I spent a long time thinking about how to describe New York. The lyrics of this song will do it better than I ever could.

In New York,

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of

There's nothin' you can't do

Now you're in New York

These streets will make you feel brand new

Big lights will inspire you

Let's hear it for New York

(View from the Empire State Building)

This city has managed to fit almost every country in the world within itself. New York is an international mecca for immigrants. They arrive in such a new, brilliant world and still find reflections of their homeland within it. Finding myself in Koreatown, I was struck by the similarity of the district to Seoul: the streets, the shops, the cafes, and let's be honest—the people speaking a language so familiar to me. We didn't have enough time to get to the famous Russian Brighton Beach. But from Dovlatov's stories, I already had some idea of this piece of the USSR in America. We'll visit that next time.

I think for many, this is the city you want to return to again and again for something new, because it is impossible to know it in its entirety. In the sense that the rhythm of life in New York mesmerizes and consumes you at first glance. And you realize—this is love!

(Central Park)

The generation born in the nineties grew up on American movies, sweets, and toys. I spent New Year's with Kevin, who was "Home Alone," my favorite treat was a Snickers bar, and a Barbie doll was a coveted gift for any holiday. We know thousands of times more about American culture, landmarks, and language than Americans know about us. "You're Russian? So where is your vodka?"—that was the most common question addressed to us.

Therefore, almost all the main sights of New York were no surprise; they were etched in my memory since childhood and were mandatory to visit. Flying into New York, from the porthole window, I could make out Manhattan—these stone jungles with a heart of a green oasis—Central Park. From that altitude, the view takes your breath away. I had tears of excitement. Apparently, American culture has influenced us, the children of perestroika, so strongly that it was impossible to stop the emotions from meeting the city of dreams.

(Empire State Building observation deck)

In the "Big Apple," we decided to find accommodation through Couchsurfing again. This time we stayed in Manhattan in a dorm room, with a student from Columbia University (which, by the way, is part of the famous Ivy League). He didn't have much space, so we slept on the floor. Of course, it doesn't compare to king-size beds in Miami, but this is MANHATTAN and it's FREE. Such a combination is worth a stiff back!

Our host Daniel took us to Times Square on the very first day. And it was the perfect place to start our acquaintance with New York. Advertising billboards, dizzying storefronts, thousands of people in the exact same delight at the crazy energy in this square. A constantly bustling crowd, singers and beggars, street food, honking taxis, hundreds of cameras, flashes. You feel this atmosphere with all your senses and you really enjoy it!

(Street beggar under the window of the luxury department store "Saks")

After the "Crossroads of the World," Daniel took us to a diner that looked ordinary at first glance, "Toms Restaurant" in the Columbia University area. It turned out that this restaurant was famous for its frequent visitor—Barack Obama. In his student years, he regularly visited this establishment. They say he often dropped by in the morning after student parties. In addition to the current US President, many stars from the Walk of Fame have visited this restaurant, as evidenced by their autographed portraits hanging on the wall. Oh yes, most importantly—this restaurant is very cheap and delicious!

There are many places like this in New York. Here is the fountain from the main opening credits of the TV series "Friends," there is that very shop from "Breakfast at Tiffany's," or the Empire State Building with its almost living King Kong. America has become a huge film set for Hollywood movies for us. The most common phrase among tourists here is: "Take a picture of me!"

(Grand Central Terminal. Veronika got a rare, successful shot of newlyweds)

(King Kong turned out to be alive—an actor was sitting in the costume and scaring all the visitors to the Empire State Building)

(Fountain where the main characters splash around in the opening credits of the TV series "Friends")

(Memorial at the site of the Twin Towers)

And we saw so much more in New York. And much remained unexplored. And there is much I haven't told you:

how I ended up in a local American newspaper;

how we got soaked under Niagara Falls;

running around a museum in Washington in search of the Tyrannosaurus Rex from the movie "Night at the Museum";

recording a song with an 80s rock star who now writes music and works as a chef in a restaurant. Many fun and interesting stories happened to me, Veronika, and Kristina this summer.

Surely every J-1 student should write their own memoirs after an American summer. Yours will be different, no less interesting and amazing, unique in its own way, and memorable in every way. Go for it and don't be afraid of anything, even the police!