In a New York state of mind
Have you ever dreamt of leading a band of a thousand bagpipers, followed by several battalions of marching soldiers and some hundred baton twirling cheerleaders, while massive crowds were cheering you on?
Probably not, but today I actually lived this crazy dream at the huge New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade.
It happened when I found myself walking down the middle of Fifth Avenue next to Eric Adams, the recently elected mayor of the city
(Sidebar to Danish readers: While a Danish mayor will hardly be recognized outside city council - a NYC mayor is a mega powerwatt celebrity, who is constantly appearing everywhere like a political Energizer Bunny - always surrounded by huge crowds of helpers, security people and hangers-on)
Anyway. Truth be told - it wasn't just Eric and me marching in front of the parade!
I had followed some fellow journalists through the heavily guarded police barricades and now my colleagues were busy at work all around us
I felt as if I were at the very center of attention of the roaring masses standing along the sidewalks
All the many thousands of us were actually part of history being made, as we were the very first huge NYC gathering since covid closed down the city in the early spring of 2020.
You could see it in all the happy faces: New York is back!!!
And so are Rita and I - back into the world after staying put inside Europe for more than two years
The next several weeks, we will be living in our favorite city, once again experiencing the Empire state of mind! In the words of Jay-Z: The big lights will inspire you. These streets will make you feel brand-new. There's nothing you can't do, now you're in New York!!!!
Tonight the thing we CAN do is having a couple of pints of Guinness at the Irish pub just around the corner, while some local bagpipers are skirling through the night of Saint Patrick.
Cheers mate!
Brilliant! How great to be back in the world and what better way to do it than an NYC/Irish combo.
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