Central Park: A Dream Come True
Central Park is a vast 341-hectare park that serves as the green lung of New York City. It’s world-famous and often appears in iconic films like Home Alone, When Harry Met Sally, and Maid in Manhattan. As for TV shows, Central Park is frequently the backdrop for crime scenes in series like CSI or Law and Order. Ah, Central Park (not the one in Grogol) is truly a hit! It’s been on my wish list of places to visit whenever I’m in New York.
After getting off the New York Metro, I walked in search of the park’s entrance. I was a bit confused about where to enter, so we just walked straight ahead. Suddenly, my eyes caught something—what felt like discovering a hidden treasure. I could see a row of street vendors selling used books on the sidewalk.
“Hey, my friend!” A booming voice greeted us. It was a deep, gravelly baritone. I was startled. No, it wasn’t Will Smith strolling by, though I might have gotten hysterical if it were! No, this man was just very big, and his loud voice made me wary. I started to feel like I might be tricked or hypnotized. Is there hypnosis in America, Ka? Well, I’m not sure, but I wasn’t taking any chances.
“Hey, my friend! I just wanna show you something, my friend…” He kept calling me “my friend,” though I didn’t feel like his friend at all. And for some reason, he kept getting closer to me and Imma. His behavior was suspicious, right? So I became extra cautious. This time, I gripped my camera and passport bag tightly, clutching it close. I listened to him while remaining on alert. It turned out he was just offering us a pedicab ride. We politely declined with smiles, explaining that we wanted to walk around Central Park. We’re young and healthy, so why take a pedicab when we could enjoy a walk or even jog?
We continued our journey, and a few meters later, we found the entrance to Central Park. With joyful spirits, we stepped inside the park, eager to explore. However, less than 100 meters into our walk, the wind picked up, blowing leaves around, and the smell of horse manure filled the air. Yes, horse manure—because, in addition to pedicabs, there are horse-drawn carriages that also offer rides through the park, just like in Home Alone.
Although it wasn’t yet snowing in November, the weather was already cold, and the wind was quite harsh. Imma and I exchanged glances. Without saying anything, we knew that our ambitious plan to walk through Central Park in the afternoon might leave us with sore feet, teary eyes from the cold, and frozen cheeks from the relentless wind. Our dream of walking the park seemed a little too optimistic. Haha. Unaware of our age, we quickly decided to head back to the park’s entrance and look for the big man who made us so cautious earlier.
Imma whispered, “What if he raises the price? We already turned him down.” I smiled at her whispering, knowing she didn’t realize that when it comes to bargaining with someone like me, everything is negotiable! 😛
“Hey, my frieeeend!” I shouted to get his attention. It turned out his name was Andri. He turned and smiled broadly, as if to say, “Ah, a potential passenger who almost left but came back!”
“I want to take your ride, but we don’t have much money…” I began, and his smile faded as soon as he heard my words. Hahaha. It was so typical of me, I’m sure he thought. But the bargaining continued, and this time, I laughed and called him “my friend” in return. He might think he’s the only one who can act familiar, but I can too! 😛
In the end, we agreed on a $50 tour package for six stops, including tips. I proudly patted myself on the back, realizing that my bargaining skills still come in handy. The pedicab tour was a bargain compared to the horse-drawn carriage tour, which is much more expensive. I would’ve loved to ride in a horse-drawn carriage, feeling like a princess (haha!), but my budget wouldn’t allow it. The carriage tours cost around $120 for a 20-minute ride around the park—reminding me of Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone. After some thought, though, I realized that spending more than a million rupiah for less than 30 minutes wasn’t exactly friendly to my wallet. So, the pedicab was the perfect choice.
What made the pedicab ride memorable was that I sat wrapped in a thick blanket. As I mentioned earlier, the afternoon wind was fierce, making the air quite chilly. My face felt like it might freeze from the wind. And yes, the blanket was provided by Ezy, the pedicab driver—how thoughtful. This was the first time I’d ridden in a pedicab with a blanket, and it felt both funny and strange, but also quite comfortable. An unforgettable experience!
A Childhood Dream Come True
Central Park in the fall is like a dream—an explosion of beautiful colors in the leaves. Some trees display lovely yellowing leaves, while others turn deep red or even purple. This park, right in the heart of the city, is not only beautiful but also a popular filming location for TV shows and movies. One that stands out for me is the TV series Glee. And for those who remember, the ending of AADC 2 where Rangga chases Cinta was filmed here as well! It was hard to believe as I slowly wandered through this park, passing by famous movie shooting locations. My heart soared with excitement and emotion. Wow, I was in a place that I had only ever seen on TV! I was really here, in person. I couldn’t believe it, so I had to pinch my cheek a few times. It was like bringing back the TV shows I had watched in my head, except this time I was seeing and experiencing it for real—not just watching on a 32” screen. By the way, it’s not unusual to see public displays of affection here, from hugs to passionate kisses. If you’re single and visiting, I think you might end up with a broken heart. Haha.
Things to See and Do in Central Park:
- The Balto Statue: This statue honors Balto, the Siberian Husky who ran through a snowstorm in temperatures as low as -40°C to deliver a vaccine and save the people of New York City from a diphtheria epidemic in the early 1900s.
- Bow Bridge: One must-visit spot in Central Park is Bow Bridge. This is one of the most romantic bridges in the park, so romantic that it’s often called the “Bridge of Love.” Many couples take photos or simply sit, gazing at the bridge, while others, full of energy, rent boats and row across the water. As for me, I’m more used to handling money than paddles!
I heard from our pedicab driver that many men propose to their girlfriends on this bridge. It’s truly romantic to stand there with yellow leaves falling and the breeze gently touching your face. And of course, holding hands with your loved one. It felt less like I was seeing a movie set and more like I was the star being filmed in this romantic scene!
I spent about an hour touring Central Park. An hour by pedicab, which would probably take longer on foot, especially with out-of-breath moments. But if I ever visit again, I think I’d rather walk. That way, I could soak up the busy, hurried atmosphere of New York City, yet still feel the warmth it provides, leaving a lasting impression in my soul. One hope I have is that one day, I’ll bump into a celebrity in New York. Brad Pitt, Will Smith, or even Lady Gaga would be great!