Manhattan - The City that never sleeps

During my ten years living in New York, the city left me with a treasure chest of memories. Every time I return to Manhattan, I fall in love again with its restless heartbeat—its diversity, creativity, and the vibrant people woven into its ever-evolving fabric. It’s a place of freedom. As Sinatra crooned in “New York, New York,” if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. Living and working at the United Nations felt less like a job and more like life’s greatest classroom, where each day taught lessons no textbook could reach.

One of my favorite highlights is the High Line—a 1.45‑mile elevated park on Manhattan’s west side built atop an old freight rail line from the Meatpacking District up to 34th Street . What once carried cargo now blossoms with gardens, art, and serene pathways suspended above the city. It's a brilliant transformation—an urban gem that reimagines past infrastructure as a living public space.

I strolled the High Line before visiting the nearby Whitney Museum, waiting for Anthony to join me. The Whitney, at 99 Gansevoort Street, opened in its Renzo Piano–designed home in 2015. In the current Amy Sherald: American Sublime exhibition—on view through August 10—the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Sherald tells stories of American life through meticulously crafted portraits, including her iconic depictions of Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor, alongside lesser-known figures. Her work is nuanced, powerful, and profoundly human.

After indulging in art and conversation, we’d head to our old hangout—Pastis in the Meatpacking District. This classic French brasserie, vibrant with laughter and clinking glasses, served as the perfect end to a day filled with creativity and nostalgia. Anthony, Fabricio and I shared time together, rekindling the countless moments we once enjoyed in Manhattan.