New York City is exhilarating, intoxicating, thrilling, exhausting, confusing, and simply the coolest place in the world. It is all these things. You may say “Filipe, there are clearly too many emotions for one place.” But, I insist.

Today, I had two men sing to me: one was outside the Guggenheim Museum, a jazzy voice singing songs about New York, and another in the subway, an unmelodious “Don’t you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?”. Both moments are crucial elements that make up the portrait of this city.

 

Ivo and I, in search of a restroom, decide that the quickest way to find a restroom in Times Square, is by going into the nearest pub, buying a drink, and therefore earning our right to use the facilities.

Jimmy guides us past the crowded doorway and into the empty seats at the end of the bar in front of an epic photo of Jimmy and Ali. After our quick pit-stops to the washroom, we realize we’ve stumbled upon one of the coolest spots in the coolest cities.

Jimmy Glenn, who has been in the sport for around 30 years, has been the cut-man and trainer in many fights, including Ali’s. He opened up the bar to fund his gym for teens in Harlem, not to mention his induction into the boxing hall of fame, his lifetime achievement award, and the original bell used at madison square garden sitting at the end of the bar. But hey, we just needed to use the can.

 

When I think that I’ve now spent a month and a half here in NY. I don’t think about the tourist traps, the hotels I shot, or the smell of dumpster juice. I think about those priceless moments with priceless friends. If its turkish coffee with Adele, or a really long trip to the can at Jimmy’s Corner with Ivo.Its plain and simple: the people are what made this trip so awesome.