I haven’t got much time to post today but before I head off to Connecticut for my dear friend’s wedding, I wanted to write about how much I love Central Park. Now, that probably isn’t a very original thing to say. I guess most people love Central Park or at least those who’ve had the good fortune to visit it. I’ve decided, however, that originality is overrated so here I am with my Ode to Central Park.

View across the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

I love the fact that it’s so large and so diverse, both in terms of nature and people. I guess in that respect it satisfies two sides of my personality – my love of nature and my love of people. While I love the outdoors and the countryside, I also love the hustle and bustle of cities and I’m a big fan of people watching. I feel at peace in the countryside and in nature, but I love the energy I get from being part of a crowd. I like to get away from it all but I also like to be where the action is. And that’s what Central Park seems to offer – an opportunity to get away from it all but at the same time to be where the action is. It has both, all in one beautiful package.

Central Park has been an oasis this week, particularly as the weather has got warmer, although it was just as beautiful in the drizzle earlier in the week. I’ve found myself yearning for some time in the park every day, especially if I’ve been dodging the masses of people in Manhattan’s busy mid-town. As soon as I hit Central Park, I can relax again. It seems to bring me to my senses.

That’s not to say there aren’t masses of people in Central Park, but that’s part of its beauty. And there seems to be space enough for everyone. Yesterday, a friend and I shared a large patch of grass in Central Park with a party of small children who were playing tug-of-war, screaming and cheering like crazy. On the other side of us, there was a young mother with two cute twins and a small dog. And a little further away, there were two girls sat deep in conversation, one of them wiping tears from her eyes.

There are so many characters in Central Park too, and I’m sure every one of those characters has a fascinating story to tell. As an avid people watcher and a storyteller, I’d love to know the story behind the elderly men who are still dragging themselves around the running track, their bodies twisted. I’d love to know the story behind the smartly dressed women crossing the park on their way to work. And I’d love to know what was making that young girl cry.

Boating in Central Park

But, as I don’t and I’m short of time to write today (after spending several hours in Central Park), I’ll get on with the next chapter of my own story.

Connecticut, here we come.