Chapter 8. A Love Affair with New York

Times Square and Midtown Manhattan after dusk (2007).

ISO 1600 f/2.8 1/40 16mm

New York is my only true home in this world. From a young age, I’ve always been a traveler. I lived in Switzerland and Paris, but I have always considered New York to be my city.

I grew up there from the age of 5 until I was 18, returning as a young adult for seven years during my stint at the New York Times. So I’ve spent over 20 years—more than half of my life—in New York City. It was the only anchor I ever had in terms of a home and a family.

To me, New York is the center of the earth. It’s a city that seems to be a magnet for some of the most talented people in the world. I’m not sure you can say that about any other city. Paris is a romantic city. Rome is a historical city. I think Shanghai and Beijing will be bigger, but in my opinion, New York is the epicenter of the world in terms of creative talent.