New York City

I booked this trip after signing up for an in-person writing night with Gotham Writing. Before I knew I was moving back to Chicago. Before I knew it was the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Before the Knicks made the NBA finals.

Not sure when I'll make it back, I wanted to say goodbye to the city properly.

So in addition to the writing night,

I squeezed in two Broadway shows—Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) and Fear of 13.

I visited McSorley's Old Ale House, New York City's oldest bar, established in 1854.

I waved a flag with thousands of others at the Puerto Rican Day Parade.

And I celebrated a Knicks championship, clinking drinks and singing "New York, New York" with strangers in Times Square.

And in case you're wondering, I left with a new essay too.