Oh wow, today was a whirlwind of history, reflection, and Wall Street weirdness! Let me take you along on our adventure — NYC style.

Our day began on a somber, powerful note at the 9/11 Museum and Memorial. I’ll be honest: nothing quite prepares you for that walk between the pools, the water cascading into those endless voids where the towers once stood. It’s haunting and beautiful, and every name etched in stone feels heavy with stories. Inside, we wandered through the exhibits, faces quiet, nerves tingling, surrounded by memories of September 11th. And somehow, even with all the heaviness, being there made me insanely grateful — for everyday moments, for ridiculous selfie ops, for surviving subway rides, and for the incredible resilience of New Yorkers.

Next stop: Trinity Church, where we traded the modern city buzz for some old-school, Founding Fathers reverence. There, nestled under the trees and in the midst of surprisingly peaceful grave markers, lies Alexander Hamilton’s grave. (Yes, THAT Hamilton: bastard, orphan, son of a—well, you know the song.)

Pushing east, we hit Wall Street. You know, the center of global capitalism, the place where fortunes are made and then lost in the time it takes for a barista to pour a latte. First up: the mighty NYSE, with its fancy columns and all those traders behind closed doors, making dramatic hand gestures we’ll never understand.

Around the corner, it got spicy: time for the Wall Street icons. First, the Resilient Girl (“Fearless Girl,” but let’s be real, she’s extra resilient to endure millions of tourists). She’s got her hands planted on her hips, chin out, facing down everything Wall Street throws at her — basically the ultimate mood for 2025.

And then it was THE Charging Bull. There he was, bronze, shiny (except for a few…uh…extra shiny spots from curious hands), and totally swole. The crowd was nuts: parents chasing kids, business bros striking power poses, and us weaving through the madness for that iconic pic. Hot tip: If you want a photo without a thousand strangers, be prepared to get creative, or just embrace the chaos.

So, what do you get when you mix memory, musical theatre geeking, and Wall Street wackiness? One unforgettable day, one tired set of legs, and about 47 questionable photos. Wouldn’t trade a single minute. NYC, you weird, wonderful treasure, you!