New York Reflections: Cigars, Finance, and Dreams in the City That Never Sleeps
The midday sun blazes down on us as Julian and I sit on the rooftop terrace of our apartment in the Sonder Battery Park building. The view is nothing short of breathtaking: the Manhattan skyline stretches before us, a concrete and glass monument to ambition and power. The Trump Building, with its unmistakable Art Deco silhouette, stands as a reminder of New York’s ever-evolving financial empire.
The women—my wife Greta and Julian’s fiancée Rosa—are off exploring the city, diving deep into their own “Sex and the City” adventure. Their tour takes them through the legendary filming locations of the show, from Carrie Bradshaw’s brownstone apartment to the stylish boutiques of the Meatpacking District. It’s their version of the New York dream, wrapped in cosmopolitan charm and nostalgia.
Julian, captivated by the architecture and history of the city, points out the landmarks surrounding us. He speaks of the Woolworth Building, once the tallest in the world, an early 20th-century marvel of neo-Gothic grandeur. Then there’s One Wall Street, exuding a refined elegance, and the imposing 40 Wall Street, now widely recognized as The Trump Building. He tells me about the origins of Wall Street itself, from the Dutch merchants who set up the first trading posts to the modern financial juggernaut where billions change hands in seconds.
The scent of rich tobacco fills the air as we light our cigars, savoring the moment. I pour us each a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid glistening in the afternoon light. Julian has crafted a makeshift ashtray from two bricks, an improvisation that somehow fits the rugged charm of the setting. The conversation drifts towards the volatility of financial markets, the promises of cryptocurrency trading, and the aspirations that brought us here.
Back in Berlin, I am a semi-professional crypto trader. But here, in the beating heart of global finance, everything feels different. The energy is intoxicating. The flashing Bloomberg terminals, the frantic phone calls, the collective roar when the market turns—it’s a different league. I can’t help but feel the pull, the magnetic allure of New York’s financial district.
This city doesn’t just exist; it pulses with life. It is relentless, unapologetic, and yet undeniably seductive. The skyline is more than a collection of buildings; it’s a symbol of endless ambition. As I look out over the Hudson River, I know one thing for certain: I will be back. Maybe as a visitor. Maybe as a trader. Maybe for good.
The sun begins its slow descent, casting golden hues across the water. The city lights start to flicker, tiny beacons of opportunity. Julian and I sit in contemplative silence, each lost in thought, absorbing the moment. The distant sounds of honking taxis, murmuring crowds, and the occasional ringing of a bell reach us like echoes of a symphony only New York can compose.
I think about the possibilities this city offers—the challenges, the rewards. Crypto markets are erratic, unpredictable, but that’s exactly what makes them so exhilarating. And here, in New York, everything feels amplified. Every trade, every risk, every decision carries weight.
Julian breaks the silence. “You know,” he says, swirling the whiskey in his glass, “this city is full of stories. Every one of these buildings has something to tell.”
I nod, smiling. “Yeah. And maybe we’re writing our own story right now.”
We clink our glasses together, the ice cubes chiming softly. In this moment, with the city buzzing beneath us and the future stretching out like an open book, anything feels possible.
As night falls, New York transforms. The day’s chaos fades into the rhythm of a city that never truly sleeps. For us, it’s time to strategize the next moves, analyze the next trades, and dream the next dreams.
New York has cast its spell on us, and we are more than willing to embrace the adventure ahead.
Maybe as visitors. Maybe as traders. Maybe forever.
