The Day a Bikini-Clad Model Sprinted Past Me in Times Square

After YouTube expanded its monetization program to everyone, I made a conscious effort to start creating and posting good content.

I had absolutely no experience editing or posting videos. However, I figured my travels would naturally give me plenty of organic material to work with.

So far, I’ve had some decent success posting videos of airplane takeoffs and landings, especially in more exotic locations.

But my most successful video happened completely by accident.

I had just stepped off the subway in Times Square and was walking uptown when a light drizzle began to fall.

I don't mind the rain, so I didn't think much of it. Plus, I was completely preoccupied listening to my iPod.

Suddenly, a shockingly tall woman in a bikini sprinted right past me.

Naturally, this caught my attention. It’s not every day you see a woman over six feet tall dashing through Midtown in swimwear.

Strangely enough, she was running alongside a guy wearing a full tuxedo and sunglasses.

As it turned out, a professional photoshoot was underway right behind me. The model was running to escape the sudden downpour.

As she flew past, I could see her hair and makeup were completely flawless. She had clearly spent hours in a stylist's chair to look that way.

If her makeup got ruined by the rain, it would likely destroy the entire day's shoot.

With the YouTube monetization program fresh in my mind, I quickly whipped out my digital camera and started recording.

By this point, the model was ahead of me, booking it toward the shelter of a nearby construction scaffolding.

Once she reached the dry sanctuary, she found herself trapped in front of the massive crowds of Times Square.

Many of them were out-of-town tourists who were absolutely thrilled to see a real model in the flesh.

Everyone began snapping photos of the model and her tuxedo-clad sidekick. The duo just stood there uncomfortably, completely stranded by the weather.

That night, I uploaded the clip to YouTube and went to bed.

The next morning, I was shocked to find it already had 84 views!

While the traffic has leveled off since then, it remains my most popular upload—and a "viral" success compared to the rest of my channel.

The experience really reinforced my view that the most successful content on YouTube is often completely random and unplanned.

Believe me, whenever I'm walking the streets of NYC now, my eyes are always peeled for the next accidental hit.

Enjoy the video!

Times Square at 5 AM: The Side of NYC Tourists Never See

We’ve all seen movies featuring an eerie, post-apocalyptic Times Square.

Whether it's Will Smith hunting deer in I Am Legend or Tom Cruise sprinting through a deserted plaza in Vanilla Sky, Hollywood loves to empty out the "Crossroads of the World" after a natural disaster or zombie outbreak.

In real life, though? It’s never truly empty.

I used to work nearby and walked through Times Square every single night on my commute home. Leaving late was routine, but the area was always reliable for a late-night fix.

No matter how late it got, you could count on Starbucks, McDonald’s, or a 24-hour gourmet deli for a quick bite.

These days, I don't work in the neighborhood anymore, and I try to avoid Times Square whenever possible.

Gawking tourists are easily the most frustrating part. They stand completely frozen in the middle of a packed sidewalk, holding up cameras or smartphones, while native New Yorkers desperately try to weave around them to make their next meeting on time.

Last week, though, I found myself back in Times Square for the first time in ages.

I’d spent the night barhopping across Manhattan—starting with craft cocktails in the East Village and eventually ending up at a karaoke spot in K-Town. By the time 4:00 AM struck, I needed a dose of cool night air to revive myself.

I walked up to Times Square, knowing the 24-hour Starbucks would have a fresh, piping-hot cup of Pike Place coffee waiting for me.

With my coffee in hand, I grabbed a seat in the pedestrian plaza around 5:15 AM.

Mayor Bloomberg’s decision a few years ago to block off Broadway traffic and put out lawn chairs felt controversial at first, but at 5:00 in the morning, it's absolute genius.

While the plaza wasn't completely deserted, it was serenely, beautifully quiet. A true 5:00 AM motley crew filled the metal folding chairs around me: local homeless resting, late-night partygoers sobering up before taking the subway home, early-bird tourists taking advantage of the quiet, and the first corporate warriors grabbing coffee before starting their day.

The towering neon billboards flickered above us, shining brightly for almost no audience at all.

It was at that exact moment I decided to stand up, pull out my camera, and film a complete 360-degree sweep of the entire square.

I hope you enjoy the video! If you’re ever visiting New York City, skip the midday rush at least once and visit Times Square during the off-hours.

Sitting in the middle of Manhattan during that quiet pre-dawn hush is a completely euphoric feeling.

Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan NYC

Trapped in 1989: The Airline Flying with a Cold War Map

Traveling to Eastern Europe last month, I got an immediate burst of Old World nostalgia from the seatback flight map. It was straight out of 1989—before the fall of the Iron Curtain!

The first thing that jumped out at me was the distinct border encircling West Berlin. Upon closer inspection, I realized East and West Germany were still split down the middle.

The post-Soviet nations of Eastern Europe didn't exist yet on this display. Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova were all swallowed up inside one massive "Soviet Union" border.

Yugoslavia was still intact, meaning modern nations like Serbia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia were nowhere to be found. Czechoslovakia hadn't experienced its "Velvet Divorce" either—it was still firmly anchored in Moscow's orbit.

It blew my mind that any modern carrier, especially an Eastern European airline, would still be using a map like this. The plane was older, sure, but a map update is a rounding error in an airline's operating budget!

While other passengers were visibly shocked and appalled, I couldn't help but smile.

With the benefit of hindsight, it was incredible to look at that frozen snapshot of history and remember how much things have improved since.

I’ll probably never see a flight map like that again on a commercial flight. But honestly? I wouldn't mind if I did.

Poka!

What Happens When You Check a Walking Stick as Luggage?

You’re sitting comfortably in your seat, waiting for the boarding door to close. Life is good as you pop open a bottle of water and settle in for a smooth flight.

Then, you glance out the window.

There's a baggage handler manhandling your suitcase, throwing it onto the conveyer belt like a sack of dog food—completely oblivious to the fragile valuables packed inside.

It’s a classic travel nightmare. But a few weeks ago, I got to see the complete opposite side of the spectrum.

While standing around the carousel waiting for my luggage to arrive, my fellow travelers and I were treated to an unbelievable sight.

Out came a bare walking stick. No box, no wrapping—just a checked baggage sticker slapped straight onto the wood, spinning around the belt for all to see.

Everyone around the carousel started laughing. But the baggage handler stationed nearby was visibly annoyed.

He shook his head, grabbed the stick, and tossed it to the side with a clear look of "Who on earth checked this in?"

Shortly after, our ride arrived, so we had to head out. But I couldn't stop wondering about the story behind that walking stick.

Was the owner an elderly traveler who didn't actually need it for the flight? Or maybe a collector who snagged a rare antique and had no other way to get it home?

Unfortunately, we’ll never know the truth. But one thing is for sure—traveling always finds a way to surprise you when you least expect it.

I’ve Visited Bishkek 20 Times—Here Is My Favorite Thing About It

Someone just asked me what I enjoy most about traveling to Kyrgyzstan.

That’s a tough question because it’s so open-ended!

But after visiting Bishkek nearly 20 times over the last five years, my answer is clear:

I love the parks. 🌳

It might sound random, but Bishkek’s parks are unlike anywhere else I’ve been.

First, the trees are massive. They’re easily a century old and tower over everything, keeping the city cool on hot summer days.

Second, the life in them is incredible. In many US parks, you mostly see empty lawns. Bishkek’s parks are bursting with energy! You see kids playing, couples walking hand-in-hand, and grandparents sharing ice cream.

Even though they haven’t been fully maintained since Soviet times, that’s part of their rustic charm. Fountains leak and monuments crumble, but people are always smiling.

Between the fresh air, bird song, and happy energy, they are the ultimate city refuge. ✨

Bishkek Wedding Palace - Soviet Architecture

An American Salute for a Soviet WWII Veteran in Kyrgyzstan

A moment of deep respect and gratitude for the sacrifice and service of this Kyrgyz Red Army veteran.

I was at a Memorial Day celebration in Boston last month when I noticed a group of World War II Navy veterans hanging out together.

They were all in remarkably good health, laughing and swapping stories about life aboard their ship amidst the chaos of war. Proud of their service, each wore an identical navy blue hat embroidered with "USS Massachusetts."

That sight immediately brought back a memory from a trip to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the year before.

While walking through one of Bishkek’s lush parks, I crossed paths with a Soviet Red Army veteran. Judging by his appearance, he was an ethnic Kyrgyz man who had served when Kyrgyzstan was still a Soviet Republic. He looked to be in his late 80s or early 90s.

He made a striking impression: a charcoal gray suit, white sneakers, and a top hat. Though the suit hung a bit baggy on his aging frame, he looked exceptionally distinguished. What truly caught my eye, however, was the array of Soviet service medals pinned across his chest.

Fascinated, I walked over to introduce myself.

Although he likely spoke Kyrgyz in addition to Russian, we didn't share a common language. Fortunately, he was with his son—a man in his 40s who spoke a bit of English and acted as our translator.

The old veteran was delighted to explain what his decorations meant and happily posed for a photo. One medal featured Lenin’s profile, suggesting he may have been a war hero and highly decorated officer.

At first, he assumed I was British. But when I mentioned I was American, his eyes lit up. I realized I was likely the first American he had spoken to in decades.

Before parting ways, we shared a warm handshake, and I gave him a respectful salute for good measure.

Standing in Massachusetts watching those Navy veterans, my mind drifted back to that park in Bishkek. I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if those old allies from different corners of the globe could sit down together. What stories would they trade?

Judging by the warmth I received in Kyrgyzstan, I know he would have loved sharing his war experiences with American veterans.

As a 30-year-old carrying no emotional weight from World War II or the Cold War, I would have given anything to sit in on that conversation. Would there be tension? Debate? Laughter? A shared toast?

We can only imagine—but the thought alone made my day.

M. Frunze - Soviet Army Officer, Red Army, USSR

Kyrgyzstan Visa on Arrival: What Happened When I Landed in Bishkek

Since my last post, I got a message asking about visa procedures for entering Kyrgyzstan. I’m glad somebody asked, because I went through plenty of needless uncertainty on my trip as well.

Here’s the bottom line: If you're a citizen of the United States or most of Western Europe, you can purchase a visa on arrival at Manas Airport. You don’t need to visit the consulate ahead of time.

The Airport Drama

My last visit to Bishkek was in November, transiting through Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. While boarding the flight, a representative checked passports and visas.

Since another American and I hadn't pre-purchased visas at a consulate, the representative looked shocked and worried we wouldn't be allowed into the country. After trying to explain that we planned to buy our visas at Manas, she made a quick phone call. Following some back-and-forth, she finally let us board.

Needless to say, this made me a bit nervous. Kyrgyz immigration agents don’t have the most stellar reputation for honesty, and I worried they might try to exploit the situation.

Smooth Sailing at Manas

Fortunately, I was stressing over nothing. The immigration procedure itself was surprisingly smooth.

I walked up to the visa desk, handed over my passport, and received a short form to fill out. Once finished, the official barely glanced at it—she didn't even seem to care what I had written.

I paid the fee in US dollars and moved on to the main immigration officer. He was a bit theatrical, holding my passport photo right next to my face for a dramatic comparison. After a solid 45 seconds of staring, he stamped my passport.

After picking up my baggage, customs agents randomly selected one bag for the X-ray machine. They didn't bother searching it, and I was officially on my way. Let the vacation begin!

Official State Department Guidelines

Here is the exact language regarding tourist visas for Kyrgyzstan, according to the U.S. State Department (remember to check current updates directly with the source):

“ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: A passport and a visa are required. U.S. citizens can obtain a one-month single-entry, non-extendable tourist visa upon arrival at the Manas International Airport outside Bishkek for a fee of $80 without invitation or sponsorship. If purchasing a visa at the airport, at least one blank passport page is required. Travelers cannot obtain tourist visas at land borders or regional airports.”

— U.S. State Department

Lenin Statue, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan