Day 5 - NASDAQ Closing Bell
Oct 21, 2024
Today was a day filled with anticipation and unforgettable experiences. It began at 9 a.m., when Gian-Luca visited our house to discuss a special workshop we will be organizing for Tenafly High School in the coming days. The workshop aims to introduce students to what we do, but more on that in future posts.
After our meeting, we spent the morning preparing for the workshop, gathering materials and organizing our ideas. By noon, we were ready to head out and explore more of New York City. We took the subway to 59th Street – Columbus Circle, where we stopped for lunch at Shake Shack inside the shopping center. The burgers lived up to their reputation, and it was a perfect fuel-up for what lay ahead.
With some free time before our next big event, we decided to wander through Central Park. The atmosphere was lively, filled with people enjoying the autumn sunshine, squirrels darting between trees, and horse-drawn carriages offering rides. We took it all in, relaxed, and savored the moments of calm in the bustling city. Around 2 p.m., we made our way to Times Square, the vibrant heart of the city, where we were about to experience something truly special.
Our afternoon highlight was visiting NASDAQ, one of the world’s most famous stock exchanges. As we arrived, the energy was palpable. Quinn Gordinier, a Senior Marketing Associate at NASDAQ, welcomed us warmly. The anticipation built as we approached the time for the closing bell ceremony. An iconic moment in the financial world. Being in the room as the market officially closed for the day was a surreal experience. The bell rang, and we could feel the weight of its significance as the room started to cheer.
After the ceremony, we had the privilege of standing on the podium for a group photo, capturing the moment forever. Stepping outside into Times Square, we were given a special opportunity to take more photos in a restricted area in front of the NASDAQ building. It was incredible to stand in such a prominent location, feeling like a part of the action.
After the NASDAQ visit, our group split up. While Adrian, Noè, Gian-Luca, and Diego headed off to explore, a few of us stayed behind to enjoy more time in Times Square, taking additional photos in our elegant attire.
Later, we returned home to change into more casual clothing, ready to dive into the SoHo district, known for its shopping and iconic brands. We browsed the high-end stores, stopping by the impressive Nike building, which even boasts a basketball court on the top floor. The whole area felt lively and stylish, a testament to New York’s fashion-forward culture.
As the day wound down, we found ourselves craving something warm and hearty, so we made our way to a ramen restaurant to close out the day with a delicious meal.
