I have never set a foot on her soil but all of America, her people, her land, her good face, her bad face are so special to me. I want to see her, spend some time with her, know her in reality...
How eloquent...I understand how you feel..and your brought back such memories!

New York City! Brought back my longing to go there, especially at Christmas time.
New York is magical at Christmas time -- is it all the movies??? A few years back my parents and my siblings and I (along with assorted signficant others) meet up for a few days in NYC right before Christmas. My younger niece was 3 or so at the time. We went to see the Rockettes...the look on her face! when the tin soldier number came on she said "Don't shoot!" It was so cute...afterwards we went to dinner and she stood on her chair to say..."my compliments to the chef!" (Too much TV??) My sister who lives in NY knew someone so we had a backstage tour as well. Of course we went to Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Macy's, and a carriage ride in Central Park. I always try to go to Ellis Island for the museum when I'm there. My grandfather entered the US there and we had his name put on the wall.

My (now) husband wanted to see the police station from NYPD Blues (????) I got even on our honeymoon in London. I insisted on seeing the house on Eaton Square from Upstairs Downstairs!

So Chris....just DO IT!