New York City: The thought of going there formed knots in my stomach which tightened and tightened as the time drew nearer and the minutes ticked away.
My expectation of NYC were really the same as any there city. I recall thinking that i was being collected in a car from the airport! i also asked a colleague to leave me at the airport for my return to homebase because his flight was later ( and he had a car)
for all the fears and apprehension i had about the place, NYC turned out to be nice.
well , actually it is nothing and everything. in one way it is cold, indifferent , individualistic, intimidating and contained. in another way it is welcoming, challenging , freeing , accepting and contagious. Nothing makes sense and anything goes.
i spent 3 day s there, 2 of which were very much by myself. I was always alone but never felt lonely. Theres a heartbeat t which NYC pulses and soon as i tuned to it, i was hopping between subways , catching meals on the go, waving down taxi's, rushing, rushing and rushing.
on Saturday morning i finally got a tour of uptown NYC; Harlem , Bronx, Central park and the theatre district. On TV we aways see it as a dangerous place, the Bronx that is. It has actually changed and is really safe( def safe compared to home )
Central Park lks lovely. Its surrounded by the wealthier people of Harlem and is thus used as such( my opinion). Thes rich people include the likes of many Hollywood stars.
throughout my tour, I was reminded of how many different cultures are represented in NYC. Mexicans, Germans, Chinese, Italians, Africans (from all over Africa i guess) and of curse Indians( the native red-Indians of America)
NYC used t be owned by these Indian people who called it Manna Hatta ( something t do with the mountains of what is nw call Manhattan). It was sold for $24 in the beginning of the 19th century to the Dutch( I think). Today only the name Manhattan reminds one ( if you know the history) of its roots. Its such a mix of people and cultures , even its architecture is diverse that n0thing can be called "UNIQUELY AMERICAN" except the bright lights and sleepless character of the place.
In NYC its really difficult nt to fit in. Everyone comes from a lineage of expats and everyone is welcome. Hobos and rock stars share the same street sin a harmony quite unlike in many other cities. i guess that's the beauty f NYC.
President Obama studied at the Columbia university in the city. He shared the subway with many people. I doubt he shared his dreams and aspirations . Like many others, I experienced the solitude f the city. Where your neighbour could be anyone but who cares!
I guess that's the arrogance if NYC.
Its the perfect contradiction.
My expectation of NYC were really the same as any there city. I recall thinking that i was being collected in a car from the airport! i also asked a colleague to leave me at the airport for my return to homebase because his flight was later ( and he had a car)
for all the fears and apprehension i had about the place, NYC turned out to be nice.
well , actually it is nothing and everything. in one way it is cold, indifferent , individualistic, intimidating and contained. in another way it is welcoming, challenging , freeing , accepting and contagious. Nothing makes sense and anything goes.
i spent 3 day s there, 2 of which were very much by myself. I was always alone but never felt lonely. Theres a heartbeat t which NYC pulses and soon as i tuned to it, i was hopping between subways , catching meals on the go, waving down taxi's, rushing, rushing and rushing.
on Saturday morning i finally got a tour of uptown NYC; Harlem , Bronx, Central park and the theatre district. On TV we aways see it as a dangerous place, the Bronx that is. It has actually changed and is really safe( def safe compared to home )
Central Park lks lovely. Its surrounded by the wealthier people of Harlem and is thus used as such( my opinion). Thes rich people include the likes of many Hollywood stars.
throughout my tour, I was reminded of how many different cultures are represented in NYC. Mexicans, Germans, Chinese, Italians, Africans (from all over Africa i guess) and of curse Indians( the native red-Indians of America)
NYC used t be owned by these Indian people who called it Manna Hatta ( something t do with the mountains of what is nw call Manhattan). It was sold for $24 in the beginning of the 19th century to the Dutch( I think). Today only the name Manhattan reminds one ( if you know the history) of its roots. Its such a mix of people and cultures , even its architecture is diverse that n0thing can be called "UNIQUELY AMERICAN" except the bright lights and sleepless character of the place.
In NYC its really difficult nt to fit in. Everyone comes from a lineage of expats and everyone is welcome. Hobos and rock stars share the same street sin a harmony quite unlike in many other cities. i guess that's the beauty f NYC.
President Obama studied at the Columbia university in the city. He shared the subway with many people. I doubt he shared his dreams and aspirations . Like many others, I experienced the solitude f the city. Where your neighbour could be anyone but who cares!
I guess that's the arrogance if NYC.
Its the perfect contradiction.
