Quick footsteps echoed down the sidewalk – everyone in New York always seems to be moving fast. Too fast for me, it feels. People run to their respective jobs, always rushing, and disappear into the foul smelling, gaping abyss known as the subway. Children struggle to keep up with their parents as they walk through the busy streets. Couples walk hand in hand, whispering sweet nothings to each other too quiet for outsiders to hear. Cars flood the roads with never-ending traffic, and sirens ricochet off buildings. Skyscrapers replace trees in this barren landscape of concrete and grey dust. Even the clouds hide from sight, dipping between buildings that all start to look the same.
But Manhattan surprised me.
It was much busier than I had imagined. The hustle and bustle of the city are fast-paced, and the nightlife never ends. This is something different from where I grew up where everyone appears to saunter instead of sprint and where the city seems to close its doors and pack up for the night before the clock strikes 8 pm. Everyone in New York appears to have a mission- a purpose – although what that purpose is is never entirely clear or defined. Everywhere I go, people talk loudly on mobile phones, making plans to meet whomever is on the other end at some cafe or art museum. Men in expensive suits appear to be talking to themselves about the latest ‘can’t miss’ investment or stock option and women teeter in Jimmy Choos with directed aimlessness carrying excessively large bags with tiny arms.
New York is often referred to as “the place where dreams are made of”, for some it is true, and for others, it could be where those dreams are challenged, or even where they go to die. Traces of money seeps through the streets, and the city feels luxurious in many ways. People from every culture belong to the city, sprinkling their knowledge and customs on to anyone who will take the time to stop and listen and be willing to learn.
But the city also has an edge. Everywhere I look is evidence of homelessness, and, if one looks too closely one sees the cracks in the veneer, dirt, and refuse pushed into every corner.
Hearing the local’s stories about how they came to this majestic city amazed me, so many people have experienced so many different hardships and life experiences. So many people come to New York City to experience the culture, see a broadway show or maybe come for the annual ball drop. Still, it was fascinating to talk to people who live in the city all year round who aren’t visiting and commute to work. The sky is hidden from the skyscrapers when I look above, but the sun somehow finds its way to seep through, and reflect on the buildings below…
As a kid, my grandma lived in New York, and she would tell my brother and me stories about the many things that happen in the bustling city, such as people she would run into and what it was like living in the city. She had a friend who had a hot dog stand and would go buy a hot dog every morning. The first thing that I did when I got to New York City was to try one of the infamous hot dogs, and it did live up to my grandma’s expectations.
People had always told me about their experiences in New York City, and what to do and what not to do, and my expectations were set really high, and I think they were met. Something that I always do, everywhere I go is that I collect a snow globe from every place that I visit. I knew that I had to get one from New York City. I found one with the Empire State Building, and central park in it, the confetti flakes seeped down gracefully around the globe every time I shook it. My mom took the snow globe home and placed it on my designated snow globe shelf in my room, with my other snow globes from the amazing places that I have been lucky enough to travel to. My experience in New York City was one that I will never forget, I am so grateful that I got to experience the vibrant city and everything that New York City has to offer.
I was supposed to go to New York City for my senior year trip with my mom and I, but Covid-19 happened and my heart was crushed, I had always wanted to go and see my grandma before she ended up passing because of the virus. I wanted to see her home, where she grew up, and everything that she experienced in the “city that never sleeps”. It was nice to go to her favorite coffee shop and walk around the street she lived on.
I have always enjoyed watching the ball drop every New Years on CNN from my TV screen in Canada where we are 3 hours behind, and watching all of the people share their precious moments with their families. New York is one of the busiest cities that I have ever found myself stepping foot in with so many different cultures and so many people, it was almost overwhelming at times. Especially walking through time square, it was so bright, and there were so many things happening at once. It was truly special to see where all the magic happens, and where the city comes to life…