Nothing about New York City is simple; to say otherwise is useless. The inhabitants of this bustling metropolis do not seem to apologize for it either. But then again, why should they?
New York, New York, is a world class destination. In all likelihood, it’s the most famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) city in the world, and for good reason. It can be whatever you want it to be. That is why so many people from so many walks of life have found refuge within its congested city blocks. From egotistical socialites to street performers, Manhattan is truly a microcosm of humanity, crammed onto one of the world’s most densely populated islands.
At the risk of sounding cliché, Manhattan may very well be my favorite place in the world. At the tender age of 22, I have done my fair share of traveling the world. However, experiencing New York City was an unexpected surprise.
As I skeptically stepped off the “Fung Wah” bus that took me from Boston’s Chinatown to Manhattan’s Chinatown in less than four hours and for less than ten dollars, I was bombarded with a sensory overload of people running, taxis honking , sirens at full volume and pigeons. flutter The energy of the city enveloped me.
Catching my breath (which consisted of inhaling at least a couple of puffs of exhaust), I glanced from side to side, looking around suspiciously. With my luggage in tow, I headed down Canal Street to the nearest subway station.
New York is well known for a variety of notorious idiosyncrasies, but perhaps the most underrated would be the sweltering sauna atmosphere of subway stations on muggy summer days. I unceremoniously dropped my sweat-drenched body onto a bench available at the aforementioned station and tried unsuccessfully to regain composure and normal body temperature. I had already made a couple of wrong turns locating the subway station and I was beaten. But the saga was not over yet. Boarding the train, I quickly realized the inescapable fact that navigating the subway was not an easy ordeal.
Not wanting to give away that I wasn’t a born and bred Gothamite, I kept my subway map carefully tucked away in my carry-on bag, at first. However, after a couple more wrong moves, I finally swallowed my pride and broke the map. Seconds later I was bombarded by gruff but well meaning locals who asked me where I was trying to go. Feeling like an idiot, I sheepishly told them my intended destination. My feelings of idiocy increased when I was informed that I was not only heading downtown when I should be going uptown, but I wasn’t even in the correct lane.
This small-scale event ultimately turned out to be a liberating realization for me: New Yorkers weren’t as harsh and rude as I had always hoped. Rather, they seemed pleased to be able to help a wandering drifter like me find his way through the cacophonous Manhattan landscape. And that reinvigorated my belief in the charity of humanity.
From there, my solo trip around the Big Apple went much smoother. I no longer felt isolated and isolated. If I was looking for help or information, I would ask. And he always received an affable and accommodating response. I got tips on the best falafel carts (King of Falafel at 30th St and Broadway), the best views of the city skyline (save a couple bucks and take the free ferry to Staten Island), and youBest place to buy a Broadway ticket (don’t wait in line at Times Square; prices are higher, lines are longer, and selection is thinner. Go to the TKTS South Street Seaport booth at 199 Water Street).
It’s called the city that never sleeps for a reason. New York is hectic, busy and hectic, just like its inhabitants. But don’t let that discourage you. There are plenty of highlights scattered throughout New York City: experience Times Square at night, meander through Central Park, gaze at beautiful art performances at one of the many art museums, people-watch in Greenwich Village, and eat a hot dog. . outside Madison Square Garden. However, it is New Yorkers themselves who make the city what it is. Sure, some of them can be rude and blunt, but from my own experience… they are the highlight of this concrete jungle.