Caswell Simpson
Professor: Mary Louise Penaz
English 2150
9 March 2009
“Love for the Heart of the City”
My specific route that sparks an ongoing experience for me is walking from Baruch College to Union Square. After a long day loaded with school work, I find it most relaxing to embrace this wonderful city by walking down Lexington & 23rd street to 14th street – Union Square. This particular journey creates a quintessential New York experience by bringing together different aspects of New York culture.
From the perspective of a tourist, New Yorkers may give off an impression that their surroundings mean nothing to them. From their bumps and shoves, to their aggressive speed, only with the destination in mind. Often the relationship between walking and thinking can open up an interactive experience with your surroundings.
Walking to Union Square creates a thrilling rush. While walking each city block is loaded with several attractions that catch my eyes. From fast food restaurants to fine cuisine, but the anticipation of entering my own private New York City awaits just nine blocks ahead. What creates the thrilling rush isn’t the actual Journey but it is the lack of expectations at Union Square.The anticipation hightens midway. I start to reminisce my childhood when my mother used to pull up to the parking lot of Toys “R” Us. Suddenly, the tiresome journey that once lacked it luster excites me and forces me to walk faster. My body begins to feel numb ,disregarding the pain my legs feel from walking. Eventually, I reach within two blocks of Union Square and I can already hear the uproars of everyday New Yorkers among the car horns. Desperate to join them, my curiosity draws me within footsteps of the city’s heartbeat. Once I enter into the square of excitement, I am bombarded with flyers and pamphlets. Finally, my curiosity is laid to rest only to rise again the next time.
Union Square always attracts different individuals regardless of the weather. Union Square is a popular spot for organizations and groups looking to raise awareness for a cause. The Farmers Market which premiers seasonally, is a hot spot for New York State as well as New York City rooftop farmers to get together and sell their crops. The Market sets up shop there because as local farmers they are concerned with gaining the support of the local public. Union Square, although it is filled with stores such as Forever 21, Barnes & Noble, Starbucks and other popular stores caters mostly to the needs of in-state residents as oppose to out of state tourists. Other groups visit Union Square to find participants that will engage in psychological studies as well as join groups that allow people to screen movies. Union Square is a key locations for political activists and other groups to come and make speeches.
After every visit to Union Square a take a slice of the City with me. On many occasions I leave with a basket of fresh fruits and vegetables, provided by local farmers. If my stomach is already satisfied, then I leave Union Square with a new opportunity to engage into an issue that concerns New Yorkers and help to something positive regarding that issue. But after every visit a smile and a mindful of memories is taken back home only to be repeated soon again.
After living in the city for all of my life, this journey still manages to reconnect me to who I am. This journey exposes me to the lifestyle of everyday New Yorkers with vast cultures, which I would have not known existed.
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