Escaping Reality

     San Francisco, California has the Golden Gate Bridge.  Keystone, South Dakota has Mount Rushmore.  Williams, Arizona has the Grand Canyon.  Yet there is no other place in the United States that can compare to New York, New York. Instead, it could be its own landmark. When asked what is a person, place or thing that is quintessentially New York, one can only draw a blank.  There is not one single thing that clearly defines this city; it is the conglomeration of an array of cultures.  This amount of diversity is what allows New York to offer the variety that it does and what characterizes the city. From the people, to the food, and entertainment New York City’s diversity is what sets it apart from any other American City.

            One cannot deny that New York truly is a melting pot.  Looking at the faces that live in New York, everything truly isn’t just white or black.  With people originating from countries such as Argentina, Bangladesh, and China to Wales, Yemen, and Zimbabwe, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that each country may hold at least one representative in Manhattan. In New York’s history, when people would come over by boat, the statue of liberty would welcome the new faces.  Lady Liberty was the symbol of freedom for immigrants.  Although the city around her has greatly changed, she continues to stand strong to give these newcomers hope.  So, people keep on settling down in the city giving a fresh new taste.

            The vast cultures that are represented in the city are what offers a range of cuisine its’ people can enjoy.  Yes, New York is most known for its everyday staples: there is nothing  that compare itself to New York Pizza, and the average New Yorker starts his/her day with a good ol’ cup-a-Joe. That’s because in New York City it’s easy to find an affordable pizza shop and one need not look too hard to uncover a Starbucks lurking around the corner.  However that same concept can be applied to the various types of food and the various venues in New York City.

            Grease truck lines some streets giving people the opportunity to have instant gratification for their insatiable thirst.  Some trucks are ethnic, offering hungry patrons’ Hal-al food, some type of meat along with rice and vegetables, or other trucks are selling American favorites, like pretzels, or hot dogs.  When more time can be given to the daily lunch hour there are small cafes and delis that don’t hit the wallet too hard, while providing a New Yorker with enough food to keep them satisfied.  As dinner nears, the options multiply.  One can head over to another chain restaurant in Times Square such as Applebee’s or Olive Garden, or find a restaurant that specializes in a certain cuisine that can only call New York home.

            Stepping aside from food, New York is just as well known for its entertainment.  Not only does New York hold several large theaters’ that are off and on Broadway, but also, New York is home to many small movie theaters as well.  Because not all of its’ residences have the money to afford to go to these outlets of entertainment, it’s easy to find free show being put on in Bryant Park or  at times, in Central Park.  The City itself often hosts “shows” of its’ own when it shuts down streets to hold a parade.  During Thanksgiving there is Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade but also the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Puerto Rican Day Parade, and St. Genaro’s Parade are a few of the more popular ones.

            There is clearly an endless degree of diversity in New York City. This can be reflected in the citizens and their day to day activities which embodies the city as a whole.  Each culture has something to offer the growing variety that makes up New York City and is not hesitant to add its’ own flavor to the mix.  As people continue to come to this island, then New York City will flourish with diversity and variety, a trait that is truly unlike any city and quintessentially New York.