Seeing the World in a New York Minute
Posted by valcristo on March 10, 2009
One of the most basic intuitions of mankind, to move faster than a crawl but slower than a run, is walking. This speed is completely unique to each pair of feet. The result, it gets one from point A to point B. For something that comes so naturally, literally without thinking. The destination can be almost entirely insignificant compared to the actual journey. Most walk without having to think about it, but as humans we have five senses that we will always subconsciously have active. In this innovative world, nothing seems to be in more use at a single time than the sidewalk, to accommodate the trotters of a city. We have even integrated technology to make walking an at-home pastime, the treadmill.
Manhattan, a titan of a city, extends outward occupying an entire island and extending vertically taking up heights that in the past would have been unheard of. It would obviously take nothing less than two capable feet to maneuver through this wonderful labyrinth. The City Hall area vividly illustrates the essence of New York City better than some of the more obvious sites of Manhattan. The diverse crowds, the surrounding main streets, the hidden backstreets, the near-by schools, and the Brooklyn Bridge, are all found within the City Hall area.
Emerging out of the steep staircase connected to one of Manhattan’s wonders, the subway. Light is breaking through the surrounding buildings. Taking the moment to absorb the site, you will either be the reason for a ‘traffic-jam’, or the victim of a terrible accident. The
single way that every person is the same is by every last one of them being different. This is how we are connected in Manhattan, through our individuality. A new comer could not conform to this kind of society. The diversity would not allow it. Suits of the work and work-out kind are moving by quickly. On a corner, desirable sights and sweet scents are consumed through my own nose to the point where I could taste what the vendor is selling before buying the product. This is all within sight of that top step.
A person can take their first step onto the hard pavement and begin walking. Without thinking there’s forward motion, though forward isn’t the only way to go. City life is already alive, the army of suits march down towards City Hall itself. The couples walk hand-in-hand catching the view on the way to their destination. There are people proud to wear the colors of their home country. The streets themselves are filled to capacity with a slowly moving traffic. The only wind is not that produced by the cars inching forward, but the swift pedestrians making their way through their own journey.
Up until this point I have only seen several buildings and shops, however there is now a new form of life in the area, not with flesh but with bark. Tall trees with the perfect shade of green painted into their leaves. This park sets a completely different tone, the adrenaline of time is still pulsing, but the serenity of the area, makes the seconds seem longer. I was no longer in the City I knew, but in a small forest, still with concrete, but now there was a complete change of scenery. Tourists and the small groups of friends take pictures with those in their party. Benches are set for those who wanted rest. There are many different faces and styles that grace the grounds with their appearance. I could not help but to try and look at every entity who passes by.
Across the street, again the essence of Manhattan is brought back to its lively side. Large herds of people moving in a synchronized-disarray. The bus route is present, and these long steel dragons of the city haul those who appeal to its appetite, the metro-card. Once again the elegant sites of New York shops are near-by with consumers walking in and out.
It was invisible, the side of the city that is hidden by tall buildings. The backstreets of the area. This only further contributes to depicting the essence of diversity New York City. Manhattan is not only an island with tall buildings, the stock market, Madison Square Garden, Time Square, etc. It houses the small business owners, bodegas, small clothing shops, and most importantly, different types of culture. The small pizza shop is next to the Middle Eastern restaurant. This is no longer the area with franchises but “mom and pop” stores and restaurants. If you look hard enough, you will find something from every side of the world taking home on these streets.
Turning around, back to the park, around its corner there are students walking and jogging to their classes of the near-by college. Not even moments later, the Brooklyn Bridge. At the correct times, you can witness some of the most romantic sights of the city. Bridges like this one supply New York with many of the visitors and workers. This monument of steel and pavement disappears into the horizon where it meets this city’s extensions, New York City as not just the island, but its other boroughs as well flow the life that animates the city.
In a journey, that would not take more than the recommended amount of daily exercise, through the City hall area you can get a taste of the many different sides of the world. The essence of Manhattan is hidden in many different areas of the City. Here it seems more potent to myself, a student making my way to and from school.