A divided city is never a good thing. Right now, I feel like New York City (NYC) is going through it again. The people who are to represent the average New Yorker are at war with each other. This puts us in a position where we slow down our progress and the working class suffers. New York City has been through so much over the years. Now is the time where I want to give it a large hug. There is still a week left in February to celebrate a month of love. In opposition to the negative things taking place in government, I want to focus on some of the good things in my city. The things that keep me here instead of running away. For my city, I give you…
The Lights
At night it is always beautiful in NYC. Especially being in Manhattan Times Square. The way billboards and Broadway signs light up is a joy. Times Square has seen changes over the years with many establishments switching, but the lights is the one constant. Now that I’m getting older the crowds are not my favorite anymore. Especially when you have people stopping in the middle of the sidewalk instead of moving to the side. But, when you’re in it, it’s fun.
Broadway and Off-Broadway Shows
It can be expensive to go see Broadway show. But, trying to see a Broadway or Off-Broadway show for a matinee performance can help lower the costs. Also, if you know there’s a new show coming, buying at presale can help. I can remember being taken to my first show and it was Bring in the Noise Bring in the Funk. My next was a few years later in 2000, when I saw the Lion King. I remember like it was yesterday being close to the stage and seeing the theatrical animal stampede coming down the aisle. Since this time, I have been lucky to have seen many more shows over the years including Hell’s Kitchen and Death Becomes Her, which are two of the newest ones.
The Views
There are many tall buildings in the city whether it’s a tourist attraction or a residential building. In Manhattan the views are the same, but in the outer boroughs there have been taller buildings going up than usual changing the views a little. In Manhattan, going to the top of the Roc (Rockefeller Center) gives one of the bet 360 degree views of the city. Also, driving along the Westside or FDR highways from the North of Manhattan driving South has beautiful views. Go sit in Central or Prospect Park for a bit and you start to feel as if you are in nature away from the large buildings.
The Noise
As much as I like to travel away from my city, there’s nothing like NYC sounds. This can be the sound of an emergency service vehicle, the sounds of people walking outside your window, the sound of your neighbors music coming through the walls, or even the sound of the Ice Cream trucks in the summer. Unfortunately, there are moments in which noises come from illegal guns, but I will look past this for the purpose of speaking on the positive. NYC is a place where we live on top of each other. I came from a time when we were still more neighborly by talking and looking out for each other. We used to play outside making lots of noise as the older generation watched is. It’s these memories that bring joy to me.
The Food
New York City is a mixing pot of cultures. Whether in Manhattan or the outer boroughs, you can most definitely find a restaurant from almost any cuisine. It can be Mexican or Ethiopian food, you will find it here int this city. It can be Indian or Italian food and you will find it. Almost all cultures have one option and the joy is in being able to try food from another.
So, as I sit back and watch this dysfunction in the countdown to the Mayoral Election, I reflect. I think about the good things in my city. I hope they can get it together for the sake of us working residents.