With a population of 8,405,837 people, New York City is one of the most fascinating places I have ever lived. Have you ever been? If you haven't, it all starts downtown in Wall Street. The buildings are as high as clouds, most of them made out of glass; they reflect the ever present sunlight and the few clouds passing by. Suited men walk the street. Rushed. Most of them with briefcases, we assume they’re brokers; contributing to the city’s economy. Yellow taxis everywhere. Tourists look up at the sky, fascinated by the grandeur of the architecture around. No delis. No clothing stores. No restaurants.
The financial district consists of two things; skyscrapers and Starbucks. The coffee shop appears as a shining beacon in the twilight of a seven o'clock morning. A permanent smell of coffee lingers in the air. Queues increase as the rush of busy bankers try to combat their sleep deprivation.
Suddenly, fourtwenty-five in the afternoon, the caffeine wears off and a massive crash replaces the energetic feeling in the workplace. We take the R train uptown. We arrive near Battery Park and the Brooklyn Bridge. Williamsburg and Dumbo are visible on the other side of the river. Hipster. Both areas preserving the vintage atmosphere with cobble stone streets and coffee shops around every corner. In a moment of peace, you realise the skyline sits in front of you. As you sip your coffee, it waits to engulf you once more - into "the city that never sleeps".
Further north (still on the subway), with $2.50 each way and usually 20 minutes of a bumpy ride; we wait for the delayed ‘6’ train. We sit on wooden chairs provided for elders, lazy and pregnant people. We wait. Screeching noises close upon us. The metal transportation opens its doors. The icy feeling of the AC reaches us. Most seats are taken. Rush hour never fails to catch up to you when in need of a seat. So we stand. Ignoring the cluster of people around the doors, we wait for a rough start which will jerk our body back. You either have good enough reflexes to catch the nearest pole or end up on the floor with six strangers there to help you up.
Supported, this feeling is ever so present on the streets and public transportation. Strangers, tourists, deli owners, everyone is there for you in a time of need (I know this through personal experience). We get off. The crowd of people is unbearable. As you wipe a drop of sweat off your forehead, you start feeling claustrophobic. The smell of roasted peanuts fills the air we breathe. Hundreds of muffled conversations. All merge as one to form a constant buzz in our ears; everyone gets used to it sooner or later.
Crowded escalator. It takes about a minute and 30 seconds to rise above ground. The sunlight hits our pupil. It retracts and adjusts as we swipe out of the subway. Lights and Taxis. Finally - Times Square 42nd Street is just around the corner.
