For the outsider, New York is a city of myths with images created partly by American movies, partly by the stories of travelers. It is a diverse and complex place which helps create these myths. Here are some suggestions travelers hear before coming to NY: "You must never go out after 6:00 p.m.;"
"If you are going on the subway, you'd better take off your wedding ring;"
"Don't talk to anybody, don't look at anybody in their eyes;" "Don't ask directions from anybody except the police." Most people probably heard the following information, "Buildings are so tall that you can't see the sky."
No, NY is not that bad. First of all, four boroughs of the city other than Manhattan are quite flat, and many New Yorkers are pretty friendly. But do not expect the unreasonable; you will not get a seat on the subway at rush-hour when, it seems, all 8 million people are trying to get to work or home. And if you use your common sense, like you would in any metropolitan city, and do not get off the subway in a neighborhood you have no idea about and decide to take a walk on lonely streets at 3:00 a.m. in the morning you will be safe.
There are so many good things to say about this city but unfortunately people find scary stories more entertaining than pleasant facts. For example, NY is like a minimized world model; you can meet someone from any part of the world. After work, people retire to neighborhoods which can be West Indian, Arab, Jewish, Hispanic, Asian and so on. If there is a positive side to this separation it is the fact that you cross a street or turn a corner to find yourself in a different country with its language, music, grocery stores and restaurants. You can taste a variety of cuisine from Tibetan to Portuguese, from Turkish to Kenyan.
Immigrants of course make up a large percentage in the city. Some are here to be Americans, whereas, others have plans to go back "next year." Usually though, every year plans are postponed for another year, whether to pay the credit card bills or to save some more for the future business in the homeland. One has to work hard here to keep up with the expenses. Saving is difficult with such hard-to-resist ads and commercials. Besides, year-round discounts and convenient payment plans make it only harder not to buy the things you need, or think you need.
Immigrants have brought a wealth of culture and entrepreneurial spirit to NY. And, there is a kind of immigration which has helped this city excel in the field of science: the brain drain. Understandably, researchers and scientists come here for better conditions to conduct their studies. At graduate school professors expect students to read several experts, then analyze the data and ideas and finally, create their own outcomes based on
their research. It is remarkably different from, " You are responsible from page 170 to page 400." Also, people of all ages start or return to college.
Is there a more inspiring environment than a classroom where grandparents and teenagers study together, share notes and discuss research results?
What is even better is that, to continue learning university education is not the only option. There are countless courses and seminars to attend whether in the fields of work, hobby or self improvement. Here are some examples: How to Create Magical Spells and Powerful Potions, How to Marry Rich, How to Become an Electronic Daytrader. It is as astounding as it sounds.
Bookworms will love this part. Some bookstores are open until midnight and allow their customers to sit and read, do homework, even sleep in cushy armchairs. One can literally spend all day in such a store with innumerable magazines and books on topics you can not even imagine. While sipping your coffee and eating your sandwich in the bookstore cafe, you can live the different lives books have to offer. Did I say it was Heaven?
The city is exciting, interesting and so on, but once you turn your eyes away from the skyline or down from the skyscrapers and look at individuals, you see we are all human beings living our numbered days. Whether on Broadway between 95th and 96th Streets or in a town on the Black Sea shore we have a lot in common: "School is open, the child needs new sneakers;"
"Will I ever find the right person?" "What is the purpose in life?"... Sound familiar?
Firuze Yener - New York