Much more angst than Boston, and I was hoping the preconceived notions I had would not be true.
People are sort of terse, and gentility would seem only to belabor communication.
For example, the bagel store clerk told me to "focus" as he watched me in near disgust as I stared at the board trying to decide what "schmere" to put on my bagel. Other customers snap to it and order quickly, so my attempt to actually appreciate their offerings was a source of irritation for him. In general, customer service there offered fewer smiles and demanded that we simply know exactly what we want, and say it - and say it now.
I'm not complaining, since it seems cultural to get to the point, sans the warm small talk and occasional smile. Then again, I was there for four days and could simply have encountered an uncommonly number of angst-filled sales people.
I loved the city, still. Scene after scene. Color. Language. Individuality. The feeling of having to "make it." This is so unique.
Ground Zero
We peeked out of the subway station and saw unsightly fences surrounding a naked part of the skyline.
The sun was scorching at 5:30 in the afternoon, and the heat seemed to drench the mementos left on the cast-iron fence of St. Paul's church. They were objects of rememberance left behind by those who lost loved ones in the tragedy. The fence left no space for anyone to see into the yard of the church. Pictures preserved in plastic, T-shirts with letters from family, caps, rain-beaten Teddy bears, flags.
Suddenly, I embraced all uses of the American symbols - the flag, the eagle, the hues of red, white and blue. Suddenly, my cynicism about bangwagon patriotism ceased. People lost something here, and to grab onto the flag was OK. In my sadness, I will embrace a Teddy bear. And others, in a tragegy like this, will embrace symbols. That's what we do.
I walked away changed.
Back at Home
I wish I knew how to face my return. I don't know how.
Posted by ruth at August 06, 2002 10:33 PM
Comments
I love New York. I only visited once, when I was 13, but it left quite an impression on me. I don't think my heart could take living there, but the fact that there are millions who can take it, who happily (or, well, somewhat happily) do call the Big Apple home makes me proud of our country.
Your encounter at the bagel shop makes me remember the infamous "Soup Nazi," immortalized in an episode of "Seinfeld."
Posted by: Ryan on August 8, 2002 03:43 PM
Your encounter at the bagel shop makes me remember the infamous "Soup Nazi," immortalized in an episode of "Seinfeld."
Posted by: Ryan on August 8, 2002 03:43 PM
I still can't conceive the charming drug den that was Alphabet City is now gentrified, and all those porn theaters on 42nd Street? Gone, from what I hear. 10 years after I spent 9 months there, and I still miss it. Did you eat at Benny's Burrito?
Posted by: NemesisVex on August 13, 2002 07:29 PM
Posted by: NemesisVex on August 13, 2002 07:29 PM
Hey,
You know - 42nd Street was definitely cast for the broadway theater gang. To see it now, who would've known of its former charm? I think I'll have to save Benny's Burrito for next time. Cheers!
Ruth
Posted by: ruth on August 13, 2002 08:06 PM
You know - 42nd Street was definitely cast for the broadway theater gang. To see it now, who would've known of its former charm? I think I'll have to save Benny's Burrito for next time. Cheers!
Ruth
Posted by: ruth on August 13, 2002 08:06 PM
