I spent a few days last week in New York, which never fails to fascinate me. Yes, New York is uniquely American--with the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, The Empire State Building, Broadway, the U.N. Plaza and Ground Zero. And at the same time, there are many things I can't stand--crazy traffic, crowded streets, nasty smells and outrageous prices. But what always intrigues me is the people.
New York is the Brazilian taxi driver, who works seven days a week, but is buying a dry cleaning store in Sao Paulo and hopes to retire and start a family before he is 40. Or the Nigerian cabbie, talking in his native tongue on his cell phone, while he races wildly through Manhattan, wearing his driving recklessness like a badge of honor.
New York is two black guys, one with a green Yankees cap, walking slowly down the sidewalk, talking loudly and profanely, as if all the world was their audience. Or the woman in a business suit carrying a briefcase and walking rapidly through the crowd, eyes straight ahead, confident that a path through the bodies will be opened up if she refuses to break stride.
New York is an Iranian woman who says she is "Persian," or a white guy who must quickly tell you he's Italian.
New York is a sanitation worker who loads garbage in his truck with a swagger, or a bearded African-American wearing a beret, with serious intent, carrying around a Norman Mailer novel that might be too big for his satchel; or two guys with skinny-legged jeans and nouveau haircuts that now must wear rainbow scarves to distinguish themselves from all the straight guys dressing metrosexual.
New York is Japanese businessmen looking serious, architectural students looking up, and fashion-model women looking glamorous.
New York is a street musician chanting in an unknown tongue, a hot dog vendor yelling to a friend across the street, or a taxi driver honking madly at the car in front, which has paused a nanosecond too long at the light.
New York is everyone and New York is no one. New York is people who will be happy to give you their opinions on Rudy Giuliani, terrorism or the New York Yankees, but are clearly irritated if you ask them for directions.
New York is eight million people living a world apart; a third foreign-born, speaking 170 languages and all in endless pursuit of love, happiness and a good-paying job. That's life in New York, and everywhere else as well.
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