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Published: April 5th 2011
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New York City has always proved to be a welcoming part of returning back to the US, and why not? The amount of culture, life and energy that exists here can never truly be written about, only experienced. When I walk through bright city nights, scan the diverse yet similar crowd while riding the subway trains, even just take a walk and become confronted with the testament of what man can build after each and every street corner, it becomes easy to understand that this city is in a class of its own.
For my loyal readers who have made it past this first paragraph, I want to thank you for your dedication in wanting to share my thoughts and views of this place we all refer to as Earth. Perhaps you may ask the following, “I thought you may have died. Hasn’t it been nearly a year since you last wrote and updated your blog? Does this mean you’re back in the US?” Going in the proper order, no, yes and no. I’m glad to share the fact that life still goes on, though at times the ride seems to get pretty fast at times. Indeed, it has been a
while since I have updated my blog. My first attempt of an excuse is to say I have been busy at work, leading a school re-development process. However, given that I have supposedly traveled the world an become an educated man, should it not be obvious that if I don’t make time for what is important, like keeping in touch with family and friends, then what is the true value of any work? Thus, I take back my first excuse of working too much and return to you a much more honest man: I didn’t do a good job of sticking to what is important in my life. To be fair, I’m guessing I’m not the first human to commit such a heinous crime? Last, I am still enjoying my time in Asia, Taiwan to be more specific. I have also agreed to stay another year here at my current school to aid the process of this school going through a bit of an evolutionary period. I’ll do my best to land this school of the cover of a Time magazine issue before I leave.
‘Yes, yes, this is all great about your personal life, but isn’t this a travelblog
website and not a clinic for confessing one’s own lessons? When will you get back to New York?’ asks the slightly bored reader. Okay, I am getting back to New York, however, you should know the following: If one travels and finds no change within, then he or she hasn’t really gone anywhere. In other words, I’m getting back to New York, but thanks for listening so well thus far.
Alright, New York City proved to be as entertaining in the avenue of family fun as I had hoped. My mother had come to watch me walk for my Master’s and after we were done, we decided to spend some time in New York City and DC. To be fair, there is a vast amount to see and experience within the concrete jungle of the Big Apple, but I did condense our few days here to an amount of 51 pictures, 2 videos and 30 more minutes of my possible time left to type (better type faster). We of course went to the Statue of Liberty, perhaps my favorite part. At the statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, an American citizen can not confront the gaze of this icon and
not reflect upon the meaning of American citizenship. Thousands and thousands of people have streamed past this Lady, all with their both their own story thus far gathered, and the intention of creating a new story once they’re reached this point. I suppose to be romantic, I am no different. For all the times that I have found myself frustrated with the unnecessary complications of the American system and psyche, there is a sense of pride that I am part of a nation that pushes for democracy and liberty for all people. Notice, I did not say one that has achieved, for we still have a ways to go. However, this country has been a hallmark for freedom and tolerance. As I stood below Lady Liberty, I considered how my European ancestors must have thought as they saw the same gaze. There is a connection there, in that they have wanted to build a better life for themselves, for their family. As the time has passed, my current reflection is the culmination of my ancestors work, which in many ways, carries the American story. How my future children and their children will look upon the same icon requires myself to
highly consider what decisions and actions I want to take, in short, what will become of this Bryant American story? Only time will tell, perhaps aided a bit by this blog?
My mother and I of course went to Times Square and it became quite easy to get caught up in the buzz. Interestingly enough, one of the most memorable parts was getting my first real cheeseburger in over a year. In Asia, it’s rather a challenge to find a true American cheeseburger. In New York City, impossible feats such as this become an everyday act of overlooked greatness.
The art and culture of New York was like the amount of concrete and steel, never ending. We visited the MET and the Guggenheim, both impressive and extensive. Seeing the Impressionist works of Monet did stand out. While there were many works of Picasso, I suppose in the end, art is so often by one’s own taste (Thus, I didn’t post any of Picasso’s work, still though, respect Pablo). When it comes to art, I think my favorite of this part of the trip was of the live performing variety. My mother and I went to see a Broadway play “Race.”
As you may have hopefully guessed, it was not about cars but about people. In short, the play takes place in a Firm’s office, including the accused and his defense team. What might seem like a basic review of how one should cover a defense case of a previous lover claiming to be taken advantage of, instead turns out to be a tense yet all too enjoyable exploration of racial stereotypes that have been sown deep and allowed to fester into everyday normality’s. In other words, I couldn’t help myself to laugh at their jokes while at the same time other parts of myself worried that if there was a hell, I’m inching closing to it. The play was not really a comedy though, but beyond it’s ability to cut the tension at times (much needed), it did take the audience through some of the societies sub-conscious realms that we’re often expected to avoid. It was an enjoyable play that truly did provoke thought from myself, as who the villain and hero are can so easily be understood as a matter of perspective, depending of course, upon any racial stereotypes you may hold. Ha, even now I am enjoying my
investment of this ticket money spent. So yes, I did miss the theatre and it was a true joy to be with her once again.
As our time (and money) began to run short, my mother and I decided to move on to our next destination, Washington DC. Of course, I’ll let this adventure of the American soul continue in the next entry, which should sffer less waiting time than this entry!
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Photos represents what to expect in visiting New York City
The photos provided an overview to what can be expect when visiting the city that never sleeps.