Whoa!
I'm just full of observations these days. New York is one of those places where there is so much going on, you just watch in amazement.
On the walk from the subway to the school I was walking through a park, as I'm want to do, and one rat ran past me across the path...then a second. Whoa. It also happens to be that it was in that same park that one day when I was sitting minding my own business reading a book when a rat ran past me under the bench I was on. I jumped up and stood there stunned a moment and left the park. Quite the experience.
Another thought. There seems to be no shame here. People don't seem to mind doing things in public that I would assume (but we know what happens when you assume) would be somewhat private. Guys hold hands. Men and women make out on the street. Thankfully I haven't seen any guys make out.
Interesting place. I also noticed that while people will not make eye contact, that if you do and you smile at them - they will smile back. I've also seen that babies on subways (as long that they aren't screaming) also make people smile.
Last comment for now. The other night I was walking through Penn Station or Grand Central (one of those places) and I saw an army soldier standing at one of the entrances. I think I understand that since the London bombings that the army and reserves have been stationed in these places. I was walking past him and I decided to get up enough nerve to speak to him. I went over and thanked him for serving. He sounded surprised, but thankful... I think since we have a volunteer army we must make sure to thank them. They don't hear it enough.
Comments
Hi Shira!
Haven't been to New York in years, but I always enjoyed people watching when I used to play music there.
I saw a lot of women holding hands with women when I visited China last year - het hand holding is accepted there. Sometimes leads to confusion when Chinese visit or move to the US.
I've heard that there are countries where male met hand holding is accepted... never been to one. I've also heard it rumored the US troops are told this to avoid them freaking out when being stationed in these countries. Don't know if that's true or not, though.
Posted by: Sean | September 22, 2005 11:42 AM
Come to Britain, anything goes! I've heard there are parks in London where it's not just holding hands that men are doing with men! I think it's so much nicer in the USA (maybe outside of NY City!) where everyone seems so much more conservative both in dress and behaviour.
Having said that, on the train in Denver, this black guy with gold and silver jewellery (sorry to stereotype but that's what he was wearing!)started playing hi 5 with my boys! Afterwards, Dovid commented that if we'd been in London we would have been really nervous, but in good ole Denver it was just another friendly guy!
Enjoy!
Aliza
Posted by: Aliza | September 26, 2005 5:40 AM