Here, take a bite of The Big Apple – New York City
If there's one thing I can impart on my fellow travellers visiting The Big Apple, it's try not to see everything in one day - YOU CAN'T - especially if you're jet-lagged (and, most likely, you will be after 20+ hours of flying if you're coming from Melbourne!).
New York City is vast and it can be tempting to look at a map thinking you can ignore the fatigue and rush through it all. After falling asleep on a Downtown Big City Bus Tour, I think I've earned the right to advise against pulling an all-nighter to try and fit everything in. Take your time. Soak up the atmosphere. This city was made to be enjoyed.
The Big Apple | A nickname for the City of New York popularised in the 1920s by John J. Fitz Gerald, sports writer for the New York Morning Telegraph.
Today, over 8.4-million people call New York home (US Census Bureau, 2013). Wandering the streets in Midtown East, I couldn't help but think of how many lives, stories and secrets this city holds.
I began to wonder, here, in a sea of people could a single individual feel lost?
Absolutely.
How about insignificant?
No.
Demographically speaking, one of the most remarkable things about NYC is that it's a melting pot of different ethnicities coexisting in the one space. While English is widely spoken here, experts estimate that New York is home to over 800 languages (US Census Bureau, 2000). As one of the most linguistically diverse places on the planet, it is rather fitting that the headquarters for the United Nations – a beacon for the betterment of humanity promoting world peace, social progress and human rights – is located here. The city is a rich tapestry intricately patched together with the shared experiences of migrants hailing from all over the world. A trip Downtown will take you passed Korea Town, China Town and Little Italy (below).
On the ground, there's a sense here that each and every New Yorker has a voice. In day-to-day terms this means most people are generally friendly, but if you rub them the wrong way they won't hesitate to let you know! I'm not speaking from personal experience, but I did witness some pretty fiery street brawls – scenes reminiscent of Eddie Murphy's Coming to America – which I brought down to 7am pre-coffee road rage.
New York in late December truly is a magical place because you get to see the city ALL DRESSED UP for the HOLIDAYS! Tourists flood the streets snapping shots at buildings adorned with wreaths, bright lights and tinsel. Almost everywhere you go there are beautifully decorated Christmas trees, like this one in Byrant Park (below).
New York City | All dressed up for the holidays (December 2014).
