I "heart" New York
I got here last Wednesday and it's been action packed throughout. My aunt, Dr Moyo, picked me up from the airport and I'm staying at her place in The Bronx. It's so cool being back in a busy bustling city. Police sirens and fire engines waking you you up in the middle of the night and the endless honking of horns. I quite like the idea that there's life outside the four walls I live in.It was a pleasure rediscovering public transport. Silicon Valley is way too snooty to catch onto the idea of a bus or train. Even though this is my second time being in this city, this time around I have plenty of time to really discover the small bits which make up the big apple. I met up Emman down near where he works in the financial district. We ended up having drinks at a sidewalk café on 42nd and Park opposite an entrance to Grand Central Station. I suppose the timing was perfect because I was struck by the diversity which unfolded from the masses of New Yorkers heading back to their homes - or wherever they were going. Later on we were joined by Leom and it was great catching up of life thus far.
One of my highlights so far has been the MoMA. I've never been to anything like it. I worked my way up six floors in nothing but awe. It's almost as though the exhibits build up some sort of momentum as you go up floor by floor. In many ways I was inspired to live and breathe my genius by simply observing some fine work by Warhol, or that piece by Picasso or that Dali sculpture. I had to pinch myself. Once again, little me from rag-tag country in a place so amazing. Plenty to write home about.
On Saturday MB came over from DC and we decided to go bar hopping in the East Village with a bunch of other guys. We were being shunted around by the local villagers. Quite a lot of the places were brimming with NYU students playing drinking games or chatting very loudly. We ended up at this Belgian beer place. I almost dismissed this joint as we walked in becasue it almost seemed as though we were walking into a parking lot. But such is New York where a seemingly hole-in-the-wall bar can have the ultimate ambience and an edgy but yet intellectual crowd. The Stellas began flowing and conservations were lubricated until MB and I were interrupted mid-conversation by some dude who knew what language we were conversing in: Ndebele. This guy has never been to Zim but he spent some time in Uganda which brought Emman (our dear friend from Kampala) into the convo. MB and I are from the same city. Then we met more people and more people and more people that Sunday and Monday plans were taken care of by a barbeque in Brooklyn and a picnic in Central Park.
One defining feature of this city I believe are its weird smells and littered streets. Seriously! I dont even think London is this filthy. But for some reason, I like it the way it is. Every little piece of junk and every little smell has a story to tell, kinda like the people who make up the population. Easy-going, hard-going, criminal, saint, hobo, millionaire, busker, broadway performer, cab driver, skate boarder, black, white, african, chinese, italian, irish, spanish, brazilian... I could go on and on. It's a melting pot of ginomous proportions but each story is unique and different - fitting for a city like this with a big heart.
I "heart" New York. I remember those words my taxi driver said to me last August: Welcome to New York where all you need is a dollar and dream. I'm still dreaming.
posted by mpenseli @ 10:15 AM
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