The Myths of the Big City

NEW YORK, May 17, 2009- When telling people that I was coming to New York City for three weeks, the reactions I received were not as positive as I had anticipated. Some were excited, especially my friends from school that live in New York, but most were not a pumped about the big city.

When talking about the city, there can be many negative attitudes and thoughts that are brought up. The city being dangerous and violent is one of them. Some close to me were worried about me being in the big city "all by myself," but I have learned since being here that it isn't very scary at all. It was intimidating at first for sure but not scary. All the people and the towering buildings were a lot to take in at first, but after the initial shock it became much more normal and relaxing.

Yes there is violence in the streets and it's probably not the safest to be out late at night by yourself, but isn't that true of any place? I think so. I can be in the middle of Richmond, Virginia late at night and hear a gunshot. Violence is everywhere; it's not a good thing, but it's true.

The streets of New York are the most unique I've ever seen. They overflow with thousands of people, all with different personalities and faces. I can be in one part of the city that reminds me of another place I've been, and then I can go across to a different avenue and it reminds me of something completely different. The city is so diverse, people and places, and that is one of the factors I love most about it.

I have met so many different people while being here so far, whether when I have free time or through theses masses of street interviews we are conducting. That has been one of my favorite parts of this course as I have had the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and meet so many people I would never have met before and hear their stories. My experiences here so far have also diminished the myth that says the city is full of rude people that don't talk to others on the streets.

It is different than being in a small town but that partly has to do with the increased amount of people there are in the city. In a small town people do wave more often when passing, but they also aren't in the midst of thousands of people. Through the different interviews I have had on the streets there have been some to just keep walking or not be interested, but there have also been so many genuinely nice people.

I remember Thursday night Rebecca and I went walking to try and find the old Sinatra bar Gay Talese referenced in his article "Frank Sinatra Has A Cold." We walked around the city for two and a half hours trying to find this place and ended up all the way on 58th street. Along the way we came in contact with some really nice people. This one particular couple was walking by and stopped by to ask if we would take a picture for them. We took the picture and talked to them and they continued to thank us for our help.

One of our assignments the next day was to find someone on the streets of Manhattan that seemed to have hope and ask them why. When we received the assignment I was immediately brought back to the couple we had met the previous night. They seemed to have hope in them and it shined bright in the midst of the dark night when they stood posing for their picture.

Tonight Rebecca, Tim and I went to the roof of a nearby hotel where the sight of the Empire State Building was immaculate. We enjoyed some time taking photographs, video and enjoying the scenic view. As we stood their chatting, Tim brought up a really great point that the sight set before our eyes was beautiful and some would say that the city isn't a pretty sight to see.

I would have to admit I'm probably considered a country girl considering this is the first time I have been to a city. Since being here I have caught myself numerous times looking up at the buildings and being amazed at how beautiful they are. Even tonight when we went to the top of the roof of a 25-story hotel, we saw the most beautiful sunset with a mix of pink and purple streaks.

The mountains and skies full of stars is a beautiful sight to see, but the city lights can be just as amazing. The "big city" isn't really as bad as some people may think it is. The myths aren't 100 percent accurate and sometimes it just takes a trip to the city to find out.