Times Square – thousands of people at 10 am

~ Milica Puric ~

Even before I saw New York I was intrigued by this city. I have heard so many stories about it, listened to so many songs, seen so many movies and series, read so many books about it… I knew I have to see it one day.

Nikola Tesla corner – downtown Manhattan, right beside beautiful Bryant Park

When my wish came true and finally came to the Big Apple everything I expected to see paled in comparison to reality. Everything was beyond any of my expectations: its streets were wider, buildings were higher, stores brighter… And its people were much friendlier than I had ever expected.

Fancy, nice looking people are relaxing in New York caffè

New York was simply beautiful! It was breath-taking! It was fascinating! And I fell immediately in love. Even more: I was enchanted.

Busy traffic, thousand of people – typical New York day

I knew, like everyone else on the planet, that the city was famous for its size, glamour, and even crime – we all have T.V.’s  and we have all seen. But, nobody told us, nor did we know how warm, generous and hospitable New York City is!

The city that never sleeps – tourists at Times Square at 8,30 pm

Maybe New York was not even close to being as clean and washed as Chicago. Its streets are full of holes, the sidewalks are patched and buildings are old, but still, in all these imperfections, New York is perfect and beautiful.  It is full of life and indeed – it is the city that doesn’t sleep.

Rockefeller plaza and the famous Paul Manship’s bronze gilded statue of Prometheus, a hero from Greek mythology, who is bringing fire to mankind

With its skyscrapers it is a symbol for American architecture, but also it reminds of Europe. It is the most European city in the U.S.

Not so glamorous, but still very unique scene from New York

New York is also a symbol of American diversity, epicenter of American art, culture,  business and a monument of human history.

The bronze statue of Mohandas Gandhi by Kantilal B. Patel, located at Union Square in Manhattan

There is also an amazing paradox of New York: you know you are in the one of the biggest cities in the world, you are well aware that you are in the largest city in the United States, but somehow you feel both at home and relaxed, you feel that you know this immense city, you feel you are in a familiar environment and everyone is pleased to see you… How surprising!!

Singing followers of Hare Krishna at Union Square in Manhattan

It is a modern Babylon where you can hear every language in the world. With widely spread arms New York City welcomes people from all over the world. As a foreigner and immigrant you feel accepted, loved, and even protected and that is very pleasant feeling.

A pianist is performing classical music in the park 

Everyone has a chance and everyone can become New Yorker just two minutes after arriving at the airport.  The city pulls you into itself and hugs you so warmly that you never want to leave  again.

Soho – art at every corner

No wonder why so many people want to live there and so many books are written, songs are composed, and movies are made about New York. It is a dynamic city filled with warm, hospitable and generous people. It is a wonderful city like no other place in the world!

The charm of Soho

Now I understand perfectly Frank Sinatra’s words: ‘I wanna wake up in the city that doesn’t sleep, New York, New York, I If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere, It’s up to you, New York, New York’…

Selling art on the street of New York

Corner of Broadway street and 6 Avenue

‘Big Bling’ Martin Puryear’s colossal sculpture in Madison square park

Impressive and beautiful New York Public Library, the second largest public library in the U.S. (behind the Library of Congress), and fourth largest in the world

Bryant Park located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and between 40th and 42nd Streets in Midtown Manhattan

Beautiful and enormous Central park – warm, pleasant and quiet oasis among skyscrapers

Morphous, a bronze sculpture in Union Square Park by South African artist Lionel Smit, features the conjoined heads of two outward-gazing young women. 

The written article and all photos are property of Urban Culture Tribe.