Today I decided to go to Alphabet City to study at a cute coffee shop I heard about. I decided to walk there because that is really the only way to explore a new neighborhood in New York city. As the blocks pass slowly by you, the buildings start to morph, the demographics slowly change, and something in the air seems to change colors. Before you know it you are immersed in a new world. On Avenue A I felt like suddenly I was a local... everything touristy about New York faded away with $1 pizza, strollers, and community gardens. Then I stumbled upon Tompkins Square Park and tripped and tumbled over to it, intoxicated by the smell of grass. In the center there was a square where people could get
messages or names etched into the fabric of the ground and have it last forever. I wonder if they lasted forever...
As I left my oasis an old man played on his saxophone with a goofy, speckled smile and tightly shut eyes. The bills weighed heavily in my wallet, daring me to give in and share what I could spare. After I passed him he began playing “Over the Rainbow” and without warning my feet stopped moving and my throat bubbled with emotion. I turned around and stood transfixed as the familiar song wafted over me with nostalgic aromas. When he finished he asked, “do you know that song?” to a young woman taking pictures of him. Her words melted over my mind as I relaxed into the spanish accent that always reminds me of my ten days in Valencia. She said that she did know it and that she plays it on her Ukulele. At first I wanted to chime in and recognize all the similarities I shared with this scene in front of me...but instead I just observed bits of my worlds flirting and dancing with each other. I gave him and dollar, said thank you, and walked away.
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