The Travellist Issue 4 | Page 47

Spotlight Destination | Emma Matsuda Before arriving in Manhattan I’d written a long list of galleries, attractions and landmarks I wanted to see – however, the best way to experience New York is to simply wander, and to soak in the craziness. Even the subway stations can be a really interesting place. They’re dingy, have stained walls and grime, and resident to almost always a jazz band or busker of some sort. And also, rats. In New York, people aren’t pretentious. There is so much cultural diversity, poverty, lack of education, and political injustice that, quite frankly, there’s no room for pretension. It’s not like Australia where you go to Fitzroy or Northcote in Melbourne and everywhere you look there are well dressed people with smug attitudes and time to kill. No, New York is real (as in, ghetto). Most people wear sneakers and denim, or casual wear. No one pays attention to you. It’s great, and at other times lonely. There are so many different types of people packed into one place, it’s almost overwhelming. New Yorkers also don’t like to stall. You’d better know what you want to order when you go to purchase your bagel or coffee, or otherwise you’ll be told how much time you’re taking! Note: Be especially wary of this in Grand Central Station. Issue 4, 2016 | The Travellist 45