New York City Diary

Sometimes going to new places can be so overwhelming and exhausting yet fun. I have been to multiple places that offers both natural and man-made beauty, and I appreciate both.  I am the type of person who would withstand long walks in the midst of having sore feet just to get to the place I have never set foot on. I am the type of person who would endure anything as long as the path I am taking leads me to new exciting things. I am that person who will take pictures of small details just so I do not forget that they are important too and they matter. I am that person who will capture all angles of one spot so I would not miss any perspectives. I am that person who would feel upset the entire day if I did not make it to a place or an event I planned on going. Because to me, coming to an unfamiliar place is exciting and adventuresome, feeling that mystery in what is coming next is nerve-wracking but it always turn out to be memorably fun.

The long-awaited New York Trip has finally come. After the weekend, we traveled from Washington DC to New York City. It was amazing. The city that never sleeps did not give us enough sleep. Spending four days in New York is delightful yet tiresome because our schedule was tight. We had to make the most of our time to see the places we desire to see. New York is a lot different from Washington DC. It was dense, more populated, contained more trash on the streets, and it seemed like everyone was moving in fast motion. It is the kind of city where if you do not move in the same pace, you will get left behind. Despite the observations that can be seen by naked eyes, New York City is a place for visionary people. When I was looking up the buildings, all I thought about were dreams and successes. Those buildings did not just appear where they were, they were built from a flat ground. This idea is like people’s successes, New York buildings are like people who started from the low ground and worked their way up with perseverance.

The first two days consisted of informative seminars about migration. We were able to visit the Tenement Museum and the Museum of the Chinese Americans. These two places exhibited the hardships and struggles of the everyday lives of the refugees and migrants. It was demoralizing to witness how these people, who only seek for opportunities and protection, were deprived of the life they wanted. However, their optimism and faith persisted which was dignifying. The United Nations was also one of the places we visited as a group. It was a rare experience which I will always be grateful for.

One of the major highlights of my New York Trip is visiting Ground Zero or the 9/11 Memorial. To me, the whole city of New York just felt so congested but when we got to Ground Zero it was serene. I am still lost for words, still could not believe I have been to such historic and meaningful place. It was surreal.  

Although, we did not see every famous site, we felt accomplished because the places we went to were enthralling and significant. Iris, Jasna, Skye, and I went around New York City on Saturday, our only free day. We commuted to Columbia University, took the subway to see the Yankee Stadium, rode the bus to the Metropolitan Museum Art, went to Wall Street, Ground Zero, headed to Greenwich Village, and had a girls’ dinner date night. Nura and I decided to see the beauty and serenity of the High Line and then went back to the hostel to rest for a while. Later that night, all of us decided to see nearby places like the Rockefeller Center and the Radio City. On our last day, we attended the Church of the Village. This trip was a success all in all.

Julliane Osias
GBCS EYA Intern 2017
Interfaith Power & Light