A morning in Manhattan!

On my first weekend in New York, I was out all Saturday evening, then stayed up all night long mingling with my Fulbright colleagues and also doing assignments, so by the time it was 7:00 AM, I was already exhausted and cannot wait to get into bed, but instead, I had to get dressed and meet my mother who made it to New York city just to say goodbye before she leaves the States back to Palestine, I surely wouldn’t have missed that opportunity. I left Manhattan Campus around 9:00 AM alone myself for the first time in the States, heading to the 5^th Avenue. I was kind of worried but also excited to go by public transportation all by myself. I used google map to know the optimal direction, made sure to write it down and I took it from there!

It was one of the hot and cloudy days, which I cannot tell whether it is going to rain or it will get even hotter.  I started walking and crossed the first intersection when  I suddenly saw an old man taking off his pants in the middle of the street, I was kind of confused as this is not a normal act in my country and was not sure if it is so in the States. Anyhow, on my way to Fulton Subway station which was the one I was supposed to head to, I was asked couple of times for directions by random people and I had this huge smile on my face for being able to direct them easily! Oh yes, I was very proud of myself. Those who tried getting on trains with me can tell how horrible I am with the directions! I consider this an  achievement for me!

I was walking knowing I am getting closer to Fulton Station when I suddenly  saw policemen here and there asking us to walk the other way round as there was a dead body on the street, he seemed like a homeless guy in his 40s, that was the first real shock I face here, because from where I come from, Palestine, I have seen people being shot and killed by Israelis infront of my eyes, but I would never see in my country a dead body of someone who lost his/her life for hunger or cold. This scene distracted me to the extent that I suddenly found myself near South Park! I had to turn back as I really had no idea what other nearby stations can get me to my next destination!

After almost an hour, I managed to make it safely to the 5^th Avenue, I start walking with my mother and sister as we got to Lexington Avenue to find the various booths selling anything we can imagine! I was amazingly surprised with the atmosphere, the music, people, the booths and the dance! That was a nice walk which had fueled me back with the positive energy needed. By the time it was 14:00 I had to say the goodbyes to mom and headed back to the campus to the begin Queens Experience!