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| Chairs for everyone to use all! :D |
Today was a lazy day. I woke up much later than I thought I would... I ended up waking up around 10:50am, which is probably the latest I've ever slept in here in New York. Seriously. I could not believe how late I woke up but it was good. It meant that it was going to be a good lazy day. I called my dad to wish him a happy fathers day, kind of putt-ted around the apartment for a bit and then headed out.
Today I was going to go to an event called Egg creams and Egg tarts which was supposed to be an event where there was a huge amalgamation of Chinese, Jewish and Puerto Rican culture. I was really excited to see what it was like - especially because it is like a melding of all these different cultures, identities and foods to be put together.
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| A place to borrow board games/games |
Since it was a lazy day, I decided to walk all the way down to Chinatown (which is by the Manhattan bridge) from where I live (which is by Grand Central Station). It was a pretty good idea.
I went out and on my way, I tried to hit as many stops as possible, so I started off by walking through Bryant Park.
Bryant park always makes me feel so happy because it is just such a good and positive park. There's so much to do, there's so much going on and I've never ever once seen it not full. As I walked by, I saw that there was an area to go and actually trade your ID card or library card for a board game! So at 11 in the morning, I saw people sitting by tables under umbrellas playing monopoly, Settlers of Catan and so many other games! I really do love it, not only do they
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| Found Chuck Shumer, the New York Senator |
have a place for people to borrow and play games (which my friends who pay to play games would kill for) but they also have a place to borrow books on the other side (same day return).
The park itself is so amazing and there's just so much to do (they do movie nights, Shakespeare, dancing, settlers of Catan, and so many more events) and so much behind it. It is my favourite park in the city. Keeps you busy.
And you know what they say, keeping busy keeps you out of trouble!
I kept walking down the street to head to downtown and passed by this group of people who were crowding around this man who was talking on the camera.
I had no idea who he was, but there was a body guard beside him and a camera facing him with media reporters taking down notes.
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| Found another market. These markets are how I feed myself. |
I wandered over to take a look and since everyone was taking a photo with him, I thought "why not?"Shumer, a democrat and one of two the Senators of New York State.'
and grabbed a photo with him. Welp. Photo with a random person, not the first time this has happened. I sent it over to a friend who is American and lo and behold, apparently I had taken a photo with Chuck
Well then. I met a very powerful and well-respected man today.
I kept walking on my way and ended up walking down to Madison Square Park, which is another favourite of mine, where they have music and a playground so that kids can play. It is quite a beautiful park.
I headed down to Union Square park afterwards (I am such a sucker for parks so this was the perfect city for me). Unfortunately, I was quite sad to see that the Market that is usually there was not there this morning, but I was happy to see that there was a different market there instead, where they were roasting foods and goods and giving out free samples
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| Beautiful place to sit and relax |
(again).
I kept walking down, enjoying my views and turning any which way I kind of pleased to get down to Chinatown and the event.
When I finally got there, it was PACKED. Wow. There were so many people even though it was so hot out! People were out lining up to try the plates of dumplings, empanadas and other stuff, kids were at tents learning to make Puerto Rican fans, decorating kippahs and just having fun in general.
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| Manhattan Bridge. |
It was amazing. it was just this beautiful amalgamation of all these different cultures and identities that may seem very different from all over the world coming together as one. It was a great way to expose children to these differences and instead of having it divide them, to unite them and familiarize them. It was just such an amazing event to promote acceptance and understanding rather than tolerance and ignorance. I loved it a lot. I really wish there were more events like this that combined all these different groups, cultures and ideologies. Especially with so many tents that are specifically for kids to learn and understand about other cultures, it really promotes this wonderful buzz of difference. I hope Canada or at the very least Toronto (or Ottawa), will start doing events like this to show the differences but all the similarities as well!
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| Little Italy is usually closed on the weekends so that people can walk and eat on the streets |
After the event, I went into a Synagogue for the first time and was able to really explore and see what it was like. It was a great learning experience - just to see how the building was built outside and what it looked like was eye opening.
Afterwards, I walked around for a little bit more, but I was so hot and sweaty from the weather outside as well as walking for over an hour! I passed by the Manhattan Bridge for the first time (it is quite nice, very imposing.
I headed over to this place called "Fried Dumplings" to pick up a pack of 30 dumplings for $6. Which, yes is a lot, but it is handmade and I get to support a local business (even if they yell at me and make me cry in Mandarin).
I started my long walk back home, taking in the sights, trying to pass by as many things as possible and seeing how beautiful the buildings were.
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| Making empanadas and dumplings. |
When I finally got home, I grabbed my dirty laundry and washed it all up and hung it around my area to dry (since it was such a hot day, I figured, why not? It's better for the environment and I could spend that money on two slices of pizza).
I briefly met up with my roommate before she took the puppy dog out for dinner and then worked the rest of the night on the blog!
Honestly, I am so behind on this thing, I'm trying to say yes and live life to the fullest and oh my god is this blog is kind of taking the brunt of it... woops. At least I have fun stories to tell!
