I had the opportunity of visiting NY city, its capital Albany, and a couple of other cities. There is a confusion in NY as New york is the big city in the State of New York, same name and unless you know it is confusing. NY city comprises 5 burroughs. The best known and commonly thought of as New York is the burroughs of Manhattan. The others are Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island. Queens has a large Indian and other Asian population. It is also unlike Manhattan. My first visit was way back in 1965. I had gone to USA for studies/training at the Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. One fine Friday I took Greyhound bus and reached NY late night (by my/our standards). From the Grand Central I walked to the nearby YMCA without noticing anything. Then after sometime I came down to the cafeteria for a cup of tea. Tea over I just sauntered out. I was aghast. I could not believe what my eyes were seeing. On the roads of NY Friday night was not the dead night at 1:30 AM. What I saw was a sea of humanity walking, holding hands, sometimes doing more. But the streets were full, nay jampacked. I also got onto the street and walked. Even the restaurants were open. While walking one gentleman accosted and began conversation. We walked talking quite a distance. Then he reached a ’joint’ and took me too for tea. I accompanied him though with trepidation! We spent quite sometime there. Perhaps he was a homo. I was not interested so we parted company never to meet again. But the streets of New York that night had some of the most beautiful people, women and men and it was a great unforgettable feeling being there.
I walked a lot of New York Streets including the notorious Harlem all on foot and no bad experience at all. I went to Central Park, Times Square, Guggenheim Museum (Great scene here too), statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, Downtown, famous 5th Av. Empire State Building, the subway, and what have you. I also took the walk suggested in brochures, Easter Parade for which I could not stay inspite of an Indian Cafeteria owner promising to help in all manner. I can go on and on. I visited NY several times and in different seasons including the severe winter. But bye for now.
I again had the luck to visit in 1985, though for a short time. What a change in the Broadway shops! and the crowd. Still NY is Sweet, Great and unforgettable.