The City from Central Park...a trigger for conversation.

To be able to sit in the peacefulness of a park and view the City from a distance is one of the great things about Central Park...or any city park for that matter. I always think about the lights that are on in the skyscrapers...how many families are at home waiting for their spouse or their mom or their dad. A city like New York never sleeps...one civilization leaves at 5:00pm and another civilization fills the void. The two passing on the freeways and sidewalks often times never stopping to inquire about each others lives...too many things to do, a timetable to keep.

One thing I have always noticed about New York however is that the people on the street for the most part do not live up to their reputations. New Yorkers like the reputation of how they live on the front edge of culture, in the know, too busy for the tourists. The stereotypical in your face, short fuse is not what I have seen. Whether it is asking for direction on the subway at 3:00am or for directions to the nearest Starbucks...they are always more than willing to help and outgoing...once you approach them. I think that is the key...the visitor makes the first move. Without that first move towards a conversation, they continue towards their destination impervious to those around them. That is just the character of a city. I respect them for it and appreciate the great New Yorkers I have met.

Dan