Heart Pounding NYC
By Shyloh Koo
What do you think New York is?
“New York is New York. It is everyone’s dream and desire. It does not feel like a single state but a single nation, possessing massive diversity and colors. The city sometimes makes my heart pound, sometimes overwhelms me, and sometimes energizes me. It looks like a dream in the distance and it feels like a dream living inside. I think the word “New York” implies so much”- words from my friend, Ashley Cho (current student at NYU).
As many people do, I’ve always had a romantic illusion of NYC. That being said, after visiting the concrete jungle for 4 days with my best friend Ashley, I wanted to share a few snapshots of our best moments.
I visited many major tourist attractions, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Soho, Time Square, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, Central Park, Grand Central Station, and MoMA. Sitting down and starting to write though, the major reflections came from the trivial and daily corners of New York City. New York City was more than its famous places - it was made up of people and artists living and breathing in the city.
Three souls underground & Piano man
The moment I stepped onto the staircase of Union Square subway station, an overwhelming odor of urine and hot stuffy air welcomed me. I still can't forget the moment, when I encountered a band of three young men, each playing saxophone, trumpet, and drums, that made me think, 'This is New York.’ Three men in neat collared shirts and pants, sweat dripping down like rain on their faces, but never losing their smiles. Their bouncy, jazz instrumental performance filled the space with passion, delivering the motivation and the spark of life to people passing by.
When I think of the three men at Union Square Station, another musician, the unhoused man who secures the piano in Washington Square Park comes to mind. He stays with this piano every day, inviting others to come play it in front of the public. When a young woman finished playing, the elderly man sitting next to us, wearing a jacket and jeans that seemed customized with spray paint, with a Panama hat and a briefcase, sat down at the piano and started playing himself. His skilled touch of piano and jazzy voice imbued a drop of autumn mood into Washington Square Park.
The band and the man both seemed to be enjoying the present moment. They were not fancy, luxurious musicians, but their performance was genuine and full of heartfelt passion. Like these men, I witnessed art permeate every corner of the city.
Vintage Thrift
Fashion cannot be left out of the discussion of NYC. Ashley brought me into the world of vintage thrifting in Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn. It was like a treasure hunt in the mass of clothes. I found a cute 90s fur vest coat and a dark brown low-rise knit skirt with twisted ribbon detail at the front of the waistline. Even though both were very new to me, I was immediately fascinated by them. Ashley said she thinks “vintage gives character to a person who wears it.” I agree. The clothes that were presented, worn, and styled from a previous time definitely give a certain character and mood to a person.
Central Park
If I close my eyes and think of New York, I imagine Central Park. I drew a particular scene of a lake in Central Park (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir). The lake was special to me as Ashley and I stood there for over 10 minutes, just staring at the beautiful scene in front of us and listening to the jazz music from the back. Since not every aspect of Central Park can be fully portrayed through photographs, you should visit at least once to experience it for yourself.
Inside the tall, dense buildings, the air is saturated with vibrant art and people. I believe New York is a romantic coexistence within a busy and fast-paced society. It was a place that inspired my perspective of my own life. My vintage thrifting experience encouraged me to be bold in my styling and to experiment with different styles and combinations. The city's energy and art pushed me to appreciate the present moment and live it full of dreams.
If you are planning to visit NYC, please enjoy the mundane life of the city. Walk around, explore, sit down and observe the people and culture. And, don’t forget to try out vintage stores down in Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn!
