My Manhatta

More than 20 years ago I drove large sightseeing buses like the ones that go back and forth to Atlantic City. I would go to JFK or LaGuardia airports and pick up new arriving flights from all over the world, Japan, Italy, Germany, Ireland, England just to mention a few. I would have to make sure the luggage was secure in the base of the bus and the interpreter was on board. We were then on our way to the hotel. 

As we would drive on the LIE, west to Manhattan over the small hill near the 69th street exit, Manhattan would come into full view in all its glory. Every busload of tourists would loudly ooohhhh and aaahhh over the Empire State building, the East River, United Nations and all the buildings we native New Yorkers take for granted. There were faces of fascination, appreciation and awe. I didn't have to speak their language to understand that the tourists enjoyed and soaked up every edgy sight: high-rise office buildings, the food, the mandatory museums, tours and other famous sites. I knew that they would go back to their countries and tell tall tales about their visit to our unique city. 

Usually the next day I would arrive at the hotel and take them on a sightseeing tour of Manhattan guided by their interpreter. We would go down to Battery Park, up to Columbus Circle all the way to a Baptist church singing show on 125^th street in Harlem and then to Sylvia's restaurant for some delicious soul food. 

One group, the sumo wrestlers from Japan, really stands out; they were huge and I had about a dozen on my bus. They were polite, gentle and bought me mango ice cream to eat as they went along with their tourist guide to see Times Square.

Living in NYC my entire life, I take for granted, the wonder and powerful effect the city has on the rest of the world and I am truly proud to live here even with all of its problems and eccentricities. Somehow as New Yorkers we always prevail and that is a wonderful role model for the rest of the world who visits us from time to time.

Georgia P.

July 2020