My mom always said "Be careful what you wish for, because you might get it."

For years I wanted to go on a journey with people from Europe to New York. I feel most people over here base their opinions too heavily on fiction (TV series, films, etc.) and newspaper articles (another type of fiction, most of the time). Anyway, this past Easter Holiday my dream came true and I got more than I bargained for. I went to New York with twenty-five adventurers (participants) from "Living It" Field Trip. I’m glad to say that they all returned alive, well fed, beat up from the feet up and happy, so there you go. They say "all’s well that ends well," but…I have never been so tired in my whole life! On that note, I’m off to grab some ginseng, black coffee, chocolate and a nap. I’m done in.

But I suggest you stay glued to this article if you want a real look at New York, written by and for people like you. Enjoy!

It is a city of great contrasts where the poorest people merge with the richest and there is a place for each and every one of them. There is such a wide range of cultures and languages that tourists are one more to add on. You are not seen as `a foreigner’. In NYC it hard to say who is a New Yorker and who is not (at least from the outside). You can appreciate that in the subway, where nobody pays attention to anybody and you can have breakfast, dinner, and a nap or write a book on your way to work or on your way back home in the evening. So go ahead…. nobody is going to look at you.

Shopping is another great thing to do when in the Big Apple. You can find any kind of gadget, accessories and clothing for little money, if you know where to look (thanks for the tips and advice Lindy). In my opinion, diversity, accep- tance and respect would be a good choice of words to define NYC. To sum up, try to save as much as possible to make a stop at one of the most interesting places in the States. You shouldn’t miss it!!

Sara B.

My trip to NYC was an unforgettable experience for many reasons. Not only did we visit the most famous icons of this cosmopolitan city such as The Statue of Liberty, The Empire State, Central Park, Ground Zero, Brooklyn Bridge, the so-many times photographed Manhattan skyline, Chinatown and Little Italy (both full of life and bargains of doubtful origin), 5th Avenue and its luxurious shops, Times Square, Wall Street, Central Station, The Metropolitan and the MOMA... but we also walked up, down and around the not so well-known areas of The Bronx, Brooklyn, East Village, Greenwich Village, Tribecca… Besides, as you have so many things to do and see, you never get bored. We spent our 'free' time doing things that you can’t do in Pamplona: watching an NBA match at Madison Square Garden, a musical on Broadway, a journey round NY by helicopter, eating Saturday brunch while listening to a fantastic live tribute to The Beatles, dancing with drag queens, having drinks with Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, listening to lively, live jazz while dining, shopping ‘til you drop and still having money left over…
Luis Alberto Braco

New York, What a fascinating city it is! City of contrasts in all the
senses. Very busy if
you walk along 5th avenue and quiet while enjoying music at Central Park. Friendly people, polite and easy-going, THE MELTING POT. You can meet people from all over the world. If not today, then tomorrow at Grand Central Station , on a cruise on the Hudson River, Central Park or the Empire State Building with its breathtaking views as a backdrop. When I got into the plane, I said to myself: "See you again, New York. You are worth visiting again" and I wasn’t the only one that felt like that.

Olga Miguel Menoyo

I had a love hate relationship with our walks in New York. It’s so big I was totally worn out, but it was definitely worth the effort. I was especially surprised by the Bronx and Harlem. They are nice, simple neighbourhoods, with normal people, nothing like the violence and delinquency we see in the films. But if I had to choose a neighbourhood, I’d keep Manhattan it has a charm like no place else on earth. The NBA game was a fantastic experience. The timeouts were filled with dancers, competitions, acrobats, and interactive games and prizes. It was incredible! One of the things I liked most about NYC was the subway. It’s huge, complex, runs exceptionally well and is very easy to use. The local bus also runs smooth and the bus drivers, like the rest of the New Yorkers, are very helpful and friendly.

Soledad Ayerra

Central Park is a great green oasis in the middle of Manhattan which I immediately fell in love with. One cold, sunny morning, Jon, my son., and Maddi, his cousin, and myself, went to the Park to play football. While there we saw some groups of people playing baseball and others throwing around an American football. We finally found a patch of greenery but we weren’t sure if we were allowed to play there. In the distance I saw a huge, lanky African American walking towards us. I approached him and asked in my best British accent: "Excuse me, can we play soccer here?" (I really meant "football", of course). He sort of looked at me as if to say "What planet are you from?" He finally said (literally); "Hey brother! This is New York City. Do what the hell you want, man!" And he walked off with a smile.
Michael McGrath

I was particularly struck by the museum at Ellis Island. This island is a symbol of America’s immigrant heritage. From the late 1880’s millions of immigrants had to pass through this "filter" before going on to New York and other regions of the States. Here, they were given medicals, interrogated, and so on. What caught my attention was the role of some of the interpreters who, in some cases, gave rather free translations of what they heard in order to give these new Americans a chance. The following poem came to me while looking at a faded photograph of one of these kind human beings.

Michael McGrath

The Interpreter (Ellis Island, 1903).

Deep down, I know
this man is a poor, desperate soul
who hasn’t got a leg to stand on.

His lost gaze gives him away.

Deep down I also know
these fidgeting fingers
will grip and will blister
and will certainly caress.

Walking around Times Square at night or across the Brooklyn Bridge during the day was breath taking. It was just like being in a film 16 years old and living a dream Besos NYC!

Maddi Garaizabal

Breakfast (and some dinners) at the local Diner were the best meals. There was so much variety that every day I had something completely different. The coffee is smooth and easy to drink. And, the waiters give you as many refills as you want, free! I also liked the fact that no sooner than you sat down at a table, a waiter brings over a cool glass of refreshing water. I think the different uniforms that they wear are funny, charming or unusual, depending on where you eat. In general I give NYC’s restaurants a 9 out of 10 for food and service. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is gorgeous and huge. And it looks just right, totally surrounded by skyscrapers and high rise office buildings. It was also a real treat to hear St. Patrick’s Youth Choir sing Cool!

Edurne Barcos

"Do you remember "ze arraroa euskararik gabe Nafarroa" -how estrange, Navarre without Basque-? Something lightly similar happened in New York with the English (being quite exaggerated). The people in the photo are very good English speakers, but almost couldn’t show their skills, because in spite of trying to talk in English most workers of the restaurants and bars answered in Spanish, as most of them were latin people."

Mikel

A New Yorker’s viewpoint On one hand going to New York is going home; family, friends, old haunts. But, on the other hand, when I’m there, I’m just another tourist visiting a place that captured a part of her heart and a lot of her curiosity. I return again, and again, and again, because I just can’t get enough of the ever changing Big Apple. And you know what… it just keeps getting better and better all of the time.

Lindy