Walking in Manhattan

Last updated at 12:52 05 April 2005


Arriving in Manhattan, I was full of anticipation and ready to explore the island. I had done my research - and carefully constructed an itinerary of where I would go.

I would walk in central park, shop on 5th Avenue and view the bright lights of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Square. And a long time fascination for me - Chinatown was a must. In order to see and do everything I was planning to use the subway.

As luck would have it I was in New York when the transport workers went on strike. The people of Manhattan were crippled. Determined that this would not hinder my exploring I decided to conduct my sightseeing on foot and this in itself was an unanticipated blessing.

In those two days in Manhattan I 'felt' the culture of the island. I was off the tourist beaten track in a city where I thought this impossible.

Walking down from Rockefeller Square on 47th Street I passed through Greenwich Village and felt the atmosphere that had, and still does inspire many great artists and writers.

I went into a tiny Bohemian coffee shop in Soho that I discovered as I meandered along the side streets and I heard Italian in Little Italy. I reached my goal - Chinatown and bought shark fin and imported green tea.

At the end of my stay I had visited ¾ of the sights on my itinerary but I had seen a side to New York that isn't advertised in the tourist guides and a side that wouldn't have been seen on the subway.

I strongly recommend walking in Manhattan - even when the transport system is working!

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