New York, how we love thee…

Howdy Columbus Circle Hostel guests, bloggers and whoever else stumbled upon our blog! It’s been a while since our last entry – yeah, we’ve been busy with renovations (which I’m sure our residents have taken note of), changes and winter depression – so please, forgive us the negligence. But hey, spring is around the corner (???) so let’s start anew and put an end to our lethargy!

On a different note, let’s talk New York. I recently watched “New York, I Love You” (2009) and it inspired me to some reflections. I’m definitely not going to talk about the plot or give you a critical review but rather the way New York is captured in the film. While I’ll agree that we all weave a complicated and quite entangled web of interconnections and that it is in fact a city of chance and possibility (if you know how to act on it that is), surely it is not a Mecca of romance and love encounters (at least according to my definition of love).

Let me just put it plain and simple: amazing photography and scenery of the city just grasp your heart and remind you of why you chose to live here in the first place! I often feel like New York is one of those cities that you always want to come back to, at least for a short visit. Perhaps it’s only my own subjective opinion but there is something about this cosmopolitan city that makes it easy to feel at home away from home… One of a kind mixture of human characters, experiences, desires, cultures, agendas, goals and dreams. The different ways we pursue them and justify our actions and everyday choices. Well, even though I don’t consider “New York, I Love You” a very accurate survey of neither New Yorkers nor the human condition in general, it’ll take you on a joy ride around downtown.

From the Lower East Side, the Villages to Upper West Side (with a quick stop in Brighton Beach), it’s like taking a cab ride across the city (at least its more beautiful, well-maintained areas)! OK, I’ll agree that this slightly chaotic movie may not be the most truthful portrayal of the city and its residents since almost every character (from Natalie Portman, Christina Ricci, through Bradley Cooper, Ethan Hawke to Julie Christie) is too good-looking to be true but it certainly shows why so many of us love living here despite its undeniable dirt, congestion, overpriced everything, escalated self-esteem and confidence! Yes, we love New York and accept it with all of its flaws! If you approach the film as a worry-free, hip travel guide through Manhattan – with its neons, restaurants, delis and bars, you might come to the conclusion that your life in the Gotham city ain’t that bad after all.