In my short stay in New York, I can confirm the rich diversity of people and culture that exists in that place.  No need to go to a restaurant or the high–end 5^th Avenue or even Broadway to feel this.  By riding the subway you easily could witness the various race, color and ethnicities present in New York.

Because of this assortment and thick individual differences, there is no one common look for a New Yorker.  Everybody looks, sounds and smells different, which is actually refreshing.  The only common character that I observed among all New Yorkers is their “walk”.  New Yorkers walk fast!  Their gait is wide.  Their stomp is strong.  Their pace is fast.  It is so fast I wonder if New Yorkers know the concept of strolling.

bow bridge at central park, a popular and common film setting (i love my shot! LOL)

But there is a spot in New York where leisurely walkers exist.  These walkers – which includes me – however are not New Yorkers but instead the mesmerized bunch of tourists of the state.  This is at the Strawberry Fields in Central Park.

Considered as Central Park’s “quiet zone” Strawberry Fields is a 2.5 hectares living memorial to singer, songwriter and Beatles member, John Lennon.  The name obviously was derived from the popular Beatles song “Strawberry Fields Forever”.  Also, the spot was chosen because of its proximity to Lennon’s home, the Dakota Apartments (where he was shot and died), which was just across the west side of Central Park.

quiet!!!

happy to know that my country endorses strawberry fields as a garden of peace

lucky neil

One focal point of Strawberry Fields is of course the “Imagine” mosaic, which is another tribute to the legend John Lennon.  My slow paced walking in the park even becomes more relaxing, peaceful and meditative when I saw and heard a musician seated on a bench, playing a guitar and was singing a Beatles song “Let It Be”.

I was just but happy to have leisurely walked the grounds of Strawberry Fields.  That part of the park indeed has “nothing to get hung about”.  It was peaceful and very relaxing.  It was one short diversion from the fast paced walking and full packed happenings I was having in New York.

Let mi teyk yu dawn, kos aym gowing tu… Dakota Harrison!