Real Life Learning in NYC

I am fortunate enough to live a short train ride from New York City. Even though I’ve been to NYC millions of times, yesterday’s cultural journey proved to be more enlightening than I would have ever imagined.

The first stop on my whirlwind tour was the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. We spent most of our time in the American modern and contemporary wing with artists like Cassat and Monnet. While am I certainly not an art guru, I enjoyed seeing the paintings I studied come to life. It amazed me how some scenes looked and felt so real; that time evaded these pieces. My favorite part of course was the rooftop garden because of the amazing view of the city. It was breathtaking.

After a quick stop in the Theater District, we made our way to the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy. Blocks and blocks of Italian food including mozzarella sandwiches, fried calamari (squid), cannolis and zeppoles stood in front of me. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was even better. I couldn’t help but notice that there wasn’t any real PR effort put in to the festival. Granted, it is an annual tradition that has been occurring for decades. But I couldn’t help but wonder if just a social media presence would have enhanced that festival experience for its patrons. Certainly, a hashtag could have generated a more organized discussion about which vendors were the best along with other conversations. A virtual map on the website would have helped attendees plan their route along the crowded streets beforehand. Regardless of all of this, the festival was still a great experience and I plan on going back.

The San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy.

It was nice to take a day to explore different parts of my city. I didn’t realize how enriching of an experience my Saturday had become. I saw pieces of history at the Met and celebrated my culture at the San Gennaro Festival. I find it very important to always keep learning and yesterday was the perfect way to learn more about the city I love.

Tagged: Broadway, Culture, Little Italy, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, San Gennaro Festival