Death of Bin Laden

9/11 Memorial Building at WTC site

I have been considering for some time to do a post on this or not. I don't find death particularly inspiring for a post, but constructive debate is always a way forward.
But debating this topic with my boyfriend (who is American) and discussion with UK based friends has been awkward and difficult at best, for I am between two cultures, with very different perspectives.
We all know, Bin Laden was an awful man capable of such atrocity and death, I do hope the world will be a safer place without him in it.
You probably saw the clear, cheer and joy around Ground Zero- a place where people would never have celebrated again, except for such news, you may not have seen the people placing flowers on the fences of Ground Zero, and having candle light vigils giving some New Yorkers and all who were here at 9/11 some closure for the attack on the World Trade Center.
When watching US news, the focus is completely on the fact Pakistan was harbouring the evil tryant, and how great their intelligence was that killed him, giving particular commendation to the Navy Seals and to President Obama.
When watching the BBC, the focus was that International law had not been observed and that the Geneva convention had been ignored, making a mockery of all things democracy and what our people stand for. People were abhorred by footage of Americans chanting 'USA, USA!' and having street parties celebrating the death of a human being, shot in the face, unarmed, in front of relatives, however evil he may have been.

USA Flag inside the Freedom Tower construction

I've had many friends, and fellow journalists mail me, given that I am in NYC, questioning the validity of the killing, that the celebration of the people of the US shocks them. Letting down everything US and UK troops are in this war for.

Some people here feel the need to celebrate, some talk of the tanks that were in NY right after it happened and that the death, destruction and fear then is now something they can have closure on, some strangely, compare it to the UK celebrating the Royal Wedding.

With all the elation and celebration on the streets of NYC, there is another NY viewpoint; the NY Times interviewed a survivor of the attack who said that while he would be glad if Bin Laden's death meant less killing, he himself could not bring himself to be glad of another death, even if it was Bin Laden.
My UK perspective on growing up with IRA bombs all over my city, London, became a way of life. Things to be vigilant for, to continue no matter what they do, all seem to come naturally.

Freedom Tower May 2011

Blame on any particular individual or the relief when they were dead was not on offer, and it seems odd to me that people would rejoice, whilst it may be history in the making.
Obama and Cameron both say the world is a better place without him, hopefully that's true.
I am cautiously optimistic, sadly terrorism is still around... after all we're all being warned of reprisal.
I leave you with this quote, which helps prescribe how I feel, however idealistic, and pictures of the more positive future of the development pictures of the Freedom tower and the 9/11 memorial.
If you're in NY, or anywhere else, I'd be interested to hear about  your experience of these events, please comment below...

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
--Jessica Dovey and Martin Luther King, Jr

The royal wedding on American TV

The royal wedding here, was something I thought I could avoid.
I'm not a royalist by any stretch of the imagination, I liked Diana, who didn't. But not really into Monarchy, after all that's where colonialism started, and slavery.  I'm more interested in character and contribution, royal or not.
So, no-one was more surprised than me that when I woke at 5.30am and woke my boyfriend too- who called me a hypocrite as we walked to the TV to watch Will and Kate tie the knot, after all it was all happening in my hometown.
I was totally into the whole romance, the beauty and ceremony of the occasion, London looked even on the TV miles away to be in a jubilant mood, I missed home.
The American TV had been hyping it for days, and at 5.30am every channel it seemed was covering it.

Viral web images, from Sydney Morning Herald

The hundreds of inaccuracies of royal facts, the pitting of Kate on Diana, the use of the commoner word and the lack of 'value' the 'Brits place on Kate's rag's to riches story' implied, was enough to be annoying and made me feel so patriotic to want to defend even Beatrice's enormous hat!(above)
Then CNN found amusement in the hats, as the whole reason they 'got rid of the British' ages ago, both presenters declaring that they hadn't worn a hat since they were four.. humm.
I had to just laugh..after all, they all watched it, and loved it, didn't they? Just like me, and maybe you...

more thoughts of the people and lifestyle in NYC

Okay so given that 'thoughts of the people of NYC' was never meant to be an exhaustive post/list, I thought it was high time I did a part two of this post!

It's been one of the most popular read posts on this blog, and 'Ella's' comment from that post, has inspired me to update my experience now that we've been here a almost year now! Time flies!

In a year, I've had some great 'people experiences' both making friends and chatting to strangers, I've detailed this in subsequent posts.
I love that everyone is from everywhere here, you never feel like you're foreign!
I still feel NYC is very different from anywhere else in the US, this city is intense and it changes you, as a move anywhere will I guess.
Working hours are long, and holiday allocation is short- two weeks, we get five in Europe.
There is no EU to protect working hours. Sometimes that's their own ambition (like in London, I know), sometimes it's expected, sometimes necessity warrants it, but it's kinda the norm, work/life balance can be ignored, or at least messed with sometimes- this can happen in any big city, I know, London is the same for some, it just feels much more intense here.

Eat out or order in/get delivery, don't cook-space is a commodity and kitchens are tiny- a sort of afterthought-in most apartments, shopping and cooking fresh food is difficult and more expensive. Great thing here is that the supermarket will deliver your food after you have shopped for it, for about $8! No more lugging 4 or 5 plastic bags on the bus home, and they even put it into bags for you.
Washing clothes, is usually in your own home in London, but in NYC you usually drop them off to the Launderette or such service or do them in the Laundry room in the basement of your building like I do.

Of course you know how apartments are really small in Manhattan from the shock in my earlier blog posts. Noise in Manhattan is ubiquitous, all hours of the day, even in Central park.

I learned that many people have a place outside Manhattan to retreat to, else they plan on being here for a while, to establish themselves, to take what they want and need from the vibrancy that exists in a city that never sleeps, then move elsewhere, like greater New York, to settle or have kids much like Monica and Chandler in Friends. (Sorry for being cheesy-It's the closest example I could think of!) again, London is, of course, the same for some. Space and house prices being at a premium, true city tradition.

So with such intensity, I guess it is natural that some people will feel the need to let off steam, or talk loud to draw attention, or loose some politeness to just get through their day. Paitence here is a commodity.
Even if you're not looking to live here, a native New Yorker offers some advice to would-be tourists via some firm dont's in her post!  She's very sweet really:)
 
That said, I have to say, you do get used to it, I'm determined to stay a kind, civil human being, but I am no longer averse to matching someones arrogance or rudeness.
It pays off, and people seem to accept and respect it and I no longer get as offended as I used to.
I've finally found my rhythm here, I feel lucky to have this experience. The subway and buses are great to get around, it's a great city, exciting with neighbourhoods with their own distinctive persona's, much like London does.
I do enjoy the mix of people, and accessibility of things and of course.. Central Park is somewhere I couldn't be without!