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Starting from Manhattan with the "International Express", the number 7 train service, I went out to Flushing, the "real China Town", and from there through Corona Park, Jackson Heights, Ditmars Steinway and Astroria I headed back to Long Island City, walking mostly but also taking the subway a couple of times for a shorter ride. Long walk but a very nice day, a nice cross-section of northern Queens consisting of Asian, Jewish, Hispanic, South Asian, Arabic, Greek, Irish and Central-Eastern European communities. It is the most diverse area of New Yourk City, that's why the 7 trains service has the title "International Express". And my last look at NYC was also from Queens, when I entered the JFK airport.

Most tourists take the Staten Island ferry to have a free view of the Statue of Liberty, but few leave the port on the island and instead head back to Manhattan with another ferry. But it's worth to see a bit of the place, it1s very different from all other boroughs. It has more of the traditional, suburban/rural feel, with its wooden houses, picket fences and patriotic flags. Staten Island also has a long sandy beach which was almost totally deserted when we visited. From here, you can take a bus over a bridge to Brooklyn. 

You'll find the little curious bronze statues of Tom Otterness in different parts of the city, including Brooklyn and Manhattan's financial district, but his best known piece is "Life Underground" displayed in the subway. There are other notable and hidden artwork in the subway system.

We stayed in the North Bronx on Mosholu Parkway not that far from Arthur Avenue and the "real Little Italy", which is home to more tha Italians. The film The Bronx Tales was filmed here. It's a safe area, although there might be little pockets where it is not, as we almost found out walking to the Bronx Zoo. The South Bronx has the real bad reputiation, where the Yankee Stadium is, but it is said that this area has also improved a lot. 

The very different faces of the borough of Brooklyn ... Borough Park, Dumbo, Coney Island, Brighton Beach and Brooklyn Heights. 

Originally posted on July 11, 2016 New York is a fascinating city, home to many different cultures who coexist in peace. I tried to see as much as I could in the short one week I had. I know NYC is not America, but I'm grateful to at least see a bit of this place, and am hopeful that I can return some day soon and see more of the country.