Living In New York City - A Cultural Melting Pot

New York City is the most exciting city in the world.Chinese food for dinner. The same holds true for other
This is true for many reasons - one reason being theethnic neighborhoods such as Little Italy and Spanish
diversity that can be found here. New York is home toHarlem.
all kinds of people, ranging from the rich and famous, toThere are also many annual cultural events in the city
important businessman, to students and recentthat can be found throughout the year. In September,
immigrants. People living in NYC now have come fromthere is the San Gennaro festival in Little Italy. This
every continent in the world. With over 8.2 millionfestival is usually in the last two weeks of September
residents within an area of 322 square miles, Newand is characterized by parades, street vendors, and
York City is the most densely populated major city inlots of food at the local Italian restaurants. In February,
the United States. 36 percent of the people living in thethere is a celebration of the Chinese New Year in
city are foreign-born and City hall has translators forChinatown. This celebration lasts for ten days and
150 different languages.includes parades featuring the dragon and authentic
New York City has been known as a melting pot ofChinese costumes. In March, there is the St. Patrick's
culture since the early 1900s and as this has continuedDay parade down Fifth Avenue, and in June, Fifth
through the present day, the city has become rich withAvenue is reserved for the Puerto Rican Day Parade.
different cultures. Just walking around the streets ofWhatever culture you are looking to experience, you
the city can be like walking around the halls of acan find an event for it somewhere in the city.
cultural museum. In fact, it might even be better sinceIf the idea of traveling to different ethnic neighborhoods
you're actually a part of the diversity and culture. If youand attending cultural events seems a little
are looking to experience a culture other than youroverwhelming, you can always experience the culture
own, you probably won't have to walk more than aof New York City by people watching from your own
few blocks outside of your door.neighborhood. It is always fun to spend a nice day
You can easily experience many aspects of differentsitting in a park or outdoor restaurant and watching the
cultures by going to the different ethnic neighborhoodspeople that walk by. New York is so diverse that you
that exist throughout the city. For example, if you couldare bound to see culture right in front of you.
just never afford that trip to China that you've alwaysWhether you are excited to visit all the ethnic
dreamed of, when living in New York City you can hopneighborhoods throughout the city or just want to
on a subway to Canal Street and be in Chinatown forexperience the diversity as you walk around the
just a few dollars. Of course it's not the same asstreets, New York City is the place for you. All the
actually being in China, but you can experience someculture and diversity that anyone could want can be
of the culture and maybe grab some authenticfound in NYC.