Have you watched the MV for Big Bang's Blue? When the bus approached NYC, I recall Big Bang's Blue. Its lonely streets and racing around on the rooftops in freedom, just like the rooftops in the photo below.  Running running, running somewhere.. free?

I felt isolated from the world in Uconn, in a good way.  Being trapped on this campus, far far away from home.  Students get the opportunity to immerse entirely in school culture and lifestyle. No distractions from... worldly matters.  It renders us oblivious, but it is only this once our lifetime, that we relish in studenthood. Its surreal.  The Uconn campus is their World.  I feel alone, learning all about the World, and about Myself.

Somehow, as the bus approached NYC, it seems as though civilisation revives.  Its ironic that I began to realise how pretty Connecticut and the campus is.  Well, suburbs and counties are always more warm and welcoming right?  I enact the mental scene where I ride on the Taxi from Changi Airport back Home in several months' time, seeing the HDB Flats again... How would it feel?

The streets of Harlem are so distinct from my memory of New York City.  I have never witnessed Harlem before.  People say its dangerous; the Police told my seniors who once wondered nearby Harlem " Dont enter the Park, if you enter it, you will never return!" Here, the streets are grey and gloomy, dark graffiti stained. The streets brimmed and are lined with the major ethnicity of the area.  As I look upon them being concentrated in this area, I began to wonder if this is result of discrimination within USA that disadvantages and segregates them from the rest of the Americans.  The beggars, the smokers, children with braid hair playing with foam sheets along the pavement, in elation.  Its really an eye-opener to observe the way the World goes by before your eyes... It felt... chaotic in Harlem.  It bears this 'power' that they own the area - this part of NYC - intruders prohibited. Do not trample on their territory.  Maybe if someone like me walked on the streets alongside them, I'd be the odd one out instantaneously.

That evening, there was a jam on the road as I watched Harlem.  That day had to drizzle, adding to the gloom :X juxtaposed against the skyscrapers in NYC when Harlem distanced as the bus carried on.  If I were a reporter, I wanna live their lives for a short while, to interact with this community and learn their hardships, gain the sense of pride of their ownership of the place. Probably I would have to dress up to blend myself in?
I dont know. It doesnt feel safe but stereotypism about them is way too strong. There's still alot I do not know about this community - or rather, I know yet nothing about them.