Ferry ride and some other great things

             As I had the entire morning open I decided to my next “Must to Visit” place – the Ferry. As everything in New York, it was very easy to find it and get there. The whole idea of having such a ferry in the city seemed just crazily awesome to me. First of all, it was very convenient – every half an hour on weekdays 24 hours a day the ferry would go down to Brooklyn and back to Manhattan. Second of all, it gave an amazing view on the financial district of NYC and the Statue of Liberty. Last, but definitely not the least (especially for me being a student) the ride is free!

             To have a full and realistic picture of what exactly was happening try to imagine a pretty decent size of a crowd of business people constantly talking on the phone about the upcoming meetings and decisions, workers going back from all-night shift in Manhattan, housewives who just got finished with their first massages and manicures for today and hobos concentrated in their own thoughts about the world. All of these people were very involved in their thoughts, concentrated on things they’ve done or were about to do.              And then there was me - constantly smiling excited kid. When I got to the ferry I didn’t have a chance to sit next to the window, but the lady in front of me saw my reaction everything that has been happening and asked if I wanted to take her place which was right next to the window.

             Ferry made a leaving signal and we departed. The view I saw was truly amazing! It was absolutely breathtaking and I just couldn’t say a word. On my way here I downloaded a few songs about NYC. The self-made life soundtrack with Alicia Keys “Empire State of Mind” and PH Electro’s remix “Englishman in New York” made my trip even better.

             And then I saw the Statue. It was so gorgeous, so great and strong. Whenever you see something on pictures and in life you understand how big the difference is. Seeing this symbol of freedom and independence I somehow felt why it’s always referred as the symbol of the United States. It was truly Lady America.

             Whenever it was time to go back to Manhattan I ran to the departing ferry standing not more than 50 m from the ferry I got there on. It was a lot bigger and you could just stand on the open deck watching the water, horizon, the Statue of liberty, other boats and ferries. At one point I got a very cool feeling that I was getting to Manhattan just like the first immigrants who got here by boats from all over the world.

             Getting back home on subway I heard two Russian women talking about recent exhibitions, plays and concerts. I’ve always been very fond of art and I knew that NYC is definitely a place to be to explore a lot in this area. I introduced myself to the ladies and asked for a possible art guide advice they could give to me as a person who just got to the city.

             I made a few notes of the things they suggested and then one of the ladies asked: “Are you by some chance looking for some part-time job at the moment?”

             There definitely was some magic in this city as this woman turned out to be the owner of the gallery that was in need of the bilingual person who could sort the photos in the gallery. We decided on meeting the same day at the gallery. Not concentrated on job searching, I was discovered by the potential employer.

             I decided to get some lunch before going to work. I texted the guy I met at the morning show. I just realized how random I was talking to all of these people I’ve never met in my life. Oh well, that’s probably the only way to survive in the city where everybody is minding his/her own business.

             After exchanging a few general texts Nick, that’s was the guy’s name, offered to show me the city. Without over-analyzing  I accepted as I apparently was going to finally make a friend in the city. Crazy to me but probably not that much to people who live here, after two weeks I still haven’t met any friends here except for my roommates!

             The gallery was in the heart of Manhattan right by Central Park in Fuller’s Building. Just this fact already made me excited to start working there. All of these people walking in and out of the building were looking preppy and nice. I felt like my outfit was a little bit out of this, but I took a deep breath, put my back straight and confidently got into the elevator. I couldn’t believe how fast the elevator moved. Less than 15 seconds and I’m on the 14^th floor.

             The gallery manager, the woman I met this morning, explained me everything I was supposed to do. It definitely wasn’t anything too hard or overwhelming. And I started. Little kids playing, young woman in some deep thoughts, a couple holding each other’s hands, the views of New York City… And then I saw a huge stack of old photographs.

             ‘Stalin?’ – I asked myself shocked by how rare this photo was. However, in a few minutes I realized that most f the photographs could be characterized as rare. Russian writers, governors, the pictures of streets and squares, and (here the tears came to my eyes) I saw the pictures form the 2^nd World War. An old woman thanking a young soldier who just gave the occupied village freedom, the victory parade on Red Square, some soldiers playing the guitar and reading their girlfriends’ letters, the after-battle picture with dead soldiers on the ground – these photographs created the whole historical movie in my head, tears were unstoppable.

             I’ve always respected the veterans and knew the history, but because of the fact that in school we don’t see the actual photos that make you feel the atmosphere of that time, I never really realized the history so realistic before.

             I loved working in the gallery, as I got a chance to do what I love and get money at the same time. When I was almost asleep when I smiled to myself as my life was getting so much more stable and organized: I got a chance to get some money working in the gallery, started doing very cool things I’ve thought about for a while and finally I started meeting people!

Job in New York City

            Coming to New York City, I remembered one of my previous friend's words: 'If you're coming to NYC,there won't be a problem for you to find a job AT ALL.'

            As all people tend to believe everything they would like to believe in, I believed that without checking this information. However, it wasn't that easy at all. Especially for a youngster with no education except High School Diploma and no experience. 

            I decided to walk down the street and come in in every single place that seemed to be hiring. But every single place asked me the same question: 'How many years of experience do you have?' Neither my strong and passionate willing to work, nor my qualities were enough to get a job.

            One of my friends, who were now living in New York City, but who I found a lot earlier than these big changes in our lives, suggested me to look for
a job on Craigslist.

            - Craigslist? Sasha, you must be kidding me! What can you find there? Some sketchy invitation to massage position? 

            Sasha though insisted on looking for a job through this website. 

            - Try to look for an "open call" opportunities, - she said.

            The next day I was standing in front of the little cafe-deli-restaurant with a great promising name: Truly Healthy Manhattan Bistro. 

            I came in and asked about the post I found online. 

            - Ohh.... You need to talk to the Boss about that. 

            I got a quick interview, and in about an hour I got signed up for training. How excited I was! Even though this place definitely wasn't the place of my dreams, but it had people coming in and buying. That meant to me only one thing: I can make some money here.

            - You just need to finish a week-long training. 

            Every day I got up at 5AM to get to work for the opening, getting there on my bike all the way down from 153rd st. to 56th st. I left every day at 4-5 o'clock which wasn't too bad. As it happens in most of New York places (restaurants, cafes and etc.), I didn't make a single penny for the training doing all the work. But I was absolutely alright with that. I was on the first step of fulfilling my American Dream.