Walking Manhattan. Ellen Levitt
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INTRODUCTION
LET’S FACE IT: When people think of New York City, most often they’re thinking of Manhattan, the most densely populated of the five boroughs that constitute this city. As a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, I bow my head in deference to Manhattan as the capital, the lifeline, the cultural core, the economic engine overall.
The Lenape Indians referred to this long, thin piece of land as Manna-hata, or “island of many hills.” During colonial times, the Dutch and then the British had control over Manhattan. Some parts sustained much damage during the American Revolution, but once the war for independence was won, New York became the first capital of the nation.
Through the years, Manhattan has been a center of commerce and finance, education and scholarship, entertainment and culture, innovation and research. It has seen destruction in the form of fires, terrorist attacks, storms, power outages, looting, and accidents of many types—car, rail, and construction among them. Meanwhile, the infrastructure of Manhattan is astounding: from bridges to alleys, skyscrapers to pop-up shops, along with commercial and residential edifices, religious and educational sites, parks and playgrounds. Automobiles, buses, trains, boats, and helicopters arrive and depart daily (but not airplanes; the nearest airports are in Queens and New Jersey).
Some walking advice:
Wherever you go, don’t be scared—but do be aware of your surroundings, as well as the time of day.
It’s always helpful to carry certain items, such as a pack of tissues (in case a bathroom stall is out of paper), a pen, a piece of identification, a small umbrella, and a few bandages (you’d be surprised how often you might need these).
Stay alert to traffic, be it cars and trucks, bikes and strollers, workers with deliveries, or distracted pedestrians.