New York is a city that has had a great impact on the history of the United States as well as that of the whole world.
First there was the great depression that began with the dizzying fall of the New York Stock Exchange in 1929. The rise of Nazism in Germany caused a great emigration of German Jews to the United States, they arrived in New York, passing by the Statue of Liberty, which was for them the expression of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Many different nationalities live in New York, and in this sense it can also look like several cities in England or other European countries. Obviously, the Manhattan neighbourhood is quite different, because its centre is occupied by very tall buildings.
The people of New York work a lot, often late at night, on weekends, and there are not many holidays in the United States. Many shops and restaurants are open 24 hours a day, non stop. All places are very clean, especially the toilets, because the maintenance staff can work day and night. It is quite different from what can sometimes be found in Europe.
The cost of living in New York is very high (groceries, restaurants, transport, taxis, rents …), so to live properly you have to work a lot. The inhabitants consume many organic and vegan products. I did not meet many obese people there. Many people go jogging, walking or cycling, especially in Central Park. There are many police officers, especially in public places like museums, railway stations, and the airport. It is likely that after 11 September 2001, the strengthening of security became the main priority. At the site where the two towers fell, under the impact of the two planes piloted by terrorists, there remains a basement with a black stone where are engraved all the names of those who perished there. It is very sombre as a place, with respect for all the victims.
I visited the Museum of Modern Art, where there is a large collection of abstract art. I was particularly impressed by a huge Jackson Pollock painting. I felt the expression of freedom and all the dynamic energy of this country. If in Europe, on a relatively small territory, one can find many different states side by side, with different languages, customs and values, in this immense territory one speaks only English. If there are slight different accents depending on the region where they live, everyone understands each other. This is obviously not the case in Europe. It is perhaps also this difference that has provoked many wars between the countries of Europe.
Abstract art can be interpreted as one wants, according to the personality of each one, it is thus a freedom of choice which corresponds well to the American spirit. In everything it is very important to keep an open mind with a great sense of freedom. If one is imposed or forced, it is difficult to express oneself freely. In the practice of shiatsu it is also important to have a freedom of feeling. With this spirit of freedom, our intuition to feel the other person develops and we can find the feeling of empathy towards the other person. This is the key to helping others who are sick, or whose energy is blocked.
