We just got back from a trip to New York for the first time, not that that is of any economical relevance to this site...in some respects. It was all we expected it to be and more so. What may or may not be of interest to anyone are a few thoughts that popped into my mind during a first hand glimpse of an American urban icon that represents all that is, was and may well be…liberty and freedom for all and hope for the future based on a rock solid constitution.

The cab fare from La Guardia to Manhattan was $70. In contrast, the fare back to the airport was $30. Okay, it was the traffic. Hustlers outside the Empire State building were selling a “fast track” express rather than what they said was a 45 minute minimum wait to the observation deck. We politely declined and got there in about fifteen minutes. The lower working classes in NY really have to hustle to eke out a living. Given the expensive environment, I wondered how the gregarious street vendor near our hotel could make it on between $100 to $150 for a long day, or the beautiful, outgoing desk clerk who took the subway in every morning, or our friendly, smiling room maid who toiled long hours for peanuts. I noticed the concerned expressions on the faces of hurried, well-dressed businessmen arriving in the mornings and their younger, determined looking counterparts leaving work at 6 pm and twisting their way through Times Square. I looked into the sad eyes of a pretty young cafeteria clerk near the Statue of Liberty and sensed despair. I chatted with a few of the ubiquitous but serious Chinese businessmen and was left with the impression they are all focused with clear-minded objectives…no different from the Chinese Environmental Engineering student who quickly befriended us in Battery Park. I believe he was working diligently and ever-so-politely to improve his language skills and learn anything he could about Canada before going back to China.

As a wide-eyed Canadian from the prairies I am awe struck at the absolute immensity and wealth that is America (from this all my past visits to the US). It is no wonder that her citizens seem to have a feeling of invincibility about their United States. It took centuries to build from the southern plantations to the estates in the upper state NY, to the Central Park Condos, to the vast transportation infrastructures and massive agricultural heft, the largest industrial complex in the world, the overwhelming military machine and alas, the once-greatest financial empire in the world. I talked to a very wise 93 year old, WW1l veteran tour guide on the Intrepid and chatted with an affable Desert Storm pilot who had been badly wounded but was proudly struggling through his day, more than happy to explain all the details of the F 16 and all the other fighter aircraft displayed on the Intrepid’s deck. There is a culture and pride in America that is palpable. People are always friendly and helpful to a fault. We felt extremely safe, welcome and comfortable whether walking the streets of Manhattan, looking like the typical lost tourists in Grand Central Station or confused bobble-heads on the double-decker tour buses that New Yorkers love to hate.

Many times I pondered to think about what the future held for each individual that comprised the mosaic of all we encountered. I empathetically wondered if they were aware of the threats that confront their lifestyles, security and even freedoms. I cursed the unspeakable evil that one could sense at ground zero and dared to think of what really destroyed the thousands of lives, goliath structures and a piece of America’s heart. There lingers a presence of grief and an unnerving loss of innocence, now stapled to that faltering but well earned air of invincibility. Americans are entering one of the most challenging eras of their existence and I wish them nothing but success and an urgent awareness of what is.

Gold might not be a bad investment.