The change from a small suburban town to a large, bustling metropolis could not be more drastic. My first impression of the city was that everyone walked at an uncomfortably rapid pace. One could easily identify a New Yorker based on his fast walking, fast talking, fast eating, fast thinking…It was clear to me that I did not fit in. Instead of being the person who shuffles up the subway escalator, I was the one who stood still, holding on to the railing. Prior to living in the city, I had regarded jaywalking as a dangerous, preposterous, and silly idea. Why can’t one just wait 15 seconds for the light to turn …show more content…
For that reason, I do not know if my perception of him was lacking or even entirely incorrect. Regardless, I found it fascinating how I was able to determine so much information about him simply through sharing the same space. By observing Nikolai, I had allowed myself to become more empathetic and became aware of my individualistic mindset. While I was aware that there are other people in the world, living their own lives, I seldom took time to think about others and remember that each person has their own story. We all meet different people, have different mindsets, and undergo different experiences. Thus, if anyone is asked to present his “life story”, it would be extremely lengthy and interesting. Nobody’s life is exactly the same; there are over seven billion “life stories” in the world--this is the beautiful diversity of life. Yet despite all our differences, I and the other regular passengers on the bus were able to form a small