In our pocket of the northwest, it’s easy to feel like our dot on the map is a little bigger than it actually is. My first three hours in the Big Apple quickly put everything back into perspective.  I walked by Radio City and Carnegie Hall, watched protests at Trump Tower and saw countless Picasso, Matisse and Van Gogh paintings at the Museum of Modern Art. The venues have held the world’s greatest performers, the protesters are on TV sets across the country, and I have seen pieces like Starry Night in my textbooks since elementary school. They’re all right here, nestled amongst each other with such saturation that they hardly seem to be getting the amount of attention they deserve. I was awestruck at the history that New Yorkers pass by every day without second thought. I hope I never lose my current sense of wonder.

Thomas Rice 5/6/18