Consumption and friendliness

Welcome to the United States of America

JFK Airport New York. A queue at passport control like at Disney Land on the latest roller coaster. Only missing the sign '2 hours from here'. Well, a video from the soon-to-be President Obama welcomed me warmly during the wait and reminded me of what a great country I am about to enter. Motor of innovation, industry, and entertainment and one of the friendliest people in the world. Friendship and respect were promised to me. The English people behind me commented, 'Don't you think that's a little sarcastic?' I wonder if Trump will also record a welcome video?
By the way, I'm not alone on this trip, Schorsch II is accompanying me, Schorsch I should be familiar to most of you from my birthday. 

So what do you do on your first day? Visit a Mexican and finally eat Chilaquiles again. They are nachos cooked in tomato sauce with cheese and meat. The Mexicans know how to make them. Accompanied by Champurrado, which is hot chocolate with cornmeal (yes, really!), milk, and spices. Listening to the Mexican television talking about how concerned the Latin American world is about the current political development. But even the poor reporter couldn't explain why 50% of Cubans also voted for Trump.
It's just something special. You turn a corner and suddenly Jewish men in long black coats, those funny sideburns, and a kippah on their heads appear everywhere. There are school buses in Hebrew and later I find out that I passed by the rabbinical school. At the next corner, you can hear Mariachi music. Then, I'm in the birthplace of hipsterism. Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg. There are Herschel and Fjallraven Kanken backpacks, cut-off jeans, skateboards, and Matcha Latte. 

First attempt at coffee: a cappuccino is ordered. The huge barista machine promises a lot... möööööp failed. The Americans just can't make a decent coffee. At the International House of Pancakes, they serve a whole pot, which doesn't make things better. I will keep trying. But they can make pumpkin muffins with roasted pumpkin seeds and oatmeal, and pancakes with bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns.

Then I see it... the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center. Hallelujah... or maybe not. It looks surprisingly small in its skyscraper environment, everything is full of people, and where is the tranquility? Saks department store tries to contribute with a light show to the music from Home Alone. A real culture shock. All in all, the lights are neither beautiful nor create an atmosphere. It's just over the top.
I can't get over this commerce and consumption, New York is a pure bubble. And so, on the second day, completely overwhelmed by my pancakes, I wonder who actually lives here? A 1-bedroom apartment costs $6000, and even if it were half, who lives in Manhattan?? And where does my waiter Stephen live, and how long does it take him to get to work? I have the feeling that the people here are bombarded with stimuli and the fact that they probably have to work 20 hours a day, that they have neither time nor space to think. But, Mr. Obama is truly right, the Americans are friendly. Not only superficially, but truly kind. A little chat here, a thank you and excuse me there, have a nice day and enjoy your meal. And they are not annoyed, neither when the subway doesn't run, nor when tourists are in their way. You really have to give them that.