As I walked through the bustling streets of New York to arrive at my destination, 66 West 12 Street, I understood the concept of palimpsest. A city that is constantly changing and making space for new stories could not have been more perfect.
The journey began as I walked over to the sidewalk and waited to cross the street, and as I stood patiently waiting for the light to change, a huge construction truck was replacing the cracked sidewalk- making space for the new asphalt. The old asphalt was being completely unearthed to make room the new roads that span across the city. I continued to walk and hear the obtrusive sounds of various construction machines screaming to be heard throughout the city.
Further down the street I came across an ancient artifact, something you would not expect to see, a payphone. Its very existence seemed out of place- as if it was there to haunt us- to warn us against its erasure from our lives. It stood as if ready to stand against its doom, but sadly its impending doom is inevitable.
As I inched closer towards my final destination I happened across a traffic control box embossed in hundreds of stickers and posters. Posters that were posted over various stickers advertising tutors, music festivals, a self awareness campaign, and various radio stations. You could see that stickers had been torn to make room for the new stickers that would be torn off in due time as well.
When I finally reached my destination which was a mere five minute walk, I realized that the only constant in this city was change. And that something will always be erased to make space for the new.
