Massive apartments and houses pack against each other, cars fill up every congested street, towering buildings cover the view of the sky, people loudly talk amongst one another in their own native languages, and murals and holiday decorations look back at you when you cross the roads of Jersey City. Vibrant. Busy. Diverse.

The city is a haven and mix of liveliness and emptiness. Abandoned buildings sit on weak grounds, loudly echoing the voices of people passing by. People sit alone on the staircases of their apartment buildings, drinking or smoking, faces blank, while others argue about finding parking on the overcrowded roads. This contrasts the beautiful sights of buildings with lights peeking from within them, brightening the streets, and the boats sail gracefully on the waters and the sounds of people laughing happily eating food at restaurants and stores.

After living in this city for my entire childhood, it was only until recently I found such a breathtaking view of the city that wipes away the messy and disorderly aspects of it from my memory. If you look away from the busyness and chaos of the city, you may be able to see its true beauty. In the rather modern part of Jersey City, on the highest rooftops, you can see the beautiful clear skies, the blue waters with boats elegantly floating on the waters with the sails blowing in the wind, the satisfying sight of cars speeding quickly through roads and bridges, the smooth green grass of the parks, and the most memorable view: the buildings and skyscrapers lined up with the clouds and sky.