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RIYADH: Aljoharah Albasri is a 32-year-old lawyer in “the energy and infrastructure space” who has been living in New York for the past two years. 

What’s the best thing about New York? 

At the risk of sounding cliché, it’s the energy. New York has this pulse that makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger. It’s inspiring. You’re constantly surrounded by ambition, culture, and beauty in so many different forms. 

And the worst thing? 

The chaos. It can get too…. people-y sometimes. There’s always noise, light, and congested streets. You’ve gotta try really hard to relax in the midst of it all. 

What’s the general vibe of the city?  

People are very career-oriented here, but, at the same time, there’s endless culture around… art, music, exceptional food, history. If I had to summarize the “vibe” in one sentence, it would be: Glamorous yet gritty. 

Is it expensive to visit? 

Oh, definitely. Accommodation and dining can be very pricey, but if you know where to look, you can still find cheaper eats, hidden spots, and neighborhoods that don’t break the bank. 

Would you say the city is a good place to travel to with kids?  

Parts of it are, yes. Central Park, the museums, the zoos — all great with kids. But, overall, New York isn’t the easiest city for families because of the pace and the crowds. 

How easy is it to get around? 

The subway is reliable most of the time, but it can be hard to navigate at first. I’d never recommend renting a car here — you’ll just get stuck in traffic and parking can be a nightmare. Walking is my favorite way to see the city. Hitting 10k steps a day doesn’t require planning, especially if the weather is nice. 

Would you describe the city as ethnically diverse?  

Yes, completely. It’s one of the most diverse cities in the world. You’ll find every culture represented, and people are generally welcoming of multiculturalism. 

Would you describe New Yorkers as friendly? 

Yes. Not in a chatty, small-towny way — locals here are mostly in a rush — but they’re extremely helpful and will do their best to look out for you when it matters. 

Is it an easy place for Muslims to practice their religion?  

Yes. There are plenty of halal restaurants, mosques, and communities. There’s a large Arab community in Bay Ride, Brooklyn. 

What’s the best time of year to visit, in terms of the weather?  

Fall, without a doubt. The weather is perfect, the city looks beautiful with the leaves changing. Winters can be brutal, and summers are sticky. 

What’s the most useful phrase to know in the local language? 

Honestly, “excuse me,” because you’re constantly squeezing through crowds. Not as “useful,” but iconic nonetheless, is “Fuhgeddaboudit!” 

What would you do on your ideal weekend in your city? 

For me, it’s brunch at a nice spot in Soho or Noho, a walk and a picnic in Central Park, and then late afternoon Comedy Cellar/dinner in the West Village. If you want more of an outdoors-y day, I’d recommend walking through Conservatory Garden, visiting Salon 94, grabbing ice cream at Glace, and browsing the niche shops around the area like Designer Revival. 

Which famous tourist attraction would you recommend people visit? 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It’s iconic and you can go back a hundred times and still find something new. 

What’s the most-overrated tourist attraction? 

Times Square. It’s known for its flashing lights and vibrance, but it can feel really congested and not the cleanest part of the city. 

What’s New York’s best hidden gem?  

I’d say the Cloisters. It’s part of the Met, but tucked away in Upper Manhattan. It feels like stepping into medieval Europe. 

What’s your favorite restaurant? 

It’s hard to pick one. I’d say the Nines or Minetta Tavern for that old-school New York glamour. Or Kiki’s — a little Greek taverna on the Lower East Side that looks unassuming from the outside, but inside it’s always buzzing. 

What’s your favorite store? 

Bergdorf Goodman for a classic NYC department store. I also love smaller shops in Soho — Manière De Voir is one of my favorites. Thrifting in Brooklyn can also be fun. 

Can you pick three places that people should definitely visit if they come to New York?  

The New York Public Library — it’s stunning inside; the Whitney Museum for modern art and rooftop views; and a Broadway or Off-Broadway show is a must in New York. 

What’s the best hotel in the city? 

If you’re opting for five-star hotels: the Aman, The Twenty Two or the Ned are excellent choices. Equinox is great location-wise for business trips. There are beautiful boutique hotels too, like The Marlton and The Bowery. 

Which neighborhood would you recommend people look for accommodation in?  

Flatiron / NoMad in Midtown Manhattan is great because it’s central but, at the same time, not as hectic as Times Square and the Theatre District. And if you’ve already visited NYC and want to skip the touristy experience, I’d go for Williamsburg in Brooklyn. 

VENICE, Italy: As the Venice Film Festival kicks off this week, activists hope to redirect the spotlight from the Hollywood stars arriving on the Lido to Gaza, with an anti-war demonstration planned for one of the festival’s biggest nights.
The group Venice4Palestine has called on the festival and its parent organization, the Venice Biennale, to end partnerships with groups supporting the Israeli government and withdraw invitations to actors Gerard Butler and Gal Gadot. On the festival’s opening day on Wednesday, protesters will hold a news conference in the morning front of the famed red carpet. Protesters also plan to march Saturday evening toward the festival, which is hosting the world premiere of Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” that night.
Filmmakers Ken Loach and Alice Rohrwacher were among the hundreds of signatories to the Venice4Palestine letter. Festival director Alberto Barbera told The Associated Press on Tuesday that while they feel for the victims in Gaza, the Biennale does not make political statements and does not boycott artists.
“We are a space for debate, for conversation,” Barbera said. “We are absolutely open to any kind of debate about this unacceptable situation in Palestine.”
Several reports suggested Gadot had dropped out of the festival following the scrutiny, but Barbera said the “Snow White” star was never planning to attend. Representatives for Gadot could not immediately be reached for comment.
Gadot and Butler are among the cast of Julian Schnabel’s film, “In the Hand of Dante,” which premieres at the festival out of competition Sept. 3.
Butler has not publicly commented on the war in Gaza but attended a Friends of the IDF Western Region Gala in 2018. Barbera said that he is still waiting to hear about Butler’s attendance. The Scottish actor’s representatives did not immediately respond to request for comment.
While the festival and the Biennale aren’t making political statements on Gaza, they are hosting the world premiere of Kaouther Ben Hania’s “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” about the death of a 6-year-old girl attempting to flee Gaza City with her family in early 2024. The film is playing in the main competition.
Last year, the festival programmed a showing in one of its sidebar sections of Israeli director Dani Rosenberg’s docudrama, “Of Dogs and Men,” about the aftermath of the Hamas 2023 attack into Israel.
“We are living in very complicated and dangerous and frightening times,” Barbera said. “And cinema reflects this kind of situation. A lot of filmmakers are so sensible to talk about these huge and dramatic problems and issues.”
On Monday, Israel struck one of the main hospitals in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 20 people including five journalists and wounding scores more. It was among the deadliest of multiple Israeli strikes that have hit both hospitals and journalists over the course of the 22-month war.
The Health Ministry said Sunday that at least 62,686 Palestinians have been killed in the war. The war began when Hamas-led militants abducted 251 hostages and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals, but 50 remain in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive.
Last year, facing the threat of protests, the artist and curators representing Israel at the Venice Biennale kept the Israeli pavilion exhibit closed, saying they would only open it if there were a ceasefire in Gaza.