NYC

A few months ago, The Italian and I were having pizza and wine together, and discussing how many years it’s been since we held gators and ate crawfish pasta.

It’s been years. Too many.

A couple days later I get a message telling me tickets to New York were pretty cheap that day.

“Wanna go?”

“Sure”

And that was that.

That’s pretty much how we roll.  Mostly spur of the moment. Fast decisions. (That’s how I got her to jump out of a plane and I’m still in the hole for that one!)

So away we flew, on a cold January day, to the Big Apple.  A place I’ve been watching  on television my whole life. Imagining what it would be like, but not really ever expecting to see it as a tourist.

Our first ten minutes in town were a bit of a shell shock. Coming out of Penn Station, we saw a dead body being rolled into an ambulance. And the just the sheer amount of people on the streets was a little overwhelming  at first. I told my son… it’s kind of like when the last bell at school rings and everybody’s in a hurry to get out of there. Only that’s how the streets are. Chaotic for sure. So with our bags in tow, we walked our first twenty blocks to the hotel (which was having a huge party when we arrived, also not something I’m used to, but you know, go with flow….) We ate dinner twice that night. Because it’s New York and there’s food everywhere…..and I kind of loved the delis, they weren’t at all what I was expecting. I also fell asleep in under 30 seconds when we went finished the evening, far past my normal bedtime.

So my main observations about New York:

SO MANY PEOPLE. Of course. Because I come from the least populated state, I do notice that, but it’s more than I have ever seen….. anywhere. So many people.

People are obsessed with selfies. I watched a family of women take 100 selfless of themselves in a five minute period. Amusing. Until I saw people doing it at ground zero. I didn’t like it there.

New Yorkers were not rude. Not that I noticed. I’m never afraid to ask for directions, or questions….so I have to talk to them. They were all accommodating. Maybe quick in their speech, but that’s natural I think. And maybe I’ve been to places where people are much crazier than New Yorkers.  Where they grab you and write on you. That didn’t happen in NY. And yes of course people run into you the streets….there’s 26 million people there. What do you expect!

But… you are hard pressed to find someone to speak english to you sometimes. I often times just stood in lines quietly, thinking….. there are so many languages going on in my head right now!

I was a total tourist and I felt safe. I walked around with my camera hanging around my neck most of the time, except at night, but even then I had a backpack on, and was fine. I of course went out in the early mornings alone……in search of coffee, and was fine. I’m also not afraid to kick someone’s ass….so….

My legs hurt. My back hurt. My brain hurt at the end of the day. So many miles. So much to take in. Constant overload. Constantly senses being stimulated.  SO MUCH FOOD. Sleep came easily. And since it was past 8:30 at night…. I was tired.

My favorite part: The Theatre. The set was something I could have never imagined and the performance was just unreal. And Funny. And I love Glinda. I loved every single second of it. I sat on the edge of my seat with a stupid grin the entire time.  I also unexpectedly loved Ellis Island. When you walk into a room that you know someone you were related to, started their lives, came to start a fresh life not knowing what to expect……you kind of get tingles.  It’s a strange feeling. And it’s covered in amazing pictures. I love the documentation that way. It’s part of why I do what I do. And Chicken Parm in Little Italy. It may have possibly been my favorite ever. I need to make it.  And I will. And I will figure out how to make it well.

Things I was surprised by: The Statue of Liberty is smaller than I thought. And I didn’t picture her on a pedestal. I pictured her on the grass. Where I could walk up and touch her toe.  Central Park is not really a place where you can play on the grass (at least in the places I went to). Ground Zero….huge hole. Huge. Wall Street is not a busy street….but Broadway, the street in front of it is.  FAO Swartz doesn’t exist anymore.

It was a short, but great trip. I got to check a couple things off my very, very long list. Which is a wonderful way to start the year. I survived the subway. Found Starbucks in Time Square, alone, in the morning. I feel accomplished already.

I’m happy to be back. In the quiet of my own state. And little city.  Near the people I missed. I always appreciate it more when I’m away.