The writing’s on the t-shirts, and they’re emblazoning the truth.
Overall, what stood out to me in NY were not the grandiose buildings like the Empire State Building, Chrysler and Lady Liberty standing out in the Manhattan skyline, it was consuming the atmosphere of food, people and shopping.
Food
By stark contrast to my last post about the Deep South, NY is the organic capital of the world. (Even in dry cleaning!)
Organic dry cleaners!
And yes, I’d say their logo is organic and adaptable to the Atkins’ diet.
It’s all about the egg white omelette, fresh salads, hand-prepared meals (not a packet in sight!). Fantastic. I was in food heaven and a food coma simultaneously. In short, I do not fear death now. And if I wasn’t consciously aware I was breathing in smog from the manholes and taxi exhaust, I swear I felt healthier within three hours of being in the city of bright lights and light weights.
But this is still America, and their want of everything right now and how you want it was born in NY. Especially with food. In a city where you can eat for $5 or $500, both will be served right away, right price, right size. ‘Cos if it’s wrong, you’ll know about it! (And they come a dime a dozen, eateries and opinions.)
People
I was warned of the stereotypical rude New Yawker: they are as pleasant as a box full of used needles and broken glass. Another stereotype of Americans is that they fall for stuff like Lemmings off a cliff, but I don’t think this applies to most NY-ers. So I took the pleasant imagery of the needle/glass analogy to mean that they are street wise and intellectually “sharp” as I didn’t notice any rudeness or stupidity.
Granted, the most people I met were international students, travellers, and expats. But the few NY residents I have met, be it immigrants, interstate movers or born and bred, they’ve all been lovely. Even those crazy chicks from Queens in the lower east side club called Fat Baby. Perhaps I am oblivious to the stereotype of outspoken, rude, rushed folk – I must be impartial to loud-mouthed opinions (hey, I do have this blog!).
While I do like attention (hey, I do have this blog!) one rattling factor in NY is that everyone likes to stare. Is it disconcerting because I am sole, female traveller? Or because I am considered a hideous, moronic freak in my own country and not used to the attention, least of all being in the centre of it? Do I even find it disconcerting at all and secretly love it? Most likely the latter, but as I realised with my Big Trip of 06, identity is important when travelling (especially to those Eastern European officials who swap invalid visa papers for a bottle of Wodka). People are simply judging you ascertaining where you are from by your manner of dress, walk, accent, neck goiter.
Shopping
My god, the shopping.
Sorry, more elaboration is needed.
My god, the shopping, my god.
The shopping strips are as much of a landmark as the Lady and Rockefeller. And since I haven’t written anything substantially about them, I won’t devote more than a paragraph to the shopping.
But, my god, the shopping.
Flutter those lashes
I have a school girl crush on NYC, and I plan to go back many, many times (even as early as August this year). There is a danger, as with any crush, harsh reality will set in to annoyingly point out all is not as great as it seemed. You are too grown up, not grown up enough, you are one of the many mistresses those bright lights dazzled.
As one has to make sure not to fall in love too fast and hard with lights that just shine so bright for everyone, one also has to be sure not be swallowed by the Big Apple, lest it spits you back out. It’s not an acquired taste by any means, a few NY locals told me you keep up with NYC, not the other way round. And even if you have a different palate upon your next visit to NYC, it’s guaranteed the city will serve you up something to satiate it.
6 comments
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April 26, 2010 at 5:52 pm (UTC -5 )
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