I often read and have heard people speak very romantically about NYC. It is personified almost as a lover or best friend. Magazines, books, TV shows, and so on are always speaking about NYC as if it is a person itself, when in fact its just a city. However, it is such a city and I can't think of any amount of time that would be enough to explore every inch of it. Maybe not even a lifetime.
I was fortunate enough to have had the experience of spending just 4 quick days right in the heart of the city, in a hotel in Times Square with my dad and brother. I can't thank my dad enough for providing such an awesome experience for me.
I do want to return to NYC though, and not just for sight-seeing. I may be wrong, but I think I want to live there, at least for a little while. I want to work there, discover there, and somehow start to feel at home there. If the city of New York is person like people say, I want to become best friends with that person. I want to walk the streets confidently knowing where I'm going, be acquainted with food vendors, go out at night with friends, and come home dead tired of a long day of work to a place that is home. I've always considered myself a "city girl" because I love anything "city" and don't care too much for desolate areas or "the country." So, it only makes sense that I feel a longing in my bones to make some sort of nest for myself in "the big apple."
There were sooo many things to love about NYC. What were my favorites?
The Food! I loved that everything was fresh and basically made daily. And of course, there was much variety on every street. Foods from all over the world were conveniently nestled in small restaurants literally everywhere.
The people! NYC is full of so many people, and the people are just as diverse, if not more, as the variety of foods. I've always taken an interest in people (maybe thats why I'm a Psychology major). New York is bustling with all different kinds of people, and its like a mini television show while walking through the streets of New York. My mind wanders and I can only imagine all the stories the thousands of people could tell.
Being able to walk everywhere! I lost 5 pounds while in New York.. all the while eating pizza, gelato, bagels, kabobs, etc. I loved knowing I could walk anywhere I needed to be. Of course, I could do that here in Indianapolis but its not exactly practical or safe considering there are no sidewalks outside of neighborhoods.
Everyone was fashionable. This statement is funny because I definitely don't consider myself to be a highly fashionable person at all. I did love being surrounded by very fashionable people though, and it was a motivating factor to dress "better" myself. There were no sweat pants to be found in NYC.
The city of course never sleeps. I'm a constant whiner about places closing early in Muncie and in Indy. I've never understood why anything should ever close. But obviously, New York understands that nothing should ever close. Therefore, I loved that aspect of the city. Of course, I understand there isn't really a need for everything to always be open where I live, because it would be dead. Its people like me with like ideals that things should always be open who would love living in NYC.
The subway! I love the idea of waking up in the morning, walking a few blocks to the subway, taking it to where I need to be, and walking the rest of the way to that destination. Besides, the subway never fails. It comes at the same time everyday. One would never have to worry about construction, detours, road delays, or weather. How much better could it get?
Everyone was fit! No, really! I rarely saw an out of shape person. This has to have something to do with the walking everywhere/eating fresh foods correlation.
Everyone walked at a fast pace! This is a stereotype that New Yorkers walk fast, but its definitely true. I'm a fast walker more often than not, so it was nice to walk alongside people who walked just as fast - or faster.
Of course, the architecture! I'm a sucker for skyscrapers, so obviously New York's endless array of buildings requiring me to bend over backwards almost to see the top of make me smile.
Though I have listed a few of my favorite aspects about New York, I'm a realistic person and I realize living in New York wouldn't always be a "bed of roses." I recognize I'd have longing desires to return to my true home in Indianapolis. I know I'd get tired of the noise and the hustle and bustle at times, and there would be nights where I'd feel incredibly lonely in such a big place.
But maybe thats why people compare the city of New York to a relationship with a person - because it won't be perfect. Perhaps finding the place to live thats right for you is exactly like matchmaking. What one person looks for in someone is different than what another looks for. Some people like certain personality traits and physical characteristics and some like others. I believe its the same for where you live or where you want to live someday. And so, if I were to list desirable characteristics in a "mate" to live.. New York would meet a lot of those qualities. And like any relationship, work is required and its not always sunshine and flowers. Sacrifices are made, there are good times and bad, but its all part of a relationship. With regards to my time in New York, I definitely want to get to know that city better and actually start a relationship rather than having a one night stand. ;)
End of metaphor.
I think I'll end this blog with one of my favorite Sex and the City quotes. (I know.. obsession). But this quote really sums up how I feel.
"If Louis was right, and you only get one great love, then New York may just be mine...and I can't have nobody talkin' shit about my boyfriend." - Carrie Bradshaw
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