New York

Well, what can I say ?

When you live in a sleepy little village near a sleepy little town, in the south west corner of a tiny little country somewhere in Europe -   I guess it was like the visual equivalent of being on crack cocaine .

New York was tall. Very tall. When my sister told me to  'look up there, look at that'  and I looked up at a big old Mother of a skyscraper- I nearly fell over backwards.

And there were so many people. I waited for my niece for 45 minutes outside of Macy's on Black Friday, and after I counted 14 million people walking past me, I gave up and abandoned her.

And it was noisy, TOOT TOOT.. TOOOOOOOOT... TOOT TOOT.

And I haven't been told off so much since I was at school..

It started at the immigration kiosks..

" HEY YOU LADY- GET OVER HERE - HURRY UP !"

( my sister had already warned me not to try and be witty with the immigration people so I shut my mouth right up ).

Then we got told off by the bartender

"Come on ladies, whaddya want ?"

Then we got told off by the tour bus guide...

" SHUT UP, YOU LADIES UP THE FRONT - NOBODY WANTS TO LISTEN TO YOU "

Next we got told off by the man selling his wares somewhere near the Rockerfeller centre...

" LADIES - QUIT YACKING AND GET OUT OF THE WAY - YOU'RE STANDING IN FRONT OF MY STUFF- MOVE IT "

And then in the diner , we got told off for not knowing how we wanted our eggs ? Easy over ? Easy under ? Easy back to front - who knows ?

And do you know what ? I loved every bit of it

The noise.

The bigness.

The beauty.

The crabbiness of the people of New York that have to deal daily with idiots like me.

And most of all, I loved the strength and the dignity of the people of New York.

What a great place . I'll be back.

I love you New York.

Comments

[eydie]

too funny--your description sounds perfect!

[Barbara]

It's New York. It's just New York. One time I was returning alone from a trip to Ireland. Customs was stressful.After customs I didn't know where to go to catch my plane for home. All the people I would ask said something like "Yakka Yakka Yakka" very loud and impatiently. Finally a very kind cleaning gal showed me how to get to the regular United terminal. It was an unpleasant experience. I've never visited New York but I'll be prepared.
Barbara

[janel]

Be careful, once you let New York into your blood it's damn near impossible to get it out. I lived there for 4 years and miss it dearly, that lovely, shiny, grimy old place. I'm glad you had a good time ;)

[Sarah]

I have to laugh because I felt the same way the first time I went to London. (Except without so much telling off. People were quite friendly, but I didn't know what to do at customs, or what in the hell a "Sachet" of ketchup was. LOL) But man do I love it there. I am dying to return. London is *always* calling.

[theresa]

What! All the way to New York and No pics! Hey lady, show us some visuals!!!
:-)
Glad you are home safe and sound. BTW, What, you couldn't hop on over to the west coast to say hi before you left?

[Meredith]

Oh my! I was surprised when I read that you liked it! I am from the other side of America, a state called Idaho. It's kind of rural here. I felt ashamed at your description of New York...I've never been there but it did not sound pleasant. I'd rather visit the UK, I always imagine it being much more friendly, not to mention absolutely beautiful. But I'm glad you had such a good time, phew!

[hazeljoy]

spot on. i wanna go back too.

[corine@hidden in france]

New york and I, it was love at first sight. (Okay, it was a one sided love affair, I don't think New York ever noticed me. ) The city pulsates with the most amazing energy. Now I live in L.A. and it feels tame in comparison.

[Carrie]

New York, there's no place like it. I have lived in Philadelphia for 4 years now,but I will always consider myself a New Yohrker. And whenever I order a cohfee and chaulklate donut,I am reminded as such.

[kerrydd]

You really had the New York experience! I lived there for 10 years (and I'm now just a bit north of the city and work there several days a week), and I sure found out that you've got to be prepared for the pace, the bigness, the tallness, and those great crazy New Yorkers!

[charlotte]

o, I was getting a little worried there reading your tale...told off that many times? That's no way to treat a visitor. I think folks here in the city just come across cranky sometimes, most people are softies at heart. Glad you plan to come back.

[Hols]

So agree! I love New York, too. Oddly enough, your trip reflects the one I took. Fancy that!

[Alison]

It's such an amazing city - intimidating, expressive, full-on, big, friendly, and every street there's something different. I'm glad you had a great time!

[joanie]

Glad you enjoyed the real NY, knew you would.

[Christine]

I am glad you had a good time! I'd like to hear more - no shopping done?? You know, I didn't make the same experience. I wasn't told off even once and I always thought the New Yorkers very friendly - that's compared to the people in Berlin whom I consider very rude - well, most of them anyways...

[Ali]

I'd pay the price of the odd telling off to go! Haven't been since I was little, but it is calling me...

[Kristy]

Now I'm telling you off! Wot no pictures?

[Lisa thedomesticdiva]

Glad you enjoyed my city!

Us NYers are so fast paced and impatient...everything moves FAST here. Luckily, I live about 20 minutes from Manhattan in suburbia Staten Island--so I have the best of both worlds. If I want great shopping, I head to Manhattan...yet in Staten Island, I have a huge yard and even raise giant Koi fish there.

Let me know when you plan to visit again and I'll treat you to a nice dinner at The Palm restaurant after some shopping in the Fashion District (the shopping is on you...LOL).

With friendship,
Lisa

[DianeM]

New Yorkers cranky? nah...they're just headstrong & they respect a good comeback too...next time just tell them to "foget-abowt-it"

Honestly, the last time I was in the City it was a sunny warm Spring day & I was impressed by how safe & sane everything was after watching umpteen episodes of Law & Order :)

[Georgia]

It's a rare person who can resist her charm. We lived there for 3 years (out in the boroughs), moved home to Australia for 2, missed NY so much that we're back...just a little futher out in CT. NY has a vibe that just makes you feel ALIVE.

[Nan]

I LOVED your description of New York! It made me want to go again....to see New York all decorated for Christmas is the best of all worlds!

[Savannah]

glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit.i have never been there myself, so I guess someday I will have to.

[Lucy Locket-Pocket]

Glad to hear you had a great time! I'd forgotten you were going and was wondering where you were! Did you buy any nice things? Lucy x

[Julie]

Only went to NYC once but it sure was great! Went just after Christmas and everything was still all lit up! Glad your trip was fun.

[Chris Howard]

On behalf of my countrymen, I'd like to apologize. New York, it's attitudes and personalities, has very little to do with the rest of the nation. Next time, come down to Atlanta, and we'll show you a little Southern (and American) hospitality.