I was born and raised in the city known as the Big Apple. Skyscrapers and hot dog stands on every street corner have been part of my landscape since I first learned how to walk. I have perfected my “don’t mess with me, I’m on my way to somewhere important” look as I walk the sidewalks of Manhattan during rush hour. I have also perfected my “don’t mess with me, I can be just as crazy as you” look as I ride the subway. I root for the New York Yankees, live for designer sample sales, wait on long lines for a cup of coffee at Starbucks, complain about everything, can maneuver a busy street filled with people with the finesse of a prima ballerina and flag a cab down with just a wave of a hand. I talk too fast and use lots of hand gestures. I dress in various shades of black. I am what you call a New Yorker.
Part of being a New Yorker sometimes means that you take for granted how lucky you are to be part of this wonderful, crazy and loud city. I realized this the other day as I was making my way down 34th Street to catch my train home. I was walking past the Empire State Building and bumped into a group of tourists. Normally, I would just keep going, sighing with frustration at being delayed for just a second. But this time, I actually looked at them and followed their awestruck gaze up. I saw what they saw and I found myself glued in place and smiling. I mean, who wouldn’t be amazed? Here I was standing in front of one of the most famous buildings in the world-the building which serves as the backdrop to many famous movies, from an Affair to Remember to one of my favorites-Sleepless in Seattle. The place couples go to fall in love, get engaged or share a kiss.
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks or a dozen counterfeit bags being peddled on Eighth Avenue by men pushing nondescript shopping carts-I live in one of the greatest cities in the world. Don’t get me wrong-every city is unique and has its fabulous qualities. I’ve been to London, Paris and Rome, among others. I’ve seen the most amazing things there and met some of the most wonderful people too. But there’s just something about New York. I’m drawn to it like a moth to a fire- drawn to its smells and its soul. It’s ingrained into my memory like my family and friends are. It’s where I go to eat with a choice of millions of restaurants from Ethiopian to Italian. It’s where I can get a manicure and pedicure at any time of the day at dirt-cheap prices. It’s where I can stroll through Central Park one minute and watch a hockey game while sipping on cold beer the next. It sparkles with pretty lights during the holidays and explodes with energy during the hot summer evenings. New York is the place where dreams go to live and it’s the place I call home.
And I realize that no matter where life takes me, it will always be there for me. It’s true what they say-you can take the girl out of New York but you can’t take the New York out of the girl.
Erin
Reading this really makes me want to visit New York, it just sounds magical and wonderful!!!
Reading this really makes me want to visit New York – It sounds so magical and wonderful!!! 🙂 xxxxx
New Yorkers are special people 🙂 !
I love NYC! My son attended NYU and Broolyn Law School. The first couple visits to NYC I was tremendously intimidated. Everything is so big and so tall and so busy. But the energy of the city is contagious. My favorite song about NYC is New York, New York! (Surprise!) but I actually prefer Liza Minelli’s rendition over Frank Sinatra. If I were a rich “girl”, I’d visit Justin ever weekend although I suspect he might not appreciate his noisy, crazy mom visiting so often.
I’m a native New Yorker and love the energy of the city.
Reblogged this on Macjoyful's Minimal Musings and commented:
My oldest son lives in and works as a judge in Brooklyn, NY. He loves NYC for many reasons like being able to walk a block or so to buy just about anything grocery related. The subway is just down the block or so. He doesn’t need a car and all the expense of maintenance and so on. It is an amazing city and if you haven’t visited, put it on your bucket list. You’ll need a huge bucket because there is so much to see and do.
I love the city, especially around the holidays. It’s a magical place to be!
One day when I’m rich and able to sit long enough to fly to NYC I’m going to visit Justin during the holiday season. There is so MUCH to see in NY. It’ll take eons to see everything.
Hope you are doing well!