Monday, June 21, 2004

I (Heart) NY

So, finally after what seemed like an endless bus ride filled with fitful sleep and a very uncomfortable seat, I made it to NY city from Toronto. It was one of the worst bus rides I have ever experienced. I was not a happy camper at the end of it.

I have been in the city for several days now and am slowly checking off my to do and to see list. Most importantly I was able to spend some time with some friends of mine that I have not seen in a while. My friend PAK, (there, satisfied I mentioned your name) came up from Boston to see me. He was a fellow JET and one of the first people I met in Japan. As well as Elita, she and I came up from TO together.

Our first day we spent wandering around getting a feel for the city...umm...getting a feel for the shopping more accurately. There is some great shopping to be done here. Then Pak and I ventured to Little Italy for dinner. It was a great experience. It was a street that was blocked off and full of open air restaurants. It is if I were actually in Italy, well at least how I imagine Italy to be.

Day two started off in time square. We lined up for tix to a broadway show. Unfortunately, Pak could not come back with us because he had to take the dodgy Chinatown bus back to Boston. He missed out, we saw RENT. We were pretty close to the front so we had great seats. It was a really neat experience. We did some more wandering through the city. Elita and her friend Connie, had to catch their bus and train respectively back to Toronto. So I was left to wander around by myself.

I have a NY moment to share, I went to Rockefeller Centre and sat down on this round bench to eat a sandwich. I have just taken out my sandwich, when a police officer starts heading towards me. I make eye contact and smile, and he keeps walking towards me. I start to worry..uh oh...have I done something wrong, maybe I cannot eat here. Just as soon, as I start to become nervous. He approaches the guy next to me and says, "what are you doing here?, What's this? Why is it open? The man says, well officer I was going to go to the bathroom. The officer tells, him to put it away and zip it up and then takes out his baton. He tells him to leave this area and escorts him away from me. The officer then walks back to his post and starts whispering to the guy next to him. I swear, he is whispering about me and how naive this west coast girl is. I simply continue to eat my sandwich, swearing that I will be more conscious of who I sit next to from now on.

That probably has been my only real negative experience in NY and it was quickly remedied. I have done quite a bit of touristy things, like the Empire State building, lady liberty, and the UN. Besides the Jay walking, the constant honking traffic, and the pushy people, New York definitely has its charms.