“New York City! I Be The Mother Fuckin’ Greatest! Work It Out!”
I was reading the headlines on the CNN website this Wednesday afternoon while at work, and in the center of the page, was a story detailing the increase of visitors to New York City. Considering my love for the city, I had to click the link and see what all the fuss was about.
“Forget the Empire State Building. Some New York tourists are eager to see the city's other landmarks: Carrie's stoop, Charlotte's gallery and that restaurant where Samantha threw a martini in a boyfriend's face.”
The article was about how people all over the country, were paying thousands and thousands of dollars to book vacations, where they could lead the “lavish” lifestyles of the characters from Sex and the City. One vacation company even offered a four-day stay in a four star hotel that included, dinner at restaurants frequented by the SATC characters, shopping at their favorite boutiques with personal stylists, and the option of Botox injections.
As I finished reading the article, I sat there screening it, smiling to myself. I couldn’t help but to think of my own experiences in New York City. I think that you should always create your own adventure, when you travel somewhere distant. I remember the excitement of getting on the wrong train, the relief and relaxation of finally getting to my destination.
I stared off flying into Boston. Ashley and I thought that it would be cheaper to fly there, and then take a train to New York. Plus, we’d have the opportunity to see more than just the city, and it would feel more like an adventure. And it was.
I was there over a year ago, but I can still feel the buzz when I think about it. Waking up at 7:30am to get an espresso from Central Perk (yes, it exists), walking through the littered streets of the city all day, followed by lunch at Moonshine Café (where the character Mary Jane, from Spider Man, worked). My days were filled with little adventures. I never did the same thing twice, because I had too many opportunities to try something new and different. It was my first time experiencing a world outside of Colorado. I jumped at every new opportunity, and gladly took every wrong turn; always finding a new and exciting adventure.
Everyone warned me that I would experience culture shock, because I came from a mountain town, in the middle of a land locked state. They couldn’t have been more wrong. From the second I arrived, I knew that it was going to be the city that I wanted to spend the rest of my life in. The vibrancy of the colors of the people that lived there, and the thick, rich culture that surrounded you, was inspiring.
I dreamed of moving there as a child. I always knew that I would be bigger and better than the tin can that I grew up in. I look at my top friends on myspace, and have a sense of respect and admiration for the people that I see. People like Brett Ellis and Clint Catalyst really inspire me to be a unique, honest, and expressive person.
While I may love the indi-pop culture icons, I know that I have my own name to make in that world. Considering I live in a city and culture completely that’s vapid of original thought or individuality, I think that I’ve made an admirable impression.
How can you make a splash, if you’re stranded in a cultural desert?
