the Lyons' den: New York: Final Thoughts

When I stepped off the bus, I thought, "What in the world?" My first impression of New York city was that it was loud, dirty, and not for me. I asked, "Tosh what is that awful smell?" He replied, "It's New York." Tosh has wanted to take me to New York for years. He has always claimed I would love it. When we arrived, I thought "he thought I would love this?"

It didn't take long before I started to understand. Times Square is something to be experienced for sure, although it should not be used in forming an opinion of NYC. It is a crazy, lively place. It is not the same kind of crazy as Las Vegas. Las Vegas is full of people drinking and gambling. Drunkenness adds to the appeal of Vegas. This is not true in Times Square. Although I am sure there are plenty of alcoholic beverages consumed, drinking is not the main activity and vomiting isn't the end result. People are out seeing the lights, watching other people, eating street meat, shopping, talking, taking pictures, and taking it all in. Characters fill the streets. Literally, people stand on the corners dressed as cartoon characters. It is an experience to be enjoyed if you are 2 or 100.

The way to truly enjoy New York is to find the point where the "I heart NY" shopping bags are exchanged for Whole Foods reusable shopping bags. That is the point in which you have found New York. This is where life happens, not vacation. The neighborhoods are still busy and full of life, but in a different, less TGIFridays and McDonald's kind of way. In the neighborhoods, people are shopping at farmer's markets and flea markets, eating lunch, enjoying it, as well as their company.

I've noticed in Washington, DC. as well as New York, that surprisingly, people are not as distracted as what I am used to. In restaurants, people are visiting and laughing with one another. Cell phones are not part of the table top decor. The person on the other end of the line is not invited to dinner. It is like there is an unspoken rule: must be present to join the dinner conversation.

I look forward to many more New York trips. I don't think I will have to twist Tosh's arm to get to go again. Sadly, I don't have pictures of the "not so touristy" places. It became that in such a way that getting out my camera and taking pictures didn't cross my mind.

View from the bus.