New York City

So, as most of you know, I fly out of JFK late this evening towards the eternal city. Currently I'm vacillating between feelings of anticipation and intimidation. It's going to be a big day. I have been anxiously scanning Italian phrases in my cheater book and reading the advice from my guidebook to feel as ready as possible for what is to come. In the meantime, however, Chris and Stuart are accompanying me into the city for a day of exploration before I go.

It started pretty early with a train out of Boston this morning at 8 which involved lugging my hulking travel companion (luggage I will from here on out refer to as Hilda) down the four flights of easy-coast narrow stairs out of the apartment, across the now less than charming brick paving of Charles, and into the T. 

We then proceeded to load-up on coffee, and grab the train to Penn Station. Four hours of preparation for the trip ahead ensued as I emailed my professor and the fellow students I plan to meet on the other side, planning-out my itinerary for the next three days, and trying to simmer down.

It was a four-hour train ride and a pretty fun experience. I’m pretty sure I took a train a long time ago but it still felt new and exciting (at least for the first part).

…and then we were in New York City. The first twenty minutes was a kerfluffle of bag checking so Hilda could stay at Penn Station (where we arrived and where we would return to catch a train out to JFK) while we experienced “the big apple” and buying tickets for said airport express train so we wouldn’t have to worry about it later.

My first impression was noise and Billy Joel’s “Why should I worry?” as sung by dodger of Oliver and Company immediately sprang to mind. The entire city frothed with this hectic, determined bustle and our tourist’s amble was soon replaced with the determined stride of she who realizes its keep-up or be consumed. On all sides I was assailed by strident pushcart vendors, tour hawkers, construction noise, taxi horns and emphatic conversation tinged with almost indecipherable accents.

First things first, a trip to New York demands one of two things: Bagels or Pizza; In New York there is nothing else of consequence. We chose pizza and ate an incredible slice at a hole-in-the-wall local joint, which enticed us with wafting aromas and a tantalizing window display. The slices measured at almost a quarter of a pizza each and were more than sufficient and set a wonderful tone for the rest of the day.

Our time was short since we arrived around one and had to begin the trek to the airport around five. We spent the intervening time walking to some of the more famous New York Monuments beginning with the Empire State Building. Since the line to get to the top stretched around the block, we decided to skip the assent and settled for a slack-jawed craning from the ground.  To get this picture with the building and me, Stuart manipulated his body into an almost inconceivable position crouched close to the ground, almost in the gutter, and then horizontally stretched sideways to be as close to the ground as possible without touching. Keeping this in mind, appreciate the picture (and maybe imagine him contorted in the New York gutter) as you look.

Next stop, Times Square which is not as recognizable as you would initially assume; I anticipated the one large domineering screen presiding over the square, topped by the ball and lording it over a variety of shops and an ocean of people. In reality Times Square is wallpapered with screens the size of buildings and “the” iconic screen has a twin on the other side of the square showing the same thing.  It’s a little disorienting to stand in the middle because you think something is a building and then it moved or there is 60 foot emaciated girl shoving a purse in your face like Oliver asking for more gruel (Sorry, had to go there).

Ironically, the best places in the square involve candy. Right next to where we entered, there is a large toy/candy store that conveniently resembles a theme park, complete with Ferris wheel inside.

I think it was Disney but could also be convinced it was Toys R Us without too large a stretch... but that’s beside the point. What really mattered was the Willy Wonka section. That’s right Dad, a quarter of a floor related specifically to Nerds in every flavor, Sprees and Laffy Taffy of every variety, Runts, Sweet Tarts, and Shockers. Needless to say, I got some sugar for my plane ride.

We then proceed to the corner diagonally opposite to peek into the Hershey’s, Reese’s, Peppermint Patties, Jolly Ranchers Store which features several moving parts affixed to the outside of the building but actually lacks the anticipated rapture. We then wandered across the street to the M&M store where Stu and Chris built a sampler bag of new and interesting colors and varieties of M&Ms to investigate (our little scientists).

We then wandered over to Central Park that is actually, as Stu put it, a small and well maintained forest within the confines of the city. It’s incredible because of the way it sneaks up on you. You are in the midst of an urban jungle, jostling among fellow walkers and rebelliously ignoring street lights and all natural sense of driving order as you navigate the city and then, suddenly, you are on the edge of this extensive greenery you never got a hint of. We wandered through for a little while and then settled down on benches across from a small fair set up in the center.

Discussing where to go from there, we decided to head up 5^th (a shopping district I think?) and kind of go where the trek took us as we worked our way back to Penn Station. Exiting the far side of the park, we were struck by the new Apple Store built entirely of glass, all the way around and featuring a spiral staircase and glass elevator that plummeted through the floor directly in the center into the shop itself.  We went in just to check it out and rode the glass elevator back out. It was incredibly cool.

Next, we came across the Rockefeller Center, which features a bronze sculpture of Atlas. Naturally, a picture was in order (if you know me, you probably know about my obsession with Ayn Rand and her manifesto, Atlas Shrugged).

Just across the way was the Lego store, and bearing my company in mind, a venture inside was implied. Much to my delight, another Atlas had been built within the store.

A little after, we arrived back at Penn Station and took the Long Island Railroad to Jamaica in Queens (not as tropical as you’d think) and hopped the express train to JFK. From there it was simply a matter of waiting. We checked my bag and ate in the food court to extend my time with them. Then it was time for good byes (a few tears might have leaked out) and I navigated my through security and waited for my plane.