Before I moved to New York, people kept asking me what I was "most afraid of" about living in the city. Shouldn't they be asking what I'm most excited about? I wondered. C'est la vie. There really is something about New York that makes people think you're going to be robbed or stabbed every time you turn the corner. Coincidentally, I told them that my biggest fears were being robbed or stabbed. Or murdered. (Hi mom!) After those three (obvious) choices came things like 'never finding a job' and 'getting lost'. Now, I don't really think I'm going to be murdered or stabbed while I'm here but I do still have a fear of getting lost. This is a pretty silly fear to have when there are so many maps around and plenty of people to ask for directions (you know, if I was really desperate). J has me studying the subway map every day. He even quizzes me. If you're on 81st street and need to get to Wall Street, which train do you get on?! How many transfers? Quick, woman! I started to answer and then realized that it was clearly a trick question because Why in the world would I be on Wall Street?
Heather, 1. J, 0.
Moving to New York City is kind of like starting a new job. You desperately want to know where everything is and how it all works and you don't want anyone to notice that you don't have a damn clue what's going on. Essentially, I want to know where everything is without having to consult a map which would obviously reveal my new-girl status and ruin the fabulous reputation I'm trying to build over here.
Ahem.
To make this happen, J and I have been doing a lot of walking.
We wake up, hop on the subway and don't set a destination. Wherever we happen to get off, we explore. So far this has proven to be a pretty successful method. I've been coming home with sore feet every day, which I like to think means I'm making progress. Not setting a destination is a definite luxury. The perks of unemployment. Zing!
The other day we explored Battery Park and walked along the water. It was foggy and damp and in my opinion, perfect. There was hardly anyone else around. I have quickly discovered that 'having the place to yourself' simply doesn't happen in New York. So this was like discovering a little secret. We walked and walked and walked, got caught in some serious rain, and walked some more.
P.S. I'm giving capital letters a try today. I have mixed feelings about them.
I'm loving reading up on your NYC adventures, when I see on Feedly that you've posted I get a little too excited, wondering what you've been doing there. These pictures are gorgeous. In a gloomy kinda way. Happy exploring!
ReplyDeleteChelsea, you are too sweet. It's always nice to know that someone out there is actually reading these silly posts. More updates coming soon. Thanks for reading!
DeleteI feel you. I so didn't want to look like a tourist when I went to NYC that I ended up walking around in circles for over an hour because I flat out refused to look at a map!
ReplyDeleteAtta girl! Never let 'em see you sweat!
DeleteWhen I first moved to New York, I remember feeling so terrified of getting lost on a subway. But at the same time even if I did get lost (and it happened), I had to pretend that I wasn't because God forbid I actually ask for directions.
ReplyDeleteTwo and a half years later, and it still feels like a treat when someone asks ME for directions...and I actually am able to help them out.
Ha! I can't wait to get to that point. Since I've been here, *three* people have asked me for directions which was very exciting and made me feel like less of an amateur. Unfortunately, I had no idea what directions to give any of them, so back-to-memorizing-the-map I go. Ho hum.
DeleteI'm glad that New York is working for you. :) It must be so fun to just have the freedom to explore. ♥ After a few weeks you'll know that place like the back of your hand. No worries.
ReplyDeleteSee + fog = best thing ever
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! I used to never read on the subway because I was terrified of missing my stop and being hopelessly lost. I also carried around a subway map for years (pre-smart phones).
ReplyDeleteMy advice: get an app on your phone that doesn't need wifi and then you can consult it without looking like a tourist :) But in the end, getting lost is the best way to learn your way around. I'm very jealous of all your wanderings!