Sep 11, 2005 10:02
I know this is long overdue. I first want to apologize to all my friends who have been so patient with my transition here. Moving into a new place seems superficially a day or maybe two. But actually getting settled requires at least three weeks. At least that's been my experience. I have been trying to meet people with whom I have things in common, figuring out my class/work/outside activities schedule, my bank, my food, etc, etc. It's a lot more difficult than it all sounds. I still need to buy a backpack, notebooks, and a printer. But at least now I have internet, so that I can relay the events of New York to you.
There are some common misconceptions about New York that I have already found to be untrue:
1. New Yorkers are unfriendly: Perhaps New Yorkers don't have time for that Southern charm. And of course there are those people who will bump into you in the steet and not say "excuse me." But many of these people can't speak English, don't know are customs, or might be having a bad dad themselves. Plus it's very rare. When you consider the number of people that are rude like that in, say, Jacksonville and compare it to New York, I would venture a guess that the ratios of rude people to overall population are quite similar. If ever you need help with directions or anything, New Yorkers (just as you would expect normal humans to do) are willing to help.
2. There is no community in New York: Now, you may not believe this in entirety. However, I don't know how you could believe that you could walk in the park and meet and greet friends as you would in some Southern neighborhood. However, I do. It amazes me everyday. I walk outside my dorm, and see people who live a couple blocks away. This is how New York works. One becomes familiar with his surroundings. My neighborhood is Greenwich Village. More specifically Washington Square Park. So, I know the people, the buildings, the restarants, the bars, the clubs, the jazz houses, and the theatres in the area. And if I leave the Square...I get anxious because I don't feel safe, and I don't feel home.
3. New York is expensive. Now, this is true to a degree. There is a fair share of amazing restaurants that cost significantly more than your average restaurant. A movie ticket is $11. Hell, NYU itself is ridiculously expensive. However, if you have to live on a budget you can. Especially in college. I have already found places that serve really good Indian for $3 and a place that is equivalant to Thai Garden back home, but it only costs $6.50 for a meal. Plus there are so many free things to do. I have (freely) seen a Ben Folds concert, a musical version of Two Gentlemen of Verona, a tour of the CNN building, the taping of a Pepsi commercial starring Jimmy Fallon and Parker Posey, and have tickets to see David Letterman, Conan, and Hope and Faith later this semester. That's a lot of really fun things to do in my opinion. At one restaurant, my meal cost $12, which was a great deal considering they had opera performers come out and sing their favorite songs for us (and they were real opera performers from the NYC Opera who were quite good). My point is that you don't have to have money to have a good time here. Just sitting in the park and watching people can be quite interesting and fun; it's always there, and it's free.
I will have to continue updating you on life in the city later. I'm off to church. Next post will be about MY life in the city. Until then, Gotta boogey! Smell ya later!