New York Observations

I arrived in New York on Monday morning. It was surprisingly hot at about 26 degrees celcius. For some reason I figured it would be cooler - like Toronto. In case Toronto was cooler. It's also very humid.

But before I got to New York I had just finished flying overnight on an Air Canada red-eye flight from Vancouver with a connection in Toronto. I did not sleep well on the flight and was pretty much 'shattered' on Monday because of it. I met a guy from Hamilton on the first leg who worked as a locksmith and was returning to get his masters degree.

After getting Toronto I had to go through U.S. customs hell. It was a large room filled with people. It seemed like half of the people in there were in the same situation as me: the flight was starting to board and we had not got through customs yet!

On the second leg to New York I met a consultant from New York. We were going to split a cab until he realized I had to get my bags from the checked luggage. I took a cab and the subway on my own to the Big Apple Hostel.

The Big Apple hostel is in Times Square. Times Square is that block of huge digital billboards and traffic lights that is shown all of the time on TV. Walking up there I made a few observations:

* Air pollution. I didn't think of it, but there is no fresh air in New York. Just variations of exhaust fumes. It's not like you can see the exhaust (and after a couple days - I don't even think of it anymore). I've been twice to the Hudson River park to get away from the buildings. To me it feels the most like home - to get away from being surrounded by 50 blocks of skyscrapers.

* Oral fixations. Everyone seems to be talking on a cellphone or smoking or doing both at the same time. The way I tell the real new yorkers from the tourists is based on if they are talking on a cell phone and how aggressively they charge into intersections/jaywalk. Pinstripe suits and briefcases are also good indicators of 'authenticity'.

* Blackberries. Blackberries (and IPods) are also very popular. I went to Central park and alot of business people were busy typing away into these. Someone I met called them 'crack berries'. Explains why the RIMM stock price keeps going higher: New Yorkers are crazy for them.

* Tourists. For some reason I did not expect as many tourists as there are here. Times Square is packed and about 80% of the people here are all tourists. I talked to a couple of New Yorkers and they said that they avoid Times Square for that reason. My hostel has tons of Europeans and Japanese tourists. I'm sick of tourists.

* Safety. Manhattan is very safe. Safer than Vancouver. The reason for the safety is the amount of security. Every building has one or two security guards and every block has at least one police officer. I have not seen any crime. Except for the guy who sold me the watch... But I suppose the reason I paid too much might be somewhat my fault.

* Outspoken yet friendly people. People here are friendly and secure in their own identities. I had great help in a drugstore with my camera. I've gone out twice with real New Yorkers and both times I was impressed by how outspoken yet friendly they are. People yell in a friendly way at each other on the street.