Visible Differences: New York

Waiting for the train.

This past weekend I got to travel outside of the city for the first time in a couple months and it gave me real insight as to why I prefer living here in New York to anywhere else. I took the train to Beacon, NY, a small town about an hour and a half north of the city that is very much like where I live in Pittsburgh. Here everyone was much more laid back: people walked slower, there was much more nature, and coffee shops were for sitting rather than a quick fix. It was absolutely beautiful, and even waiting for the train back was pleasant because of the view (it also was the first time it had been above 50 degrees for weeks). We went to a gallery while we were there, which was very interesting and much less crowded than those in the city. But I missed New York after only being away for four hours. I missed people running around doing a million things and having a million options for what I could do myself. This city has everything anyone could ever want, as long as you’re open to it and a lack of sleep.

You sleep when and
where you can.

And that’s what New York is: it’s what you make of it. You could be sitting next to someone on a subway that could change your life if you are open to meeting someone new. And everyone takes the subway. Just the other day my friend was on a subway with Jonathan Groff (currently on Broadway for the acclaimed Hamilton, also was on Glee and in Spring Awakening with Lea Michele). It’s a mode of transportation that undeniably convenient, humbling, and can even provide some great views if you take a line that runs aboveground. This is probably the biggest difference between here and back home—there is nothing like this in Meadville or even Pittsburgh. While there are buses, it’s definitely not the same feel of community and enjoyment that you can find on a subway.

This is also true with personal style. Everyone here has their story and there seems to be a permanent understanding of this fact. It’s often intimidating at first to walk out of the house not wearing your finest all-black attire, but you’ll soon find that very few people actually dress that way. And let me say that while it’s true there are a lot of high heels around, the majority of people wearing them are doing so for a special occasion or because they’re only in the city temporarily and want to “fit in”. Ironically this makes them stand out. I have unfortunately seen quite a few people almost fall over on the streets because of this. But everyone does look undeniably good. Maybe it’s because people are so busy that they have a look of confidence and determination about them that makes them more attractive. But I also see a true outward expression of style constantly on the streets that helps. When I’m at home I hardly ever wear anything but a sweater, especially if it’s cold, but here I wear clothes that make me look and feel good and more like myself, which I will probably not stop doing once I return.

But the food! I have never been more satisfied with food than I have been here. This past week alone I’ve a burger, Korean buffet, Chinese dumplings, and vegan sushi. It’s true that in New York you can eat out for a better price than cooking at home… as long as you do your research and go to the right places. Furthermore, there is something for everyone here; every cuisine can be found one way or another. Of course if you want to splurge I have my suggestions for that as well. This is also huge difference between here and Allegheny. Allegheny has little to no options whether you eat on campus, off campus, or cook on your own. And while it’s definitely more cost effective, I’d take options over that any day.

I'm gonna skip the art section... because it's all I do and I could talk about it for days... but art here is everything. I will put money on that everyone goes to galleries and performances no matter what they do for a living, and you can meet the most incredible people by joining them.

My friend Rob Jamner performing
an open mic at The Bitter End.

Art in the subway

However, as for culture shock, I was born in Monmouth County, NJ, and after leaving the hospital I was promptly brought to what was to be my home in Battery Park City, NY. (This is a section of the city on the southwest side that overlooks the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty.) After living there I moved to Rumson, NJ where I came into the city almost daily. Since leaving Rumson I have visited at least yearly. Simply stated, New York City is what I consider to be my home—my earliest memories are here and I have never felt more at home anywhere else. That said there are no stand out moments to me that gave me culture shock or made me realize definitive differences between here and where I’m from because everything here occurs so naturally to me. I'm constantly busy doing things that I love and, although I don't sleep very much, I can't get enough. I’m so low on the graph that I might never leave.