Waiting on a rainy day

Where I grew up it was a common question to ask when seeing a friend soaking wet was, "Did your Mom ever teach you to get out of the rain?"  Here in the city there seems to be a real void on this saying.  

People here will stand in the rain waiting for anything and everything!  Where I get off the train there is a coffee truck that will have 5 people in line no matter how bad the deluge.  It is not only coffee people will get wet for, it is burgers, shakes, cupcakes, pizza, sample sales, designer boutiques sales. and more. 


I always thought it was only the tourists that would stand in long lines but I was wrong. The main difference is that tourists wait to see the sights like The Empire State Building and New Yorkers wait to eat or shop. I even heard about one woman who was walking down the sidewalk and saw a really long line so she just got in the line. She didn't even know what the line was for but told someone if the line is this long, it must be good. 


You might think that these people have an umbrella. It is much more typical to see people standing in the rain in their waterproof jackets without an umbrella. Umbrellas can be helpful but often just get in the way, especially in line since they tend to poke your neighbor. If you fill the need to get an umbrella buy the cheapest thing you can get on the street.  All of the street vendor umbrellas are pieces of junk so don't feel like your investment will pay if you get a bigger one.  One little tip, you can get a decent umbrella (as long as it's not too windy) at just about any 99 cent store.

When you are here you will rely heavily on your feet and so you can't allow the rain to ruin your day.  You will be outside a lot and have to be ready for the rain.  Wear rain boots or something water resistant if you don't like we feet.  No matter what, suck it up and get out there and get in line. There is too much to see, eat and buy to stay home in the rain or snow for that matter. 

Wanna talk like a New Yorker?

If you want to know what people in the city are saying watch this video.  This is all too true!  You might be surprised...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRvJylbSg7o

Holiday Wrap Up

The holiday season is officially over.  Many people consider New Years to be the end of the season and it probably should be but one can't forget the end of college football. Now that we have a new national champion it is officially time to call it the new year. Our first holiday season in the city was really interesting.

There were MANY surprises about being in the city over the Holidays.  It is truly hard to decide what is worth writing about so I will attempt to give a visitor guide of things that you will probably not find in the guide books.

The first surprise was the awesomeness of the many Holiday Markets that can be found all over the city throughout the season.  There are these 15-50 stall markets set up in these temporary huts.  I now you are thinking how any "I Love NY" shirts can they sell.  These markets are night like this at all.  They are filled with local artisans and small business selling hand crafted gifts.  These are a great place to get one of a kind goodies.  If you were on my list this year you may be a proud recipient and not even know it.

The tree at Rockefeller Center is a sight to be seen but something we learned was don't go to see it the first Saturday after it is lit. We made that mistake. We headed that way and found huge crowds. It you want to go make sure to wait till a week or two after it is lit and try for a weekday or night and not a weekend.

Another surprise was no snow. The holidays in the city were supposed to be snow filled but not this year. We had hoped to see 5th Ave and Central Park covered in the snow. We didn't get to see that but the window displays on 5th Ave were still great. We enjoyed seeing the amazing displays in the windows even without snow. So if you come around Christmas time make sure to hit 5th Ave and see the window displays.

Well Happy New Year and stay tuned for more surprises!

If not you, then who?

This phrase was brought to life for me when I was a camp counselor. Our director asked us to be aware of trash around camp an pick it up. He planted the phrase in my brain, if not you, then who? To this day as I walk down the street and see a piece of trash I think of this phrase.

Here in NYC this phrase is alive and well-sometimes for good and sometimes for not. It would be surprising to see people here in the city applying this phrase and actually picking up trash off the sidewalk. The way I see this phrase come to life for me the most though is on my commute. It has come to life for me in a whole new way. I have learned that if I don't assert myself someone else will. If I don't fill in the space on the train or the stairs someone else will. Along the same lines if I don't give up my seat for a child or older person who will.

In summary, step into the gap, make your way around people so you can make the train, give up your seat, and remember you're the WHO.

Street Noise

I live on a busy street in NY and it always has something going on no matter what un-Godly hour is on the clock.  We have enjoyed more than one interesting episode of 80 proof idiocy and even witnessed a few breakups from the bedroom window.

On one lovely evening I was awakened by an enormous amount of shouting only to see six fall down drunk 20 somethings stumbling and yelling outside.  They were making no sense but trying to look cool on their phones. I wish I had their number so I could tell them to keep moving! 

Another night, I had what may have been THE ultimate grumpy New York experience.  It was the middle of the night and one guy was screaming who knows what at a light pole and the second guy leans out of the window and begins screaming obscenities at the first guy for a solid 20 seconds.  This was of course followed by 2-3 other people yelling at the 2nd guy to knock it off.  All of this was happening at around 3AM.

Just a couple nights ago I enjoyed a true display of affection when one guy was daring his girlfriend to run him down with her SUV.  She tried repeatedly but was never able to connect.  While this was disturbing...I am not sure whose team I was on.  

I will close with some sound travel advice.  Get a hotel room as high and as far away from the street as you can.  You want NO part of a low hotel room facing an avenue unless you are hoping to spot some drama.  

Good Luck!!

Three Wide...

No this post is not about how New Yorkers love Nascar.  I am pretty sure they do not have an in the closet obsession with Jeff Gordon.  Three wide in the city is a dead giveaway for tourists as well as really annoying locals.

If you happen to find yourself walking down the sidewalk and you are three wide most likely there is someone behind you plotting your demise.  This city is all about hustle and bustle.  If I can't get by you on the sidewalk, no matter how great of a picture of the Empire State Building you are trying to get, I am not happy.  New York is not a vacation for me and I need to get to work, lunch, or back to the train.  My primary mode of transportation is my feet so I need to go the a bit above the speed limit when possible.

Look, we all slow down to read our phones or look at a store front but just like the road get out of the way if you are going to slow down.  Consider the sidewalk a street, stay in your lane and move with the flow of traffic.  This is LOCALS and tourists and by all means never block the stairs to the subway.  This may get you bumped (shoved) down the stairs by accident.

It should come as no surprise everyone in New York is in a hurry to get somewhere!

I'm Wearin' It!

Today it is nearly 60 degrees in New York City!  Yes, it is early December and no this is not normal. Millions of people are dealing with the problem of what to wear.  Most people in NY have to choose between winter clothes or summer clothes.  There is just not enough closet space to go around.  I went from a closet I could have slept in to a closet that I can't stand in.

Once the winter clothes come out there is no going back.  I never understood this fact fully until you see people wearing huge down filled coats suited for 10 degrees in the middle of a warm day.  Once those coats, sweaters, and hats are out they wear them.  You want to blend in just wear a big coat and headphones no matter what is going on around you!

I am not sure if this is laziness or just the city acknowledging the inevidable!