OK, before I go too far into my take on NYC I must be honest and say that I spent a whole two days there and didn’t see much outside of Manhattan. “Well you didn’t see NYC then!” Yeah this is mostly true but I’ve been hearing about the wonders of NYC since I was a young little furball. Yet, to be frank I wasn’t all that impressed.
I think it’s the fact that it is a big city, like the biggest in the U.S. that makes such a huge draw towards it. I really think if I went to NYC before I’ve seen so much of the US, and a small portion of the world for that matter, beforehand. I spent a summer just north of Los Angeles when I was in high school, visited Chicago a dozen or more times, Houston a few times, Columbus and Cleveland are only a stones throw away, Detroit hundreds of times – and not just for the airport. That is only in the US, I also lived in Rio de Janeiro for 4 months, spent a few weeks in Tokyo and Lima. This is all before I actually went to NYC, leading up to my ‘meh’ impression.
Now, I didn’t spend time with the locals and most of my experiences were very touristy, and that I did enjoy but the wow factor wasn’t there. I’ve known people who came back from NYC, telling stories as if they were speaking about a true love but I didn’t get that. There were plenty of things I enjoyed, and many others I have yet to experience there but it wasn’t When Harry Met Sally’s Katz’s Delicatessen scene.
It was missing something.
It had the size that made me think of Tokyo but wasn’t nearly as clean or safe. Times square reminded me of Shibuya with all the lights and ad boards. It did make me realize that any subway shot in a movies did not have to add any grit, NYC provides it own.
The dirt and grime aspect made me think of Rio, but without the beach culture, beach people and well…beach. Yeah I know New York Harbor is there but compared to Copacabana and Ipanema? Plus Rio is more of a bus town than a metro, but even their metro, while very limited, was clean.
I guess to truly know the city I’ll have to revisit and spend more than a weekend there. I’m sure I’ll find plenty to see and do – which that may be the attraction, the plethora of everything in a relatively small area.
What was your take on the Big Apple?
From Marcin:
The Hoboken is the best place to see how big Manhattan is. Here are a few panoramas I did from Hoboken. http://www.fotoblog.gorgolewski.pl/nowyjork004.html I luv NY.
From visit:
Does your website have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you
an e-mail. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.
visit´s last [type] ..visit
From Cornelius Aesop:
Sorry, I really only post my info on our advertisement page…I really should include my contact info on my about me page. My email is [email protected] I look forward to hearing from you.
From Ayngelina:
I’m heading there in ten days and taking my mother and sister for the first time. I have been a couple times for work but honestly I like Toronto better.
Ayngelina´s last [type] ..I’m on vacation
From Cornelius Aesop:
It has been 15 years since I’ve been to Toronto so I couldn’t tell you much about it, plus I was very young at the time. As for your upcoming trip to NYC, best of luck and have fun. There is plenty to do even if it isn’t your favorite big city.