Everybody should have the chance to travel in their life. Everybody should get to climb on a plane and explore the world. If you can travel you should. There is so much more to this world than just where you are. This week I had the amazing chance to travel to New York City. NYC is a place many people all over the world are fascinated with and I am no different. It has always been on my bucket list. I learned a lot while in New York, and I would like to share them with you!
1. If you're polite to people they will be nice to you.
Everybody tells you that New Yorkers are rude, but the truth is tourists are the rude ones. I went into this trip expecting to be upset by the rudeness of New Yorkers, however most of them were not rude at all. In Texas we expect a big "Howdy!" from everybody we come in contact with but that just isn't possible in NYC. There are so many people there. You pass thousands of people a day, even a nod to everyone would be so difficult. In most cases if you're nice to them, they will be nice to you. There are always those people that are grumpy, but that happens everywhere.
2. People in NYC do hold the door open for you.
People made me believe that this was only a southern thing, but it's not. If a New Yorker sees you coming, they'll hold the door open for you just like they would here. Sometimes it's more about the amount of people holding open the door for the person behind them but it does happen.
3. If you act like you're hiding something, you'll get mugged.
My mom was so worried about me carrying a purse in the city because she thought I was going to get mugged. Here's the thing, if you cling on to your bag like you have something to hide that is when someone is going to come for you. They don't want my purse that is zipped but hanging at my side because I'm not hiding anything good. However, when you hold on to that purse like everybody on the street is going to steal it, somebody is going to try. That's not to say you should be lax about protecting your stuff, just don't be so obvious about it.
4. Time Square is cool and then it's not.
Everybody visiting New York should visit Time Square. It's a really cool place. Lights are everywhere, people are everywhere and weird characters that want your money to take pictures with them are everywhere. But there New Yorkers have good reasons for not going down there. It's so busy, and the later it gets the busier it gets. It's more rowdy than other parts of the city. And when it comes down to it, it is very touristy and filled with people who actually are rude.
5. The top of the Empire State Building is the place to be.
It's amazing, as long as you're not afraid of heights. If you're going to NYC, make sure to go to the Empire State Building.
6. China Town is a creepy place.
The plus side to china town is cheap souvenirs, fake designer bags and jewelry. The downside to most China Town shops is the shop owners. They will follow or hire people to follow you down the streets trying to get you to buy their items. It's all fun and games until they start touching you. My advice is to never go to China Town alone, but you should experience it at least once.
7. The Statue of Liberty is really beautiful.
As I stood on the Staten Island Ferry and looked at the statue of liberty, I was overwhelmed by just how pretty she is. Lady Liberty symbolizes so much more than freedom for this country. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of Lady Liberty and the beauty of what she stands for.
8. You MUST visit St. Patrick's Cathedral.
It was beautiful, and when I say beautiful, that doesn’t describe it well enough AT ALL. It was one of those all-consuming moments. I stood there and I couldn’t move or breathe. All these people were standing around me taking pictures, and I just wanted to take it all in. I wanted to not worry about my camera and just see. It was perfect both inside and out.
9. Broadway is AWESOME.
I didn't expect to love broadway as much as I did. We saw "The Lion King" and it was amazing. I would prefer the play to the movie, any day! If you're in New York a broadway show is something that needs to be seen!
10. Sometimes surprising places feel like home.
I have always been a Texan girl. I was born and raised here, and I love it here. There was something about New York City that I loved so much. Everybody around me kept saying there was no way there could ever live there. It was a very strange feeling to look around at the skyscrapers, the taxis and the subways and feel comfortable. It was even more strange to hear all the noise and not mind. Maybe it was my wanderlust kicking in but New York City quickly became somewhere I could see myself living.
