I witnessed my first New York snow today and so I see this as a fitting start to my new blog. Over the next few months I am determined to slip into the New Yorker lifestyle and get to know the city as if I have lived there for longer than just a quarter of the year. While this is certainly an ambitious goal, I hopefully will come somewhat close.
While it’s only been two weeks, as lame as it sounds, it certainly feels like I’ve been here for a much longer time. I’ve quickly adapted to hopping on and off the subway, understanding the grid system and what’s been weirdly familiar is getting used to the fast walkers of NYC. I am yet to be cornered by a tourist guide so I must be doing something right to fit in with my new citizens.
The thing that does make me stand out is that I still have not got over the touristy gaze that I give every time I exit a subway station. Yes, I am still in awe at the sheer size of the buildings and the shocking driving and treatment of pedestrians that most New Yorkers are at home with. Nevertheless, I feel totally at ease with my morning subway commute and the receptionists at the offices have begun to see me as part of the team. While the jet lag still wears off (yes, two weeks later), I am sure I’ll be seen as a Londoner at heart and something that I definitely do not want to shake off. I’ve been asked if I am Australian twice so far and my UK Driver’s License is always met with the same comment of ‘Ooh, I’ve never seen one of these before!’. Alas, lots of people find my accent endearing and I’m continually asked what I think of Megxit.
As the next few months begin to unfold, I hope to use this blog as a way of tracking my highs (and my lows) while I’m in the Big Apple. It really is an experience I won’t want to forget and one I’ll be annoyingly talking of in the future.
Cressie’s adventures 