As I am halfway to completely moving to New York, I thought I’d reach out to you all to see what I should do here (especially as I love crowdsourcing so much). As in, if you were here, what would you go eat or see or do. I originally thought I’d do the top 100 things to do in Timeout but it’s all done by season or type of thing to do. I want a real mix.
So this is my to-do list thanks to you. I’ve put the person’s name beside the item they suggested and I’ll add a link when I write about my adventure there. I’m also blogging 50 walks of New York so make sure to keep an eye on that as well.
Anything I’m missing? Leave a comment and I’ll add it to the list.
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At my leaving drinks, my lovely friend Alice gave this set of “50 New York walk” cards. Each card has one short tour set in different areas of New York. What genius. You take one card out with you – there’s a map, a few points for you to stop at and then you’re done.
Alice’s charge to me? Blog about them. So I am.
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I’m writing this as I fly over the Atlantic. It seems apt as I’m halfway between London and New York. Just as my life is.
10 years ago, on 31 December, 2001, I gave away everything I owned. Bed, pictures, ornaments, presents, posters, books, clothes, dishes, everything. I packed what I owned in one backpack and boarded a plane to London. I arrived in Camden in a uniform of jeans, hoodie, bandana, braids and steel toe boots. My backpack? It had a Canadian flag on it. I owned 3 pairs of shoes. I could move house with one trip on the tube.
10 years later and I’m off again. Trading Big Ben for the Empire States Building, St. Paul’s for the Statue of Liberty, the West End for Broadway. My new favourite bridge will be the one to Brooklyn instead of the one over the Thames. My coffee will come 50 ways and I’ll tip heavily for it.
I will be an outsider. My clothes are British as is my humour and my Canadian roots come out every time I say sorry, “out and about” or express my absolute living and breathing love of hockey.
But how could I not say yes when I was offered the job to come here?
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As I sit in Newark International Airport on my way to London, I thought I’d reflect on my first week in New York.
It’s been a strange trip for me as this is going to be one week of many in New York. By March, I should be fully settled into New York as a Brooklyn resident working in Manhattan. So I didn’t go nuts on the touristy stuff and instead just enjoyed myself (in a slightly jet-lagged state). I did make it to MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) and am now officially a member. At $25 a visit, the $70 annual membership (including free films) seemed cheap.
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The Hallelujah moment.
As we approached New York, the sun broke through the clouds Very new beginnings-esque. I have to admit I was teary as I watched the water sparkle under us. I was arriving in the place I’ll soon call home. This is step one. I’ve come over to meet my US colleagues and will spend the first week in my new home.
So many cabs, so little time.
I’m in a New York cab and I’m trying to sound like I know where I’m going. My landlord and new flatmate gave me directions so hopefully I’ll make it there all OK.
I’m not sure how I’m supposed to be feeling. I’m in the in-between place. I had my leaving do where I cried too much, packed bags to come to NY for a week and then I’m back again to the UK as I sort my visa. But it’s exciting to have a bed and a roof and new shops and coffee haunts to try out.
I know this isn’t going to be easy nor is it going to be the same. I’ve moved continents before and though I do see some people from back home still, it’s mostly my family and a few good friends. There are so many amazing people in my life in the UK, I don’t want to lose that connection to them. I love that I can go out in London and run into someone I know.
But maybe now that we’re in a different age, I’ll keep those connections. Facebook, Twitter, Skype, etc, etc, will make those people closer than they would have been even 5 years ago. It’s just about making the time. And having space to be with new friends and old. Hello New York. Pleased to meet you.
A view from my office - how more New York can you get?
As I am halfway to completely moving to New York, I thought I’d reach out to you all to see what I should do here (especially as I love crowdsourcing so much). As in, if you were here, what would you go eat or see or do. I originally thought I’d do the top 100 things to do in Timeout but it’s all done by season or type of thing to do. I want a real mix.
Stalk me online