So this is New York.
What energy it holds! What excitement! The streets are lively as people go to and fro. There is no pattern in there walk, no left or right, so I dodge the onslaught of people finding my arms up, instinctively protecting my face as my shoulder catches another's and I'm spun around so briskly I lose my balance.
The hostel is small and cozy. New arrival's every hour and departures every other. "Want to grab a coffee together" a new comer asks this very morning. He's older but sincere and I smile at his courtesy declining sweetly as I am waiting for Ma to finish her hair in room 204.
I spend My birthday at Serendipity where the cute guy two tables across silently whispers "Happy Birthday" after my cherrfully adorable gay waiters sing to me as im brought our Cake and ice cream fudge desert in a tall cup with three candles lighted on top.
He whispers again "have a good birthday" as we leave and I'm wishing I could have ate at his table.
Cookie Monster and Elmo walk the streets of Town Square and I kick myself for not taking out my camera.
Mother was approached by two Obama haters last night selling "Obama Condoms"
"Ma'am, will you be ready for change when it's ready for you? We're selling the Ultimate Stimulus package right here!"
I laughed so hard I almost ingested my gum.
30th is easier to find when you know the cross street and 8th is easier to find when you remember that 30th is what you were looking for.
I made a friend at Starbucks when hot chocolate was just the thing to warm us up. "Do you want Mocha, Chocolate, a little dark, a little Hershey's." He was accenting his face with his hands and laughing at his own joke. "I like mine dark." I say flirtatiously. Now he was laughing at mine.
Mom says's I have a gift as every other guy smile's in my direction, winks, compliments me or insists on buying me coffee. I say I'm Medusa and they should steer clear. But the flattery makes me chuckle.
I meet Charley and Chris in the kitchen and learn they are traveling the world, California after this, than Fiji and Australia. It's my 22nd Birthday and they want to take me clubbing. The temptation is definitely not absent, but I won't leave mom as It's our first night in New York together. They offer me a beer after my rejection. "I don't drink" I state. And conversation dies. How silly I think.
I don't have a map, my feet hurt, my stomach grumbles. Were short on funds and the night approaches. It's rush hour and the subway is packed. I accidentally brush hands with an older man on the metro, eat hot dogs from a stand outside Central Park, take pictures of the lighted buildings and here, in the center of Manhattan, I fall in Love with New York and the magnificence it has to offer.
Mom says I'm so indecisive when it comes to my life and that I can never make up my mind. It hurts my feelings but I decide I'm moving here.
