Sunday, September 11, 2005

The Big Apple

I want to visit New York City. I've always wanted to visit there, but I've never had the opportunity or funds for that particular adventure.

I'd like New Orleans. I always wanted to visit there, too. I've been to Baton Rouge, but only for like two hours and no sight seeing, but New Orleans has such a rich history - it's been on the list of places to visit for a long time. And both places, NY and NO, are often used as settings for novels.

Now both have been changed drastically - I wish I could have seen the Twin Towers. And of course, it's going to be a long time coming before New Orleans is back on its feet, and I'm sure even then, some things just won't be the same. Just like New York won't ever be the same.

But regardless of waiting to go until after the faces of these cities have changed, I still really want to go. I don't know if I'd like NY full-time. The noise, the darky scary places, and public transportation. I'm not used to those things. I'm originally from Dallas/Ft. Worth, but it's not like NY. We all had our own cars. True, we had cabs and buses, but there was never a reason for me to use them. I'd had a car since I was 15. I just drove where I wanted to be.

I went to Chicago once for a FABULOUS weekend. And when I packed, I put that new (at the time) hand gel sanitizer in my purse. The idea of public transportation freaked me out a bit. I mean, you hear about what happens on subways and heck, even in cabs. That's like infection just waiting to happen. So I packed my gel and then had the person I laughed at me for three days over it. Admittedly, I didn't use it as much as I'd thought, but just in case, I was ready.

When I stayed in Chicago that long weekend, we'd go out and it would be 3am and the city was still wide awake and people everywhere. I was shocked when I realized how late it was one night - it seemed like maybe 10pm with the amount of people still milling around the city sidewalks. That's how I imagine NYC to be. After all, isn't it called "The city that never sleeps"? But for a visit, for a long weekend, I bet it'd be so exciting to see all the places I've read about. I just read Julie Kenner's THE GIVENCHY CODE and she mentions such lovely places: The Plaza, Grand Central Station, St. Patrick's Catherdal. *le sigh*

The more I read about NYC, the more I forget about things like subways, muggings, etc., and think of the delicious things like Madison Avenue and all the shops there.

Of course, I'd need about $100,000 to TRULY enjoy myself.

Do you have a place like that? One that you'd never really wanted to visit, but then reading about it made you want to go REALLY REALLY badly?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think a lot of people now wish they had been to New Orleans, especially if the bulldoze it now. I spent a long weekend once in NYC and it was all that people said and I'd love to go back. Certain ciites such as NYC, Chicago, L.A, and others just have a life of their own. Yes, it'd be fun to have $100,000 to truly enjoy being a tourist.

TJ Brown said...

One of my fav trips anywhere was chicago. I have heard people say they would rather go there then anywhere. And I noticed how late people stay up... and always having a cab?

I long to go back.
Teri

Shannon McKelden said...

I've been to both NY and NO..and right now I truly wish I'd been able to make another trip to NO before the hurricane. I fear it will never be quite the same, although the spirit and determination of the people there WILL rise again, I'm sure of it. Maybe different, but I say give them a few years and they'll be back. Maybe better than ever.

As for NY, I was there for a week two years ago for RWA National, and it was FABU!! I would never live there, as I'm a hometown girl at heart, but I'll tell you, we never once saw a mugging...course we didn't go on the subway either, but we DID walk around at midnight in our party finery after drinks in the Rainbow Room, and it was wonderful. Just like any city there are places NOT to go, but the places that you can go are worth every minute. Both NY and NO are places I'd go back to in a heartbeat...and oddly, before going, I didn't think I'd like either of them!
Shannon

Anonymous said...

I have been to New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and various other cities, but none compare to the electrifying rush I feel when in NYC. I love standing in the middle of Manhattan with the enegry of millions coursing through me. I had the opportunity to spend a few days in New Orleans, but failed to make the trip. I regret it so much now. I imagine New Orleans as an old romantic city with an edgey playful atmosphere. The dark jazz bars, the Garden District, the French Quarter. May it rise again to it's undilitued state of all that is and was New Orleans.

Great site! Congratulations and I wish you the best in your journey towards becoming published.

g. said...

I've been all over the US and Europe but I'd love one trip to London (with the requisite $100,000) before the Olympic Planning Committee gets ahold of it - they will ruin it, at least IMHO that's what's happened to places like Barcelona which are now completely modernized thanks to the Olympic games ! But yeah, London would be great.

gina
www.gigigeorge.blogspot.com

Stephanie Tyler said...

*waves from NY*

I've lived 1/2 hour outside Manhattan my whole life - my husband works there. I just love it - it's got an energy you've got to experience for yourself, so hurry and visit.

And yes, NO is definitely a place I wish I had visited before. We almost went this past June, but my husband's business trip was cancelled. But I know it'll come back, and I'll be there as soon as it does.

Anonymous said...

I've been all over the USA. I lived in Poughkeepsie NY for three years and got down to NYC just about every weekend. I've only been to New Orleans twice. What's the *best* city in the USA? Portland, Oregon, of course!!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Brenda.

I know what you mean about missing out of NO. I've been wanting to go there for years and now it'll never be the same as it was. I still want to go when they rebuild it, though.

My place is Scottland and I plan to make that dream come true next year. :-) From over here, it's just a couple hour plane ride and they even have cheap tickets for under two hundred dollars. Woo hoo!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Brenda.

I know what you mean about missing out of NO. I've been wanting to go there for years and now it'll never be the same as it was. I still want to go when they rebuild it, though.

My place is Scottland and I plan to make that dream come true next year. :-) From over here, it's just a couple hour plane ride and they even have cheap tickets for under two hundred dollars. Woo hoo!

Karyn Lyndon said...

My company sent me to live in New York for three months for training. It was like a dream...living in a Manhatten highrise apartment with a view of the Empire State Building, taking a cab to work, shopping at Macy's and Bloomies, eating at Windows on the World in the Trade Center and Tavern on the Green in Central Park... While I was there I saw 13 Broadway shows...on the company per diem! I want to go back but I know it won't be the same...