How I learned to "Like" The Big Apple

Freedom Tower, One World Trade Centre

Part II of our series: Is New York The Greatest City?

Just a few weeks ago, my wife and I attended an LG Kitchen event on the 112 floor of 1 World Trade Center. When we boarded the elevator, we had no idea that it will take us from 60 seconds to reach the observatory floor. Wow-wee! What a ride that was!

You may recall that on my last post I asked is NYC the greatest city? That question is still the subject of this post. Is the battle now joined? Some may be thinking that I am knocking New Yorkers, but in reality, I am simply giving my perception of this city that I now call home.

Is New York City the greatest city on earth? Don't take it too personal folks.

Let's go over New York resident author Andrew Price's article: 25 Truths That Only Real New Yorkers Understand. Let the debate begin!

Times Magazine cover of the Twin Towers after the September 11 attack

The sound of silence: A very rare sight of Kennedy Airport after the 9/11 Terrorist Attack

Road Block Lower Manhattan

Reason number 19. “9/11. Everyone remembers where they were on that fateful day.” Andrew Price

Everyone remembers that fateful day. I was in London at the time, watching it live from my computer, and simply thought my eyes were deceiving me. When I flew into New York seven weeks later, Kennedy Airport was unbelievably quite - and almost empty. You can only imagine the stringent
security checks some of us had to go through that day. Visiting downtown Manhattan, seeing the police and army patrolling the streets was a sight to behold. No! I will not forget 9/11. 

Smart phones: The New Normal

Driving and Texting: A dangerous and reckless thing to do while driving. 

One can compare it to drinking and driving

Reason number 18. “New Yorkers are the multitasking masters. On any average day you will find someone with headphones listening to music, texting, holding a cup of iced coffee while stepping onto the correct subway without looking up once.” Andrew Price

Ha! Some New York drivers are doing the same, texting and driving. This is a very foolish behavior, and it is becoming more and more common to hear reports on drivers being distracted behind the wheel. I’ve seen drivers pass on a red traffic lights, running into pedestrians while turning on a busy junction as frustrated pedestrians leaped up and start kicking their cars. New Yorkers can be brilliantly irritating.

Work in Progress: Scene from a typical weekend on the subway as commuters are forced to change their travel plans because of major service changes

Weekends are ripe for maintenance work, that means you have to brace yourself for train delays, and massive agitation from your fellow commuters

A commuter waiting on his train at the station. Can you say "He's Fed Up" ten times?!

Reason number 17. “Partying on the weekend is for the tourists. True New Yorkers are caught hitting the town on weeknights.” Andrew Price

True! Travel on the subway on any given weekend, and you will find the subway packed with tourists. The funny thing (not) is, the MTA closes down large section of the subway system to carry out maintenance work, creating so much chaos that even seasoned New Yorkers are incapable of handling. I once asked an MTA staffer what I needed to do to get to point b, and you know what his response was "why are you asking me this for?" Are you nuts? Only in New York, folks.

Springtime at the Shake Shack on 86th Street

Reason 16. “You know, hands down, Shake Shack is better than In-And-Out.” Andrew Price

One day I was sitting in Shake Shack on East 86th Street, and the city's mayor, Bill de Blasio made a pit stop to have his his burger - while all is heavies hovered around. I guess Shake Shack had his vote. Is it the best burger joint in town? You must be the judge that.

Real Live New York Cab Drivers

Reason 15. “When getting into a taxi, only the out-of-towners will be seen fastening their seat belts. Never a New Yorker. Despite the fact that your driver is probably over-tired, underpaid and prone to speeding - you wouldn't dare put one on.” Andrew Price

True! Rarely would a driver tell you to buckle-up, would you buckle yourself  in a cab with a these cabbies? (If you were to do an advertising ad for a new beefcake calendar, these drivers would be the new definition to beefcake - not!). There’s no way this Brit would buy their calendar - to be sure. On several occasions, I’ve hailed a cab and told the driver my destination. The responses have been “I'm not going that way” or “it’s my break” - words to that effect, as they drive off leaving me bemused. Like they say 'It's nothing personal'  Ah, I bet! I guess I’m just pointing out the aberration from the ordinary taxi experiences.