Observations of the City

The apartment buildings are super old…50 years old is considered new. Tall stairways in elevator-less apartments all lean to one side after years of climbing feet.

There’s less blond hair walking around…a lot more dark hair.

The squirrels are huge and just as jittery as anywhere.

There’s a lot of dog poop on the sidewalks.

Homeless people sometimes sing.

Walking around you hear as much Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, French, Russian, etc., etc., as you do English (maybe more).

Most people aren’t rude, they’re just focused on what they’re doing and where they’re going that they don’t take any extra time for pleasantries.

Restaurants are usually small with tables for two. Takeout is as popular as dining in.

Walk North or South in Manhattan for 10-15 minutes and you’ll noticeably change neighborhoods. The people, the shops, the air will all become something new and distinctive.

Lots of people ask for directions. Especially about where 8th Ave. is (this has happened to me 3 times in the past week…I’m going to have to go check out 8th Ave.).

Most buildings have a sublevel accessible by a trap door located just outside on the sidewalk. These are often left open and can be dangerous for a careless pedestrian.

Metal grates line sidewalks and provide ventilation for the subway underneath. I walk on them a lot and wonder if it’s safe.

There are specialist lawyers who work exclusively on cases involving trapdoor and metal grate accidents.

Pizza slices are eaten folded up and while you walk fast down the street.

The Statue of Liberty appears when you least expect it…like from the window of a plane, a view between two skyscrapers, or from the Ikea Brooklyn cafeteria.