People, Places: Raison d’être

Experience Life

Brief Chat with a New York Cabbie

I jumped in a random cab on 6th Avenue and 14th.  The cab driver was very friendly and asked where I was from almost immediately.  Although, I’m friendly too, so I usually do strike up conversation with the cabbie.  The topics range.  In this case, it turns out my driver grew up in Boston, just a few miles from where I live now. He moved to NYC in the 1970’s.  He said he preferred NYC over Boston ‘because anything is possible.”  Geez, doesn’t everyone says that? I pretty sure he meant that in a practical way such as food 24/7 etc. versus fortune seeking.  I enjoy visiting and exploring, but I never had a desire to live there. I prefer Boston over NYC, and I guess that’s why it’s my home now.

I discover something interesting each time I visit, but I also notice quite a bit of sadness and struggle. I suppose it depend upon where in the city I am.  I usually stay in the mid-town area (garment district) close to my company’s office.  This is not a flashy area of the city. There are remnants of the high-traffic drug area that used to be near the Penn Station.  The cab driver said the street my hotel is on used full of crack addicts, and he used to drive through with his doors locked. Today, it’s cleaned up, lined with brand new hotels and safe enough to walk along in the evening. Well, anyone with a bit of street smarts that is. There are still questionable shops in the area. Frankly, I don’t necessarily mind the grittiness. It’s more interesting than walking past sterile national retail chains that look identical.

Speaking of sterile retail chains, cabby also lamented on the loss of mom and pop shops.  This is where he dropped his guard for a moment to acknowledge that his beloved city has changed over the years and not all for the better.  He hinted that NYC lost some of its edge over the years. The culprit: too many chains and visitors aren’t as bold as they used to be.

I agree with him, but it’s not just NYC.  It’s every city. As rents rise, independent shop owners are usually priced out of the market, so the have to move to an up-and-coming area and the cycle continues.  Unfortunately, the average person prefers to stay in their comfort zone. They want to stick to what they know, and they prefer not to stray too far. He talked about how his passengers used to be more adventurous. Years ago, tourists would ask him to drive to Harlem, when it was still Harlem, and other off-the-beaten path locations. Travelers wanted to see reality and mix with locals not other tourists. Now, it’s just Times Square, Central Park and the usually top 10 places identified in travel books.

Unfortunately, it was a short cab ride, and we didn’t have a chance to talk further.  If it wasn’t late, I would have taken a longer way back to the hotel.

June 15, 2010 Posted by | Domestic, New York City | Leave a comment

Sleeping in a city that never sleeps

I know my way around Paris better than New York City, but that is changing. In October, I joined a company based in New York City, so I’ll be here on a regular basis.  As I write this entry, I hear the sound of horns, traffic, and loud voices rising up to my 8th floor hotel room facing West 31st street.  I would not normally choose to stay so close to Madison Square Garden, but I rolled the dice with priceline.com, and here I am. Yes, it’s a noisy area, but it was nice to exit Penn Station and drop off my luggage before heading the office at 42nd & Fifth Ave.  

I have limited free time while I’m in town on business, but I make the most of every moment. I’ve been studying New Yorkers with the eye of a social anthropologist. I observe as many details as I can to understand and experience why NYC is one of the most fascinating cities in the world.  It’s nice to get to know the city better after all these years.

What have I noticed so far?

NY has become a bike-friendly city.  Biking down Broadway during the day is now in the realm of possibilities and no longer reserved for the brave bike messengers. You can also sit at a cafe style table on Broadway which has been converted into an urban park. 

Bryant park is a popular lunch spot on a warm day. It’s  behind the NY public library which is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. It has the feel of a museum.  There is currently an ice rink and holiday shopping area in the park.

People actually do eat food sold by street vendors. I’ve been working up the courage to try something.  I opted for the roasted nuts, and I lived to tell.  It’s not always easy to eat healthy food when traveling, so I do appreciate all of the fruit stands in the city.  Only 40 cents for a banana. What a bargain in this town!

If starts to rain and you don’t have an umbrella, no problem!  Street vendors are opportunistic, and they appear with loads of them for sale.  Which is great because it’s impossible to get a cab in midtown when it’s raining particularly during rush hour. And, as always, it’s easy to buy a knock off pashmina scarf, designer bag and/or watch. I’ve picked a few up for friends.

I should note, that despite what some people think of New Yorkers, they are very friendly and approachable.  It’s very easy to strike up a conversation, get directions etc.  I mostly eat dinner alone while in town, and I frequently meet interesting people . Some are tourists, but most are locals that provide excellent tips on where to eat next and what to do etc.

Beautiful, ornate architecture is everyone.  Often you have to look up. Hotel lobbies, elevator doors, light posts, you name it.  I have to remember to take more photos.

Oh, I’ve also had a bird’s-eye view from a few of the hotels I’ve stayed in.  There is quite a bit of greenery on the roof tops of many buildings.

Every section of the city has it’s own personality.  Midtown is pretty touristy for obvious reasons.  It’s visual caffeine.  If you are tired, you can elbow your way though a stampede of people in Time Square.  People, sound, and lights everywhere.

I had dinner in the trendy meatpacking district tonight at the Spice Market. I sat at the Chef’s table which had a wonderful view of the kitchen. I sat next to a couple visiting from Sydney.  We talked about the recession in the US and its global effects, travel, life in the States versus Australia. They were heading to DC next. It was their first trip to the US.

After dinner I walked southwest via Greenwich/West Village.  Ah, the Village is more my speed.  Quaint streets, cafes, shops and trees!

As for fashion trends: black is the new black. Riding boots and skinny pants seem to be the staple of most women.

I’ll continue to write about my NY experiences over time.

December 6, 2009 Posted by | Domestic, New York City, Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment