I eventually began to wonder how New Yorkers feel about having tourists like me in their city. Nine times out of ten, I'm sure they wouldn't know we were there. I seriously doubt I toured the UN with New Yorkers, for example. Or saw any on the top of the Empire State Building. But, what about the ones on the subway who heard us curse as we realized we took the right subway line, but going in the wrong direction? Or the ones in Battery Park who heard me convince Zach (for a good five seconds) that the U.S. Navy memorial is actually a monument to all the pigeons killed daily in the city? Or the ones (gathering for Saturday evening Mass) who turned disapprovingly at me when I inadvertantly cursed after dropping my eyeglasses in Saint Patrick's Cathedral? The ones who served me food, tore my tickets, and said "yessir" (or "si seņor") with a rehearsed precision suitable for military service?
Did they look at me with
contempt?: "F*ckin' tourist."
remorse?: "Pitiful. Midwesterners-Turned-Seattlites never know how to stand clear of the subway doors."
awe?: "I never expected the personification of Rock Bottom to wear hoodies."
glee?: "Yay! Because we certainly don't have enough gays or tourists in this city!"
I asked two New Yorkers and one former New Yorker how they felt about Zach and I taking on the Big Apple. All three were giddy for us to visit, so I contented myself that we really belonged there. Then, I realized that the two New Yorkers I asked were the two friends, one-armed Sarah and two-armed Paul, we were there to visit. The former New Yorker was my mother.
I've never really thought of my own home, Seattle, as much of a tourist destination. Sure, it's a terrific place to live, but I'm always puzzled when I see tourists at the Pike Place Market. It's nice to go to on occasion, but why fly all the way just to see some guys throw some fish around. The Space Needle? Don't get me started.
So, is this how New Yorkers (like him) feel? Did they see me walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, jaws agape, and think, "What's his defect?" Did the doorman at The Producers wonder why I was smiling on my way out? Perhaps they simply see it as a necessary evil: consequence of existing in, by far, the largest city in the country. A cultural and economic metropolis with much to offer its 8+ million residents and, alas, 6+ billion other humans who, for the humble price of an airline ticket, can obtain a temporary slice.
And this human liked the taste. We spent more time than I expected doing "touristy" things, but kept our evenings free for more relaxing alternatives. I think that's what I enjoyed most about this excursion: while we spent the day wandering about, just the two of us, by evening our friends were free for social endeavors. Past (albeit shorter) vacations we've taken recently to Oregon and British Columbia, while fun, lacked that extra, highly coveted aspect: people to share it with. Perhaps most of our future trips will need this goal: someone to visit. Perhaps.
But, when we weren't visiting, we spent our time well: trekking across the Brooklyn Bridge, skipping hand-in-hand through the Metropolitan Museum of Art, imagining myself addressing the UN General Assembly, interrupting Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, watching Chinatown consume Little Italy, falling asleep on the subway during the long ride up to Inwood, napping in Central Park, and making friends with the slow lorises (lori?) at the Bronx Zoo. And let's not forget the food.
Alas, there's much we didn't have time and energy to do. Both Paul and Sarah had plenty of suggestions for our next visit. Here's hoping they don't move out of New York beforehand.
Posted by James at September 9, 2005 12:28 PM