My Last Night in NYC and I LOVE IT HERE!!!

Tonight I was inundated with visuals and sounds of New York City in Manhattan.  It was both stimulating and annoying.  But annoying for the fact that it was so hard to walk along the sidewalks without stopping and running into people.  Never mind the rude looks.

STORY FROM TONIGHT – I was taking my pictures and minding my own business as a me and as a Canadian.  In Times Square, there are the people who dress up (same as Las Vegas) and wait to get their photo taken and then ask for money.  I didn’t want photos of the people who walk on the ground, I wanted the neon lights and the LED billboards.  So the guy looks at me and says “You won’t take a photo of me because I am not ASIAN”.  Like WTF.  Really.  My delayed intelligence was too slow.  I should have said something different. And he repeated it like multiple times as if I didn’t hear or understand him.

I bought souvenirs at one of the many souvenir stands.  Then we went beyond that and met a street vendor that sold t-shirts, etc.  Got into a conversation with him.  Gave him some bracelets to share.  He took the bracelets and has friended me on Facebook.

Then Todd and I went to Tony’s Restaurant on 45th Street for a beverage.  We talked to the bartender and the manager.   Both shared stories with us.  The manager has young kids of his own and knows what needs to be done.  More bracelets given out.  More to share.

I love New York  and the people that make it so worthwhile to be here.  In the souvenir store, I found something with Amanda’s name on it.  Amanda had asked me that when she graduated if I would take her to New York.  I said yes I would.  Unfortunately, she never made it but I am here in her memory.   ‘Amanda – you would have loved it hear but I could also hear you complaining in my brain about all the people.  However, you would have loved all the lights.’

Happy Graduation Princess!! You will always be in my heart, soul and brain.  (one year early)