Metropolian Megatown

My right foot extended past the automatic sliding doors as I took a first step onto the cool concrete.  There's was a quickness in my step, an urgency that only comes out on certain such occasions.  We made our way to the line to await our yellow chariot - maybe chariot is a bit glamorized... yellow cab that would wisk us from the hustle and bustle of the busy morning airport to the hustle and bustle of the always busy metropolitan megatown of New York City.

As we rode in the cab on the way to the city thoughts swirled around in my head.   Ten weeks ago I called the island city of Manhattan home.  Would I miss it terribly? How long would it take to adjust to life where you couldn't walk everywhere but had to drive? Those and many other apprehensions subconsciously came to my attention before the big move.  Now that the move had really happened, and this was no longer home, I looked out the window as we whizzed by other cabs and cars, happy to be going back to the city for a visit. As we continued our automotive journey over the Quensboro bridge and into the City, I immediately felt the edge and buzz of the city penetrate my skin and liven my senses. I anxiously watched the meter as it crept higher and higher and could literally feel the hole begin to take shape in the bottom of my wallet.  I hadn't forgot the price tag on everything in the city...

With luggage in tow we finally reached our destination, hopped out of the cab and assumed full Manhattan attitude.  Crossing the street before the light turned, weaving in and out of people all on their way, like us, somewhere important.  We entered the small cafe we were to meet my sister-in-law at, who was already waiting.  She looked fantastic.  The three of us talked and caught up as much as we could in the 20 minutes we had together.  When time was up we exited the cafe and met the still bustling city streets, she was off in a cab on her way to the airport to embark on her own weekend adventure.  There's one thing I knew I would feel when we moved and it became a pinch in my gut when we saw her off - I miss the people here.

New York City is an anomaly.  With about 1.6 million people in about 23 square miles, there is a constant flow and commotion of people moving in, moving out, traveling, visiting, living, working, doing just about everything.  The energy is contagious yet at the same time you stop every so often and wonder, why am I rushing?

The rushing sentiment was a bit different this time since we were visiting the city instead of living in it.  A smile crept across my face as I thought, right about now I would be taking the subway ride to work.  Why don't they build subways in every city? I mean, I know why, but what a great public transport system the city has.  We continued on with the day walking from midtown to upper east side and back down to the east village, meandering through the concrete jungle and reminiscing about all the fun times we had when we called it our home.  The brisk November air was a bit colder than I remember, I've found it's incredibly easy to forget how it feels to be cold.

There were two surprise birthday's we were lucky enough to be in town for and celebrating in New York City is really something spectacular.  With different bars, restaurants and sites to see around every corner.  We visited with friends and at the end of each party were grateful to collapse into the back seat of a cab who would screech through the city streets back to our awaiting hotel.  Another detail I forgot about the city is the roller coaster ride you get when you risk getting into a cab...

Sunday morning arrived and greeted us much quicker than we would have liked.  It would be back on a plane to South Carolina Sunday afternoon to return to our new home in what seemed like worlds away from this illustrious city.  I couldn't help but reflect once more on how I felt about being back in the metropolis.  The only conclusion I could come to was one of conflict.  I missed the lights, sounds, and excitement that always greeted and sometimes bombarded me each day I would set out to tackle city life.  The convenience of restaurants and stores of every type around every corner is definitely a force to be reckoned with.  Yet living amongst 2 million other people, often was a daunting task to deal with.  And let's remember I grew up in Southern California, a far cry from the bitter northeastern winters. I suppose the city was somewhat of a love and not like relationship for me.  Yet I also know that it's the type of place that is full of learning and challenges that strengthen, encourage and develop one's self.  No matter how I might feel about the hustle and bustle and every other component, both good and bad, that make up New York City, I will always know it was home for three years of my life, and with that - I felt good about leaving.