I Want to Be a Part of It!

As you may have noticed, my blog is newadventuresofolddanielle. I created it in hopes of actually having new adventures and it has come to pass. Next Monday, I will be heading to New York City!! I have dreamed of moving there for as long as I can remember but figured it might be better to test the waters first. I will admit, though, that I'm equal parts scared and excited.

I know several people who currently live there and they love every minute of it. They go on about how there is so much to do and see, the people are nice, etc. etc. My mother, however, paints quite a different picture. Normally, I would chalk it up to her being worried about her baby girl but she was born and raised in the city, so she's speaking from experience. She had quite a lot to say about how to avoid dangers. In a nutshell, I am to:

1. act like I know where I'm going and what I'm doing at all times
2. don't ask anyone for help, unless it is a cop or a bus driver
3. if someone tries to talk to me, give them a look that let's them know "bad idea"

She repeated over and over again how New Yorkers don't let anyone get close to them because you never know if they're just trying to find a way in to kill you. Geez Mom, thanks. I think there are two different types of New York. There is the city my mom is from: 125th street area, Harlem, bums sleeping in the stairway, etc. Then there is "The City" type city: upscale, clean(ish), friendly people and safety.

I want to go to that New York. I want to enjoy my stay, soak everything in, and not fear for my life. It probably doesn't help that when I was 11 and visiting my grandmother in NYC, I saw a man get stabbed across the street.