I can't believe it's already been a month since the move. WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE!?
So far, I've moved from my first apartment to a new one - I'm living with 4 other girls in an amazing Bushwick apartment. I spent my 20th birthday on the Top of the Rock, I finally figured out the Subway.. sort of, and I'm stumbling across something new every single day and even though I'm super homesick, I'm already dreading the day I have to leave. But for now, I've made a little list of things I've experienced the past 3 weeks...
A few things I've experienced:
- New Yorkers and Americans in general are very into Halloween. If you're a centuar, you are a centuar - you have home made fur shoes/pants and prosthetic 3rd and 4th hind legs. If you're Batman, you are BATMAN and you also have the entire Batman posse with you - Batgirl, Robin, The Joker, Bane and even Alfred - I didn't even know you could dress up as Alfred.
- I went to Ricky's for a Halloween costume and they sell every single thing imaginable. I found a "blind person" costume. Walking stick and black shaded sunglasses for $7.99.
- New Yorkers don't understand "are you keen for a feed", "that's heavy", "that's dodgy", "you're a mol". They think saying "heaps" is funny/very Aussie.
- Most overheard subway topic: Ebola & 20 something year old single girl problems.
- It's the beginning of November and I hear Christmas carols and see Christmas lights almost everywhere - sorry what?
- If you say rubbish bin instead of trash can, or refer your metro card to your train ticket no one will know what you're on about.
- Americans think an Aussie accent is an English accent because they "sound the same". No. We do not sound the same.
- Online dating is a thing, apparently people take it seriously here.
- Recycling almost doesn't exist and trash bags pile on top of each other on the side of the road - I find this seriously bizarre.
- There is a line for almost everything.
- Public toilets kind of don't exist..
- Art galleries and exhibitions are rarely free - Never pay more than $22 for a ticket. Thursday nights are "art nights" in the Art district (Chelsea), and Moma has free Fridays every Friday. Take advantage, no one should pay for culture!
- Nearly everything has syrup or/is sweetened.
- If you're getting in trouble for something minor or borderline major you can use the excuse "I'M AUSTRALIAN! SOZ, I DIDN'T KNOW" you will probably get away with it.
- Gentrification is so fast paced that Williamsburg is the new Manhattan and Bushwick is the new Williamsburg and in about a years time, Bushwick will be so Williamsburg I probably won't even recognise the street I currently live on.
- Food trends are a thing.
- So are dogs. Everyone has a dog. They have a Halloween parade dedicated to dogs - which also proves how much New Yorkers love Halloween.
- SUNRISE MART.
- You must spend at least one drunken night in a very trashy karaoke bar. Drunk singers take Karaoke very seriously. The host will also most likely be either: a) A slightly overweight topless male. b) An African American man with arms too toned for a host job wearing a gold leotard with drag hair and make up.
- Central park is beyond beautiful.
- If you're a tourist and you're only in New York for less than 3 weeks, don't bother trying to get use to the subway lines - it took me 4 weeks & I still occasionally get confused to what is Uptown and what is Downtown - because everything that's uptown can also be downtown, and everything downtown can also be uptown.
- Conversing with a complete stranger on the street, subway, cafe and pretty much anywhere is normal/acceptable.
- So is going for a drink (right this minute, right this second). New Yorkers are extremely open and friendly.
- Almost everything fun and outdoorsy closes October 26, because, Winter.
- If you don't have Google maps, good luck with trying to find your way around anywhere.
- Exploring the city on a tourist bus is ok and also a great way to learn historical & cultural facts. It also helps geographically.
- People still use the phrase B&T aka, Bridge and Tunnel, aka anyone from New Jersey. Terrible, I know.
- If you're Australian and you're at a party, people will circle you and stare at you with their mouths open. Prepared to be bombarded with all sorts of questions; eg. Do you surf? Do you see Kangaroos everyday? You're accent is SO cool, do I have an accent? Did it take 24 hours to get here? I love your accent, can you keep talking? Why aren't you tanned? Is it Summer all year round?
- If you're friend introduces you to their friend and mentions you're Australian, they will also stare at you with their mouths open. Apparently being Aussie is cool here.
- Majority of the people I've met are insanely creative and or intellectual.
- I've yet to have met a New Yorker who is actually born and raised in New York.
- Nothing is ever ordinary or boring. The synergy between the diversity of creatives/intellects that constantly curate/refresh, and the iconic history that shapes NYC creates a vibe that will always drive and inspire you. However, this city will exhaust you.
ps. I might make a list every week - if you can bear.