The First 24 Hours

I’ve been in New York City over twenty four hours.

For me, that’s a first.  Growing up in New Jersey, the Big Apple was a rare day trip that began and ended with the work day.  It was the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and Broadway.  That’s it.  I was a tourist in every sense of the word.  Of course, I’m still a tourist.  Even if I manage to make this move permanent, it’s going to take a while to shake the tourist bug.

In the past twenty-four hours, however, I’ve made progress.

For instance, I purchased a Metrocard.  That’s a big deal.  It means I’ll be here for some time—and that I intend to explore as much of the city as possible.  So far, I've navigated the subway four or five times.  (Hooray!)  Granted, I had to study the map for ten minutes, but still.  Progress.

I had never taken the New York subway before.  It brought back memories of el metro in Sevilla, albeit significantly dirtier.  In fact, this entire experience--The New York University Summer Publishing Institute (SPI)--reminds me of studying abroad.  New city.  New people.  New food.

Food.  Today I ate gelato.  It was glorious.

Anyway, I'm going to try this blogging thing again as I attempt to make New York City home.