You know when it rains? What do you picture?
Are you sitting inside with a warm drink while listening to the soft pattering on the window?
How about feeling the crisp drops wash away the stress of the week?
Want to know what I picture?
I picture the sludge of water and trash infiltrating the pavements as I walk down 57th street and 2nd Avenue.
Rain in New York City is a battle of the senses. One wrong step, you’re skidding down the sidewalk.
One wrong intake of breath you’re knocked out by the smell of month old pizza having a bath.
Oh, do I love that city.
From Harlem to Wall Street, no neighborhood is really the same.
Let’s take a trip, shall we?
In the middle of Columbia University and the far east, we have Harlem, not to be confused with Spanish Harlem on our right, that’s a whole different ball game.
One’s on the east side and one is on the West, confusing right?
Harlem welcomes you in with open arms, the soft murmur of music and the shouts of street vendors, no thank you I do not want my hair braided today Auntie but I’ll let you know when I do.
In Harlem, we have the Apollo, we have the African market, we have jazz clubs, cultures, love, and food.
Harlem wraps her arms around you welcoming you home to the beats of life and the peals of laughter.
Her neighbor, however, is less forgiving. The Upper east side stands with a pole up her ass, I promise you it’s been there longer than anyone can remember. She flaunts a Chanel attitude and a Gucci smile. Oh, how we dream to be able to flit around fifth avenue twirling from Burberry to Versace, Vuitton to Tiffany’s, no wonder she’s so up herself.
Oh no no, it’s not all that bad, if you love going to get an overpriced coffee at 11 am in gym clothes only to go back home and sit in front of Netflix, it’s the place for you!
Next, we have Midtown. Oh, I’m sure you’ve heard of her, everyone has! Times Square? Grand Central Station? A lot of tall office buildings?
The smell of coffee constantly wafting through the air feeding the souls of overworked employees? Tourists love her and we hate tourists.
Oh come on, don’t give me that look! Tourists are the worst! Have you ever been late, running errands and you hit human traffic because the block is clogged up with a guided tour? Exactly.
But who can blame them? When your eyes set on those lights it’s love at first sight. New York is that ex that you will never get over.
Now we’re going downtown. I’m talking Lower East Side, West Village, Soho, Noho (yes that exists), Union Square, Alphabet city, you name it.
Downtown is where the night comes alive, where rebellion starts. It gets you buzzing in a special kind of way, it’s hypnotic, addictive, new, and free.
Nothing prepares you for that energy, she’s seen it all: Hendrix to Bob Dylan, Lennon to Cobain. You name it. No amount of words could describe the magic running through those streets.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, this is our final stop,Wall Street.
I hope you enjoyed the ride, be careful on your way out she bites. She’s got a hard ass reputation that she definitely lives up to.
Suits on suits on suits. Hard heels clicking on the pavement. All business, no pleasure. But don’t let that worry you, the best hot dog stands always end up here.
Now, do you believe me? I do really love that city.
Even when it rains, and I’m on trash duty.