Day seven was spent at the Top of the Rock, Rockefeller centre. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to grab a hotdog with my girl Tina Fey, but maybe next time. It was incredibly overwhelming seeing New York from up there, it made everything seem huge and tiny at the same time. There’s no official frozen treat eating to report for today but I did drink several litres of a variety of different diet iced teas. I’m really going to miss diet iced tea back in Oz. We finished the day at Ichiumi, a Japanese style buffet restaurant with crab, lobster, oysters, sushi, sashimi and green tea ice cream. Flip yes.
I think it’s time to admit to myself that this trip is a warm up for when I move here in the next few years. I’ve always had NY in my head as a place that I would live one day, and being here now has cemented that. Shhhh! Don’t tell my mother. So for Day Seven, I’ve compiled a list of Things I Need to Learn Before I Move to New York.
To Not Scream Every Time I see a Rat
Every single time. Three so far to be exact. So not New York.
To Speak Really Loudly on my Phone in Public
And use a bluetooth headset so I look very busy and important.
To Eat Just Enough Food So That I Don’t Die but still Maintain That ‘Never Went Through Puberty’ Look
Women in New York are tiny. Like little 9 year girl thighs kind of tiny. They also seem to always be either coming from or going to a workout. They are also immaculately groomed. Perfect hair, perfect nails, neat little designer bags and some kind of ridiculous looking miniature dog. I’m really going to have to work on being less gross if I want to fit in here.
To Answer to ‘Carrie’
I’ve spent my whole life in Australia saying ‘Car-ly not Ky-lie’, but most of the time I’ll answer to both. Here, when I introduce myself the American will reply ‘Hey Carrie!’. I don’t mind though because, as a writer hoping to move to New York, it’s a rather poetic mistake.
To Form an Opinion
Whenever I buy something, there’s the inevitable ‘Cash or charge?’ question. I usually reply with ‘Whatever’s easiest.‘ I then get a raised eyebrow followed by a firm repeat of ‘Cash or charge?‘. I’m far too used to having to run down the street to the ATM in Melbourne, for those pesky cash only cafes, so I’m utterly gobsmacked when I get given a choice in New York. Just FYI the service people here actually don’t care. Just tell them what you want so they can serve the next person.
That Americans are Actually Being Sincere
Americans have this boundless enthusiasm that makes me feel like they’re taking the piss. They’ll be all ‘O.M.G. You’re from AUSTRALIA??? That is SO AWE-some!‘. I immediately get defensive, thinking that they’re being sarcastic but nope. It’s just genuine interest and enthusiasm. Sincerity is not something we Aussies deal very well with.
If you’ve missed any of my previous New York posts here they are. Day One and Two, Day Three and Four, Day Five and Day Six.
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