When an English person says "Are you all right?" I usually say, somewhat surprised, "Yes! I am." And then wonder what made them ask in the first place. Did I look not all right?
Well, after three weeks I finally figured out that is how they say "how are you." At least, it must be, as they all say it to me all the time. Either that or I must have a terribly worried or concerned look to me.
My question. When they say "Ah you ull rat?" Should I say it back? "Yes. Are you?" Or just leave it at "Yes, I'm all right."
I'm currently watching two guys outside the Starbucks window try to sell something to people walking by. It's interesting to see this from their perspective, and to watch the oncoming people with that look that says "Oh god please just leave me alone." One guy has managed to talk to about three people in about a half hour, whcih is actually pretty good all things considered.
They have some delicious dinners here with like cheap french toast and things that doesn't taste cheap. I'm sure it's unhealthy though.
I bought a mattress and bed frame. So I need to buy sheets, pillows and a blanket today. And eventually the actually bed headboard and furnature, etc.
This is by far the friendliest hostel I've ever seen. Last night about thirty of us went out to a bar around the corner. This time Dutch guys took on the English in another Beer Pong tournament.
I guess kangaroos can be dangerous, but koalas are mostly scared of people. I also get the impression that many people from other countries don't have the American high school cliques based on which brand of shoe you wear, etc. The Australians were surprised that sororities and fraternities actually exist. They thought they were only in the movies.
There was a paratrooper guy from Liverpool. And another London one who is a journalist. It seems just about everyone here is from London. There is a new girl in the room who is also from London. I'm jealous of the exchange rate though, as everything is essentially half price for them.
A girl in my room was in the drug store on the corner and I happened to walk by as she was asking for shower gel. And the hispanic woman was like "gel? gel?" And she's like "No, shower get. Shower. Gel." And the woman repeated it about ten times "Gel?" "No. Shower. Gel." "Gel?" "No." "Shower gel. Body wash." And eventually she figured it out. "Oh! Gel! I thought you said Gel," said the woman in the store. But it wasn't like her accent was in the way here at all.
This happens a lot. In a pizza place you say "pepperoni" and they look at you blankly. You say it again. They look at you like they've never seen a pizza. Then, after some time, they figure it out and say "yes! I know! peperoni!" as if they're extremely annoyed you keep saying it.
Happens at Subway too...as in:
"I'll have tomatoes and lettuce please."
"What will you take?"
"Tomatoes and lettuce."
"Tomatoe..." blank look.
"And lettuce."
"Olive?"
"No, lettuce. This one that I'm pointing to. the green stuff."
(almost grabs peppers, and eventually throws on a few shreds of lettuce)
It's really interesting how when one European makes a joke or something that sounds incredibly strange to me, the rest know exactly what they mean. They use vocabulary words I used in school, that I didn't know anyone used "gentlemenly." If that is even a word?
NOTE: I asked a girl from London and she said when someone asks "You all right?" You say "Yeah. You?" So that is cleared up!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
meeting strangers from around the world in my PJs -- it's normal now
I've been living in hostels for almost three weeks now. It's gotten normal to meet strangers from around the world in my pjs.
Now for some fun facts!
These things are mostly-likely true, as I heard them last night from honest sounding Ozzies (Aussies, but they pronounce it like that) when we left the hostel and went out on the town.
1. Southern Australia lacks water. So they are only allowed three-minute showers. They are not allowed to wash their cars, though there are some special car washes that recycle the water. All of the toilets are low-flow. If they use too much water, they are fined.
2. Northern Australia has plenty of water. And crocodiles. Beware of hanging out by lakes at night. Platapus are also poisonous, I hear.
3. Australians are required to vote. If they don't, they pay a fine!
4. Australians and most Europeans I've met spend most of their time talking about: politics, the exchange rate, World Cup Soccer and Rugby.
5. People from all over the world really like Beer Pong. They take it very seriously.
6. I know absolutely nothing about world politics. An Australian girl said that's because what America does influences the rest of the world, but it doesn't work in reverse. Still, I felt silly as they all could name our last five presidents and had opinions on Bush vs. Clinton, etc.
Last night a bunch of us from the hostel went out. The English guy was talking about Quid and the pound. And I was confused. It turns out they're the same thing. "You know, like the dollar is a book," he said. "What? A book?" I said. "Yes, like a book is a dollar." This went on for a while. "Oh, you mean a buck!" an Australian-born English guy said. The Englishman's accent sounded like "book." The Englishman was a bit embarassed, but it was funny.
I wasn't aware people in England voted. But there is Labor and something else. Tories? Is that right? I guess they must vote for the prime minister, right? Because there is Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth to do the rest. Oh, I should have paid attention in school.
In England, they don't have meatloaf. One of the English guys in the room said he tried it at the Macy's and found it disgusting. Personally, I've always liked meat loaf. They also don't have Butterfinger or any of the Reeces candy in Europe. They get very excited about Reeces.
Some guy who must be new to the room is quite, quite smelly. I walked in for a second and somehow his scent had expanded to fill the entire room. So I quickly left. I've spent far too much time at the Starbucks.
Both Australians and people from England say "dodgy." They say if often. When I had to get my room key card fixed because it stopped working they looked at my strangely and called me "dodgy."
I've been telling all of the Europeans about Life Coaching and most have heard of it. I guess it's popular in London.
I bought a matress and box spring today and I will have it delivered on Friday to the apartment. I can't wait to leave the hostel.
I move in Saturday and also have the Sex and The City tour that day at 3pm. So I will have to have my stuff in there before that. Maybe I'll bring it over Saturday morning after I check out and then go to the tour.
Now for some fun facts!
These things are mostly-likely true, as I heard them last night from honest sounding Ozzies (Aussies, but they pronounce it like that) when we left the hostel and went out on the town.
1. Southern Australia lacks water. So they are only allowed three-minute showers. They are not allowed to wash their cars, though there are some special car washes that recycle the water. All of the toilets are low-flow. If they use too much water, they are fined.
2. Northern Australia has plenty of water. And crocodiles. Beware of hanging out by lakes at night. Platapus are also poisonous, I hear.
3. Australians are required to vote. If they don't, they pay a fine!
4. Australians and most Europeans I've met spend most of their time talking about: politics, the exchange rate, World Cup Soccer and Rugby.
5. People from all over the world really like Beer Pong. They take it very seriously.
6. I know absolutely nothing about world politics. An Australian girl said that's because what America does influences the rest of the world, but it doesn't work in reverse. Still, I felt silly as they all could name our last five presidents and had opinions on Bush vs. Clinton, etc.
Last night a bunch of us from the hostel went out. The English guy was talking about Quid and the pound. And I was confused. It turns out they're the same thing. "You know, like the dollar is a book," he said. "What? A book?" I said. "Yes, like a book is a dollar." This went on for a while. "Oh, you mean a buck!" an Australian-born English guy said. The Englishman's accent sounded like "book." The Englishman was a bit embarassed, but it was funny.
I wasn't aware people in England voted. But there is Labor and something else. Tories? Is that right? I guess they must vote for the prime minister, right? Because there is Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth to do the rest. Oh, I should have paid attention in school.
In England, they don't have meatloaf. One of the English guys in the room said he tried it at the Macy's and found it disgusting. Personally, I've always liked meat loaf. They also don't have Butterfinger or any of the Reeces candy in Europe. They get very excited about Reeces.
Some guy who must be new to the room is quite, quite smelly. I walked in for a second and somehow his scent had expanded to fill the entire room. So I quickly left. I've spent far too much time at the Starbucks.
Both Australians and people from England say "dodgy." They say if often. When I had to get my room key card fixed because it stopped working they looked at my strangely and called me "dodgy."
I've been telling all of the Europeans about Life Coaching and most have heard of it. I guess it's popular in London.
I bought a matress and box spring today and I will have it delivered on Friday to the apartment. I can't wait to leave the hostel.
I move in Saturday and also have the Sex and The City tour that day at 3pm. So I will have to have my stuff in there before that. Maybe I'll bring it over Saturday morning after I check out and then go to the tour.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Friendly Australians
So I just moved to the new hostel last night. This one has ten beds per room, but has cute velvetly red bedspreads, green walls and red curtains. They only have ONE bathroom for 10 people though! Luckily the room wasn't full yesterday.
There were a few Australians in the room who were very friendly and I ended up going out with them. Two of them were from Australia originally and now live in London. I couldn't understand them very well at first. But I learned:
Ozzie = Aussie
Dodgy = sketchy/unsafe
I feel rough = I feel hung over
cue = a line (like standing in line)
And there were many more I have forgotten...
There were a few Australians in the room who were very friendly and I ended up going out with them. Two of them were from Australia originally and now live in London. I couldn't understand them very well at first. But I learned:
Ozzie = Aussie
Dodgy = sketchy/unsafe
I feel rough = I feel hung over
cue = a line (like standing in line)
And there were many more I have forgotten...
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Subway, shoes and bed bugs
Random stuff
Yesterday three guys on the subway brought a boom box and did back flips down the isle. They swung around the metal poles. Two of them held onto eachother's ankles and rolled down the isle like a wheel. It was amazing. They hung off of the metal thing you hold onto at the top of the train. They were like street gymnasts! I wish I had thought to get out my camera!
Tonight is my last night in this hostel. Tomorrow I'm moving to another hostel down the street for my final five days. I feel like I'm transferring jails. Then, this weekend, I can finally move into my apartment!
In this room in the last week were: women from Paris, Sweden and Australia. And guys from China, England, and now one from Egypt and San Francisco.
Tonight the Egyptian told me about his relationship problems.
The guy from San Fran is very friendly and has really good taste in sneakers. At first I was a bit uncomfortable with him having HIV. I've never lived in the same room with someone with HIV, shared the same sink, etc. I know in my head you can't catch it like that, but I honestly had to get to know him a bit better before it didn't bother me. He counsels told me about an underground zine he used to read about how to dress up your legions and other silly stuff. But he's so positive and friendly. I think that's great.
Apparently, two guys slept on a top bunk above him last night. Not in a sexual way though, is what everyone said, as they slept head to toe. but probably someone just needed a place to crash. These are tiny little beds though.
The British guys had never had Reeses Peanut Butter cups. I guess they don't have that candy in most of the rest of the world. So they bought bags of them, and Oreos, to take home to friends. How cute! Can you imagine all those boxes of Oreos in customs?
There are so many tennis shoes here. I'm completely overwhelmed. I have no idea what kind of tennis shoes to get. In NYC, your shoes are like your car. And they have some Adidas with Goodyear written on the side of the sole. I think made of tire material. Because your feet are like wheels, I guess.
Today in midtown counterfit hand bag salesmen threw open big tarps full of fake Coach bags. Right there on the street. And then they'd hide them away really quickly when cops would walk by, and about ten of them would non-chalantly stand next to these six or seven huuuge plastic bags like "do-do do...don't mind me officer, I'm just standing here with lots of huge bags that's all..."
I think they have bed bugs here. I noticed a couple little bug bites. But at least I haven't seen any rats. I've only heard stories of them eating parts of chocolate bars and what not. To be safe, I stored the chocolate my aunt sent for Thanksgiving in my locker on the 4th floor. Today I had to get it all out to pack. So I ate all of it, except for the little chocolate Turkey, which I offered to the five roomates and the English guy ate it. Said he felt accepted by the whole Thanksgiving thing or something like that. :) I'm lost with most of the English slang, but I guess a "cue" means a line. And of course, New Yorkers say "on line" instead of "in line," which I still haven't gotten used to.
I showed my Thanksgiving cards to the Swedish and Australian girls when they were here and they had fun looking at them and asked what the deal with Turkeys and pumpkins was.
I'm strangely used to the hostel now. It's made me friendlier. People are surprisingly similar wherever they're from in the world and whatever their background is. When you're all crammed in the same room, you see how you all do the same stuff. And nothing else really matters. Politics, who cares. We all eat cookies from the vending machine and drink the same water from the corner store downstairs. We all have strange accents, depending on what perspective you're listening from. And as many people from around the world have informed me, I do in fact have an accent.
Yesterday three guys on the subway brought a boom box and did back flips down the isle. They swung around the metal poles. Two of them held onto eachother's ankles and rolled down the isle like a wheel. It was amazing. They hung off of the metal thing you hold onto at the top of the train. They were like street gymnasts! I wish I had thought to get out my camera!
Tonight is my last night in this hostel. Tomorrow I'm moving to another hostel down the street for my final five days. I feel like I'm transferring jails. Then, this weekend, I can finally move into my apartment!
In this room in the last week were: women from Paris, Sweden and Australia. And guys from China, England, and now one from Egypt and San Francisco.
Tonight the Egyptian told me about his relationship problems.
The guy from San Fran is very friendly and has really good taste in sneakers. At first I was a bit uncomfortable with him having HIV. I've never lived in the same room with someone with HIV, shared the same sink, etc. I know in my head you can't catch it like that, but I honestly had to get to know him a bit better before it didn't bother me. He counsels told me about an underground zine he used to read about how to dress up your legions and other silly stuff. But he's so positive and friendly. I think that's great.
Apparently, two guys slept on a top bunk above him last night. Not in a sexual way though, is what everyone said, as they slept head to toe. but probably someone just needed a place to crash. These are tiny little beds though.
The British guys had never had Reeses Peanut Butter cups. I guess they don't have that candy in most of the rest of the world. So they bought bags of them, and Oreos, to take home to friends. How cute! Can you imagine all those boxes of Oreos in customs?
There are so many tennis shoes here. I'm completely overwhelmed. I have no idea what kind of tennis shoes to get. In NYC, your shoes are like your car. And they have some Adidas with Goodyear written on the side of the sole. I think made of tire material. Because your feet are like wheels, I guess.
Today in midtown counterfit hand bag salesmen threw open big tarps full of fake Coach bags. Right there on the street. And then they'd hide them away really quickly when cops would walk by, and about ten of them would non-chalantly stand next to these six or seven huuuge plastic bags like "do-do do...don't mind me officer, I'm just standing here with lots of huge bags that's all..."
I think they have bed bugs here. I noticed a couple little bug bites. But at least I haven't seen any rats. I've only heard stories of them eating parts of chocolate bars and what not. To be safe, I stored the chocolate my aunt sent for Thanksgiving in my locker on the 4th floor. Today I had to get it all out to pack. So I ate all of it, except for the little chocolate Turkey, which I offered to the five roomates and the English guy ate it. Said he felt accepted by the whole Thanksgiving thing or something like that. :) I'm lost with most of the English slang, but I guess a "cue" means a line. And of course, New Yorkers say "on line" instead of "in line," which I still haven't gotten used to.
I showed my Thanksgiving cards to the Swedish and Australian girls when they were here and they had fun looking at them and asked what the deal with Turkeys and pumpkins was.
I'm strangely used to the hostel now. It's made me friendlier. People are surprisingly similar wherever they're from in the world and whatever their background is. When you're all crammed in the same room, you see how you all do the same stuff. And nothing else really matters. Politics, who cares. We all eat cookies from the vending machine and drink the same water from the corner store downstairs. We all have strange accents, depending on what perspective you're listening from. And as many people from around the world have informed me, I do in fact have an accent.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
I am mean...
So remember the creepy guy who I was afraid might kill me in the night or whatever? Well it turns out he's really nice. He is trying to move here from Italy to provide a better life for his two little boys. He's from a tiny town and is trying to find any job he can. He took out two little novely licence plates with the boys' names written on them. Then it made sense. The suits he'd hung up on the side of the bunk bed and the nice shoes. I guess he's going on interviews and trying to get a green card. Poor guy. And I thought he was going to kill me. How mean of me.
I also did my laundry at an upper west side laundromat today. Quite the experience. I've never been in such a humid warm room crammed with people speaking in foreign languages and pushing metal carts into eachother while telling one another to "move." Not the most helpful staff...but I eventually figured out how to get change and where to put the soap.
Some French guy asked me about bleach. He was pretty cute.
Then I tried to find a bathroom. Most places don't have them here. I finally found one of those pizza/baked goods places (they have these everywhere) and they said they had a bathroom. But the only full-size door had no knob. Just a lock and no way to open it. I eventually reached up and pried it open. Behind the door was a pile of trash bags and behind that, another door to the restrooms. Nice. I like the nicer parts of town where there aren't babies screaming and where they actually say "hello" when you buy something instead of starring at you blankly.
I've read that women who walk quickly with long strides, who don't pick up their feet much and are larger tend to be attacked less. So I'm making an effort to not pick up my feet very much, but then sometimes I almost fall over, haha.
So then I went and ate at this cafe place and this girl at the next table starts talking to me. She's around my age and is telling me how this neighborhood used to be very unsafe, but now it's fine. Then she says she got hit on the head and knocked out in Spanish Harlem and they took her bag. And her apartment was broken into and she was robbed.
"What did they take?" I said. "Did they steal everything?"
"They didn't take my things. They took my ideas," she said.
"Your ideas?"
"Yeah, I had fashion sketches and movie plots and all sort of ideas lying around," she said seriously. "And then I started noticing my ideas all over town. They stole them!"
"Wow, that's too bad," I said.
Then I went back to the room and met a girl from Australia. She was very nice and was doing her year of travelling before starting school.
I'm going to the parade tomorrow, veeery early. so I'd better get to sleep.
I also did my laundry at an upper west side laundromat today. Quite the experience. I've never been in such a humid warm room crammed with people speaking in foreign languages and pushing metal carts into eachother while telling one another to "move." Not the most helpful staff...but I eventually figured out how to get change and where to put the soap.
Some French guy asked me about bleach. He was pretty cute.
Then I tried to find a bathroom. Most places don't have them here. I finally found one of those pizza/baked goods places (they have these everywhere) and they said they had a bathroom. But the only full-size door had no knob. Just a lock and no way to open it. I eventually reached up and pried it open. Behind the door was a pile of trash bags and behind that, another door to the restrooms. Nice. I like the nicer parts of town where there aren't babies screaming and where they actually say "hello" when you buy something instead of starring at you blankly.
I've read that women who walk quickly with long strides, who don't pick up their feet much and are larger tend to be attacked less. So I'm making an effort to not pick up my feet very much, but then sometimes I almost fall over, haha.
So then I went and ate at this cafe place and this girl at the next table starts talking to me. She's around my age and is telling me how this neighborhood used to be very unsafe, but now it's fine. Then she says she got hit on the head and knocked out in Spanish Harlem and they took her bag. And her apartment was broken into and she was robbed.
"What did they take?" I said. "Did they steal everything?"
"They didn't take my things. They took my ideas," she said.
"Your ideas?"
"Yeah, I had fashion sketches and movie plots and all sort of ideas lying around," she said seriously. "And then I started noticing my ideas all over town. They stole them!"
"Wow, that's too bad," I said.
Then I went back to the room and met a girl from Australia. She was very nice and was doing her year of travelling before starting school.
I'm going to the parade tomorrow, veeery early. so I'd better get to sleep.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Luckily...
Luckily this morning the creepy guy woke up and said hello and he was actually fairly normal. A huge relief! I think he's just been acting strange because he's in his 40's and in this hostel with kids in their 20's. Also, he's Italian, not Spanish like I'd thought. So I was wrong about two things. I am no longer fearing for my life.
He said I had an English accent. I said I didn't. He said I did. hmm...
There are so many accents here, I worry I'm going to forget how to talk! But I'm pretty sure I still sound the same.
Two more English guys are here.
I went to Columbus Circle today and they had these huge big glowing stars up on the side of the building so when you take the escalator up you can look across the side and see the backdrop of the city lights against the clear glass side of the building and these huge blue stars. I loved it.
They're playing Christmas music. The other day I was walking along 34th Street and thought that is perfect for the Christmas season.
So the guy at Espirit helped me pick out a snow coat since I had no clue what to get. He was very friendly and remembers my name when I walk by the store. I ended up getting a white one, which may get dirty fast but it's so cute! And it has a furry colar.
I saw no crime today. Yeah! So that's a good thing. The French woman went back to Paris. And this nice girl from Massachusetts went back home. Some, what I think are Swedish kids in the elevator asked me for a corkscrew, but I didn't have one on me. Everyone drinks here constantly.
So now everyone in the room is friendly and normal. Thank god. The English guys just showed us the Quid money. Interesting. He said the American money looks like play money. I guess the exchange rate is 2 to 1. At least they're friendly.
More to come...
He said I had an English accent. I said I didn't. He said I did. hmm...
There are so many accents here, I worry I'm going to forget how to talk! But I'm pretty sure I still sound the same.
Two more English guys are here.
I went to Columbus Circle today and they had these huge big glowing stars up on the side of the building so when you take the escalator up you can look across the side and see the backdrop of the city lights against the clear glass side of the building and these huge blue stars. I loved it.
They're playing Christmas music. The other day I was walking along 34th Street and thought that is perfect for the Christmas season.
So the guy at Espirit helped me pick out a snow coat since I had no clue what to get. He was very friendly and remembers my name when I walk by the store. I ended up getting a white one, which may get dirty fast but it's so cute! And it has a furry colar.
I saw no crime today. Yeah! So that's a good thing. The French woman went back to Paris. And this nice girl from Massachusetts went back home. Some, what I think are Swedish kids in the elevator asked me for a corkscrew, but I didn't have one on me. Everyone drinks here constantly.
So now everyone in the room is friendly and normal. Thank god. The English guys just showed us the Quid money. Interesting. He said the American money looks like play money. I guess the exchange rate is 2 to 1. At least they're friendly.
More to come...
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Creepy like Halloween
Yesterday I switched to a 6 room hostel room. While I was happy to leave the seven college-aged guys and their constant underwear-showing behind, it was uncertain who would be in the new room.
First I met this 40-something very refined woman from Paris. Very sweet, normal woman. Friendly. So far so good!
Then I leave and come back to find the door open (a no-no for hostels) and this very young girl. She says she's Swedish and "kinda" on vacation. Turns out she's crashing in some guy friend's room. Then some black guy who I think is also Swedish come in and they giggle and then he leaves. I'm getting the impression she's either in high school or early college.
Then a girl closer to my age who seems normal comes in.
"Have you seen the creepy guy yet?" she asks.
"No," I say.
"He's old and creepy and he's staying in here," she said. "I was alone in the room with him last night and I got that vibe, like he was going to kill me or something -- but of course I'm sure it was fine."
"Great," I say. I then remember the sketchy guy on the payphone in the stairwell with the graying comb over, the big black nylon jacket, ugly shoes, darting eyes.
I try my best to sleep, knowing this guy will be walking in any minute. I hear the strangest beeping sound. It's not a constant beep like an alarm, it's like a ping-pong ball, uneven sound. beep beep...silence...beep beep beep. It's the creepiest sound I've ever heard. It's like that suspense building music in a horror movie. And they've been playing a horror movie marathon in the lobby all day.
Then the door creeks open slowly and against the lights of the window I see a sillouhette of this guy. He walks unevenly, darts quickly across the room, crouches down, then slowly surveys the room. He looks at every bed. He rushes over to the sink, rummages through his bags. I watch his every movement.
He then begins an elaborate process of collecting sheets from the un-occupied beds and doing something, I'm not sure what, on his bed. Is he making a tent? He's tucking sheets into the sides of the bed so they hang down on the lower bunk, but he's on the top bunk.
I cover my face with the blanket, in the hopes that he thinks I'm a small man.
Then I hear sirens. Red light fills the room. The man rushes to the window. The beeping sound grows louder outside. I grab my key and cell phone. I have to leave. I can't stand it anymore. My intution is screaming and I can't ignore it.
I open the door and outside there's a guy looking confused down the hall, sniffing the air and looking up at the ceiling. Is it the fire alarm? An old school one making that strange sound?
"What's that noise?" I say and walk over.
"I think it's the fire alarm," he says in broken english. Probably from South America. There's a short confused-looking girl close by, also standing at her door and sniffing the air.
I go downstairs. Some college-aged Tucson-fourth-avenish-ish guy is racing down the stairs with a beer in a paper bag in his hand. He seems to think it's a fire.
I get to the lobby and there are about thirty hostel kids drinking standing around, while fifteen decked-out firefighters (complete with axes) are standing there. All of the firefighters are like 6'4" and the biggest guys I have ever seen. They look disspaointed and bored.
"Is there a fire?" I ask.
"No, someone pulled the alarm," says the firefighter with a heavy NY accent, who is young and looks annoyed, like all dressed up and no fire to fight. The firefighters yell at the guy behind the desk for a while, but there's no manager around. The building is not up to fire code.
It's freezing in the lobby, so I go to the TV area. They're playing more horror movies. Blood gushing everywhere. Firefighters are warndering around with axes in hand. Should I go back to the room?
I contemplate sleeping in the TV area, but with the hard chairs there is no way. I go back to the room. I figure, the creepy man must be groggy by now, so he'll be less of a threat.
He continues the sheet routine for a while, coughs a hacking cough, and eventually snores.
In the morning, the maid turns on the light. The creepy man continues his strange sheet behavior. Then he asks the maid in spanish how much the sheets cost.
These are thin, white prison-ish sheets.
He asks about purchasing the blankets. She tells him in English to ask the front desk. I'm so happy to be able to take a shower and then leave for the day.
There is a drug store bag across the room. Did someone take my bag? I go and look in it, but it's not mine. It's full of two boxes of Fruit Loops cereal. I think it's on the weird guy's pile of stuff. How long is he staying here if he bought two boxes?
hmm...perhaps I should look into temporary apartments. As fun as this is and all...
Some Australian guy just asked if I had Arr Tins on my computer. I was wondering if that was some sort of Linux or new program? I asked three times and then said I wasn't sure what Arr Tins was. He said it was a music program. "Oh, kind of like I-tunes?" I said. "Yes, that's what I said. Arr Tinss." hahah! He apologized for the accent.
First I met this 40-something very refined woman from Paris. Very sweet, normal woman. Friendly. So far so good!
Then I leave and come back to find the door open (a no-no for hostels) and this very young girl. She says she's Swedish and "kinda" on vacation. Turns out she's crashing in some guy friend's room. Then some black guy who I think is also Swedish come in and they giggle and then he leaves. I'm getting the impression she's either in high school or early college.
Then a girl closer to my age who seems normal comes in.
"Have you seen the creepy guy yet?" she asks.
"No," I say.
"He's old and creepy and he's staying in here," she said. "I was alone in the room with him last night and I got that vibe, like he was going to kill me or something -- but of course I'm sure it was fine."
"Great," I say. I then remember the sketchy guy on the payphone in the stairwell with the graying comb over, the big black nylon jacket, ugly shoes, darting eyes.
I try my best to sleep, knowing this guy will be walking in any minute. I hear the strangest beeping sound. It's not a constant beep like an alarm, it's like a ping-pong ball, uneven sound. beep beep...silence...beep beep beep. It's the creepiest sound I've ever heard. It's like that suspense building music in a horror movie. And they've been playing a horror movie marathon in the lobby all day.
Then the door creeks open slowly and against the lights of the window I see a sillouhette of this guy. He walks unevenly, darts quickly across the room, crouches down, then slowly surveys the room. He looks at every bed. He rushes over to the sink, rummages through his bags. I watch his every movement.
He then begins an elaborate process of collecting sheets from the un-occupied beds and doing something, I'm not sure what, on his bed. Is he making a tent? He's tucking sheets into the sides of the bed so they hang down on the lower bunk, but he's on the top bunk.
I cover my face with the blanket, in the hopes that he thinks I'm a small man.
Then I hear sirens. Red light fills the room. The man rushes to the window. The beeping sound grows louder outside. I grab my key and cell phone. I have to leave. I can't stand it anymore. My intution is screaming and I can't ignore it.
I open the door and outside there's a guy looking confused down the hall, sniffing the air and looking up at the ceiling. Is it the fire alarm? An old school one making that strange sound?
"What's that noise?" I say and walk over.
"I think it's the fire alarm," he says in broken english. Probably from South America. There's a short confused-looking girl close by, also standing at her door and sniffing the air.
I go downstairs. Some college-aged Tucson-fourth-avenish-ish guy is racing down the stairs with a beer in a paper bag in his hand. He seems to think it's a fire.
I get to the lobby and there are about thirty hostel kids drinking standing around, while fifteen decked-out firefighters (complete with axes) are standing there. All of the firefighters are like 6'4" and the biggest guys I have ever seen. They look disspaointed and bored.
"Is there a fire?" I ask.
"No, someone pulled the alarm," says the firefighter with a heavy NY accent, who is young and looks annoyed, like all dressed up and no fire to fight. The firefighters yell at the guy behind the desk for a while, but there's no manager around. The building is not up to fire code.
It's freezing in the lobby, so I go to the TV area. They're playing more horror movies. Blood gushing everywhere. Firefighters are warndering around with axes in hand. Should I go back to the room?
I contemplate sleeping in the TV area, but with the hard chairs there is no way. I go back to the room. I figure, the creepy man must be groggy by now, so he'll be less of a threat.
He continues the sheet routine for a while, coughs a hacking cough, and eventually snores.
In the morning, the maid turns on the light. The creepy man continues his strange sheet behavior. Then he asks the maid in spanish how much the sheets cost.
These are thin, white prison-ish sheets.
He asks about purchasing the blankets. She tells him in English to ask the front desk. I'm so happy to be able to take a shower and then leave for the day.
There is a drug store bag across the room. Did someone take my bag? I go and look in it, but it's not mine. It's full of two boxes of Fruit Loops cereal. I think it's on the weird guy's pile of stuff. How long is he staying here if he bought two boxes?
hmm...perhaps I should look into temporary apartments. As fun as this is and all...
Some Australian guy just asked if I had Arr Tins on my computer. I was wondering if that was some sort of Linux or new program? I asked three times and then said I wasn't sure what Arr Tins was. He said it was a music program. "Oh, kind of like I-tunes?" I said. "Yes, that's what I said. Arr Tinss." hahah! He apologized for the accent.
Crime
So today I was walking back from the Subway after 9pm. I was almost back at the hostel and looking for a drug store to buy some water. Two or three guys are yelling down the street. I figure they're just drunk.
Then they start sprinting forward pushing eachother and yelling. I figured they must be about to fight, so I took a few big steps back to get out of their way, and then turned and ran a bit just in case they had guns.
Just then I hear "Come 'mere mother fucker!" and there is a cop...actually like six or seven cops sprinting towards the guys. A bunch of cop cars and a cop van have swerved to the side of the road.
I'm about fifteen feet away, trying to get farther away at this point and the guys are still running in my direction right when the cops jump on them.
I tried to cross the street but it was red and there were cars coming. Finally I got across the street. Then I took a picture. A little different than most tourist attractions. This is within a block of my hostel. Greeeaaatt....
I tried to cross the street but it was red and there were cars coming. Finally I got across the street. Then I took a picture. A little different than most tourist attractions. This is within a block of my hostel. Greeeaaatt....
Saturday, November 17, 2007
It’s all worth it
So yesterday, I had just about had it.
It was the fifth day in the hostel. The white walls and eight bunks stuck into a tiny room was getting to me. No tables, chairs, hooks, or places to put things. Just a floor and a bed. The constant locking and unlocking of the door as people from around the world would stumble in drunk or jet-lagged. The constant zipping and unzipping of suitcases and male pants. Lugging my laptop and anything of value up to the forth floor to lock it up.
It was the fifth day in the hostel. The white walls and eight bunks stuck into a tiny room was getting to me. No tables, chairs, hooks, or places to put things. Just a floor and a bed. The constant locking and unlocking of the door as people from around the world would stumble in drunk or jet-lagged. The constant zipping and unzipping of suitcases and male pants. Lugging my laptop and anything of value up to the forth floor to lock it up.
What started as roughly half-guys/half-girls had evolved into me being the ONLY girl in the hostel room. Every time I walked in to get something from my suitcase, three or four pairs of pants would drop. I would try to look away, but there were european underwear in all directions. I don't know if I mentioned Mr. Orange Underwear in the previous blog, but he is quite comfortable that way and spent a majority of his evening sans pants.
On top of the fact that the guys were perpetually chaning, three of them (it sounds like they've spoken French and German, so I'm not sure where they're from) are incredibly un-friendly. I mean, I've seen ALL of them in their underwear, yet they don't even say "hi" in the common areas.
And when I nicely requested that the guys let me know when they were about to change so I coudl leave, or at least hide under the blanket, one of the South African guys gave a mocking laugh and said in that British-type accent "I wasn't changing" and almost rolled his eyes. Arrogant bastards.
Today I changed rooms to a six-person room (not an eight-person). I walked in and thought, "Wow! This is spacious! Look at all this room."
Anyway, so I had just about had it. With no privacy anywhere (even taking a long shower meant someone would likely knock on the door, or anxious cleaning staff pacing outside), plus the constant fear of my things being stolen, added to the constant calculation of how much of a threat the various travellers sleeping close by really were (if any), plus the foreign accents, being asked for change (even while sitting in a Subway restaurant -- they came in off the street to find me to ask!) and the general prision-ish feel of sleeping on metal bunks with white sheets in a white room with a bunch of snoring and sleep-grunting guys -- I had had it.
So I went to Central Park and wandered around Strawberry Fields. Got lost. And wow. Check out the slideshow. It was the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen. And I then realized it was totally worth is. It was freezing cold, but so worth it.
So then I went out to this AMAZING bar my friend heard of in Union Square. They had a coat check. I was finally FREE of my possessions! It had the best ambiance and reminded me of all the things I like about Scottsdale without all the things I disliked about it.
I walked in feeling like a bag woman, with bags under my eyes from four hours sleep a night all week, and carrying so many things, but I soaked up the ambiance and the mostly American accents, and the extremely classy decorations in the plush hotel lobby and suddenly felt so much better. I no longer felt like a scared, cold homeless bag woman.
So then we ended up getting these awesome seats just as Nina was saying "hmm, there is a reserved sign here" and a guy who worked there heard her say that and took the sign away and gestured for us to sit down. So we get these cozy leather-ish seats with futon things next to each chair. With a cute guy on each futon thing. Location, location, location. Then the bar got really crowded and we were really glad to have the seats. When the first guys left, another set soon came over to talk to us. I love NY.
Dan from London just sat down. He was in my room for two days and was one of the friendly ones. He is now going back to London after a year of travelling. He got a world ticket, he said. But now it's back to cold, grey london -- the worst time of year to go home, he said. He doesn't know I'm typing about him right now. Is that wrong? Okay, back to the blog...
It was our first night out in the city since we've both moved here and it was a BLAST. After talking to several cute guys, we got cabs back. The cab driver this time actually wasn't trying to rip me off, which was great. With the city whizzing by as the car speeding along, cutting in and out of traffic and the bright buildings, it all made sense.
I'm so excited to be here!
Also, thanks for all of the support. I really appreciate all your calls and emails and keeping in touch! I have limited cell phone power at times (especially since outlets go fast here), but I will try to call back soon!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Rainy Day
Wow, this was the first day where I got to really experience rain. But before I go into that, let me update you all about last night.
So there are like three guys who I thought were German who all looked like footbal players, but they said "nigh" instead of "nine" for no. So maybe it was another language? They were quiet, which made it difficult to gauge if they were normal. But they mostly just seemed sleepy, so no problem there.
So anyway, cultural differences being what they are, one guy was walking around in some sort of long underwear that were literally like underwear. Like white briefs, but with legs. At least, that's what I think I saw in that blur of the "oh my, must look way" moment. They all seem quite comfortable changing right there in the room.
There were six boys in the room, and only one girl yesterday. The girl, who is probably in her 40's, went out. So it was me and six shirtless foreign guys all laying in bed reading books (let me clarify -- different beds). Strange I must say. Three from Germany probably, two from South Africa, one from South Korea.
It was a bit awkward to say the least, especially since I was trying to have a cell phone conversation.
I have an accent.
I never realized this before, as the American accent always out-numbered other accents. But almost no one here has an Amercian accent. The closest is the New York accent, but most of the staff is foreign. There are lots of Australians too.
So anyway, boys sleep loudly. Much louder than girls. Many of them snore, or if nothing else they just breathe loudly. The construction noise continued last night, but aside from some snoring it could have been much worse.
The interview went fine. I had to wear these patent leather stilletos, as I hadn't found any other shoe options. So I took a cab, and was fully aware that he was ripping me off by taking the wrong streets, but I wanted to waste a few minutes anyway and would have just ended up going in a Starbucks and spending more there (and I would have had to walk). So I made a donation to the cab driver fund.
It was a two-hour interview. There were many, many stairs to climb because the company took up most of the seven floors of a 12-floor building. Everyone seemed nice enough. We'll see what happens.
I was going to take a cab back, but for some strange reason walked to the subway instead. I guess I wanted to test if it was possible to take a subway in stilletos, and it is. Though, not fun. I had to take some train, I think the B? To some other train to get back to the one to go uptown, so it took forever. I can't wait to get out of the hostel. I feel like I am doing time here with the bunk beds.
But anyway, it was pouring rain today. My little umbrella got turned inside-out. Other people's umbrellas had the same problem. Can't say I'd see that happen before. Even with the umbrella my coat was drenched. So much for blow-drying my hair this morning!
Then I left my little umbrella (it is tiny) by the lockers so it could dry and someone stole it. People suck. I'm getting so tired of lugging my luggage around so no one steals it, between the lockers on the 4th floor and bringing them to the front desk and then lugging them up again to the 4th floor w/ the bag person (who makes me carry my own bags up there -- but what do you expect for $20-$30 a day?).
But I went back to that little Turkish place for lunch and it was tasty. They have this amazing soup.
Okay, I'm off to find food and hopefully go to sleep early. Assuming there aren't tons of people in the room.
So there are like three guys who I thought were German who all looked like footbal players, but they said "nigh" instead of "nine" for no. So maybe it was another language? They were quiet, which made it difficult to gauge if they were normal. But they mostly just seemed sleepy, so no problem there.
So anyway, cultural differences being what they are, one guy was walking around in some sort of long underwear that were literally like underwear. Like white briefs, but with legs. At least, that's what I think I saw in that blur of the "oh my, must look way" moment. They all seem quite comfortable changing right there in the room.
There were six boys in the room, and only one girl yesterday. The girl, who is probably in her 40's, went out. So it was me and six shirtless foreign guys all laying in bed reading books (let me clarify -- different beds). Strange I must say. Three from Germany probably, two from South Africa, one from South Korea.
It was a bit awkward to say the least, especially since I was trying to have a cell phone conversation.
I have an accent.
I never realized this before, as the American accent always out-numbered other accents. But almost no one here has an Amercian accent. The closest is the New York accent, but most of the staff is foreign. There are lots of Australians too.
So anyway, boys sleep loudly. Much louder than girls. Many of them snore, or if nothing else they just breathe loudly. The construction noise continued last night, but aside from some snoring it could have been much worse.
The interview went fine. I had to wear these patent leather stilletos, as I hadn't found any other shoe options. So I took a cab, and was fully aware that he was ripping me off by taking the wrong streets, but I wanted to waste a few minutes anyway and would have just ended up going in a Starbucks and spending more there (and I would have had to walk). So I made a donation to the cab driver fund.
It was a two-hour interview. There were many, many stairs to climb because the company took up most of the seven floors of a 12-floor building. Everyone seemed nice enough. We'll see what happens.
I was going to take a cab back, but for some strange reason walked to the subway instead. I guess I wanted to test if it was possible to take a subway in stilletos, and it is. Though, not fun. I had to take some train, I think the B? To some other train to get back to the one to go uptown, so it took forever. I can't wait to get out of the hostel. I feel like I am doing time here with the bunk beds.
But anyway, it was pouring rain today. My little umbrella got turned inside-out. Other people's umbrellas had the same problem. Can't say I'd see that happen before. Even with the umbrella my coat was drenched. So much for blow-drying my hair this morning!
Then I left my little umbrella (it is tiny) by the lockers so it could dry and someone stole it. People suck. I'm getting so tired of lugging my luggage around so no one steals it, between the lockers on the 4th floor and bringing them to the front desk and then lugging them up again to the 4th floor w/ the bag person (who makes me carry my own bags up there -- but what do you expect for $20-$30 a day?).
But I went back to that little Turkish place for lunch and it was tasty. They have this amazing soup.
Okay, I'm off to find food and hopefully go to sleep early. Assuming there aren't tons of people in the room.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Sleepy
I have never been this tired. I don't think I've slept more than four hours in more than a week.
Last night someone's cell phone played a song in what I think was German ever half hour for a few hours. Then the cell phone owners arrived and didn't stop talking for a veeery long time. Then construction started outside.
Next, that loud squeeking noise. It would go on for five minutes or so, stop. And then the cell phone would ring again.
Finally, it was quiet.
Then, the front desk guy walked in and turned on the light around 3am to ask if anyone knew where Jody was. "I don't know who Jody is," I said and tried to go back to sleep. Everyone else seemed to sleep through it all, because I could hear their loud sleep breathing.
Then the two girls started throwing tissy fits about who had borrowed whose black tights. Next, lots of suitcase zippering, unzippering, bags crinckling.
So that was most of the night. And of course everyone got up bright and early and they looked so rested. Ah, to be in college again...
Apparnately, Dylan is hot. One of the girls said that several times while I was still trying to sleep. Not sure if Dylan will be back tonight. From looking around the room it appears that six of the other eight bunks are occupied by guy stuff. Unless a girl has a camo bag. Who knows.
It is quite strange when they change in the room though. I prefer to change in the bathroom. But many of them don't mind. Maybe it's a European thing? Some guy from south korea was asking me where I was from, as he took off his pants. Great.
This is strange, I must say.
I spent most of the day getting ready for the interview tomorrow. Tried to find some more appropriate shoes, but didn't see any good ones. I got a hairdryer and emailed a Kinkos and had them print off copies of my resume.
Some guy in the lobby was wearing shorts and no shoes. Don't forget, it's cold out here. And then he starts telling me that he's a DJ and just moved her and got a gig. And he's got this great gig. "But no shoes?" I sad. "Well I ran downstairs because this guy is coming over to meet me about the DJ stuff." Ah, I'm sure future DJ-employer guy will be impressed w/ the no-shoe look. Then he sat in the laptop area w/ huge earphone things "mixing."
Dylan has returned. And yes he is hot. From South Africa too. He's here for four months. Good times. Well, I'm off to eat my Subway food. Hopefully my interview will go well tomorrow.
Last night someone's cell phone played a song in what I think was German ever half hour for a few hours. Then the cell phone owners arrived and didn't stop talking for a veeery long time. Then construction started outside.
Next, that loud squeeking noise. It would go on for five minutes or so, stop. And then the cell phone would ring again.
Finally, it was quiet.
Then, the front desk guy walked in and turned on the light around 3am to ask if anyone knew where Jody was. "I don't know who Jody is," I said and tried to go back to sleep. Everyone else seemed to sleep through it all, because I could hear their loud sleep breathing.
Then the two girls started throwing tissy fits about who had borrowed whose black tights. Next, lots of suitcase zippering, unzippering, bags crinckling.
So that was most of the night. And of course everyone got up bright and early and they looked so rested. Ah, to be in college again...
Apparnately, Dylan is hot. One of the girls said that several times while I was still trying to sleep. Not sure if Dylan will be back tonight. From looking around the room it appears that six of the other eight bunks are occupied by guy stuff. Unless a girl has a camo bag. Who knows.
It is quite strange when they change in the room though. I prefer to change in the bathroom. But many of them don't mind. Maybe it's a European thing? Some guy from south korea was asking me where I was from, as he took off his pants. Great.
This is strange, I must say.
I spent most of the day getting ready for the interview tomorrow. Tried to find some more appropriate shoes, but didn't see any good ones. I got a hairdryer and emailed a Kinkos and had them print off copies of my resume.
Some guy in the lobby was wearing shorts and no shoes. Don't forget, it's cold out here. And then he starts telling me that he's a DJ and just moved her and got a gig. And he's got this great gig. "But no shoes?" I sad. "Well I ran downstairs because this guy is coming over to meet me about the DJ stuff." Ah, I'm sure future DJ-employer guy will be impressed w/ the no-shoe look. Then he sat in the laptop area w/ huge earphone things "mixing."
Dylan has returned. And yes he is hot. From South Africa too. He's here for four months. Good times. Well, I'm off to eat my Subway food. Hopefully my interview will go well tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Do mice really squeek?
Does anyone know if mice really squeek? There is a strange sound in the room. It sounds like when you boil water for tea, just before it whistles. Could a mouse make that much noise? It was pretty loud.
This morning, a german girl on the bunk below me said a mouse ate half of her chocolate bon bon last night. Do mice squeel with delight when they're happy? I would imagine finding a piece of chocolate would make a mouse's day.
Hopefully the mouse will be only heard, and not seen!
So today I finally got my first interview set up! I'm meeting w/ three of the people at the company on Thursday :D
There are tons of fun stores here and I found an awesome hummus place for lunch. They have hummus only.
Central Park is gorgeous right now with the beautiful leaves. And the runners...I can't believe how in shape these people are. They must be the ones who just did the marathon. They weren't even cold in "t" shirts and shorts and I was shivering in a scarf and coat. I was impressed.
There were a lot of little dogs being walked.
One chiwahwa had a little red down jacket on. It was so nice to have the trees, and the pretty shadows and highlights on the soft-looking green grass. Wet yellow leaves on the ground. It looked like a painting. I think I'll sketch it tomorrow.
A woman walking across the street got hit hard by a bicycle. An ambulance showed up. I got there right after it happened, but I overheard three cyclists next to me talking about it loudly.
One was ranting about the hundreds of people who die a year in Central Park due to bicycles and rollarbladers hitting them. A woman cyclist was disagreeing with him.
Then I got some random call from some guy in Florida who wanted me to write a script of my eBook and try to make a movie of it. He wanted to like co-write it with me, which I don't understand, as he didn't have a background in that. Weird. So, uh...no.
I went to this HUGE Barnes and Noble. The coffee area was packed. In line (or on line as they say here), there was a couple breaking up. It was sad.
I was so tired that I closed a book on my scarf and tried to put it back on the shelf.
That's all for today!
This morning, a german girl on the bunk below me said a mouse ate half of her chocolate bon bon last night. Do mice squeel with delight when they're happy? I would imagine finding a piece of chocolate would make a mouse's day.
Hopefully the mouse will be only heard, and not seen!
So today I finally got my first interview set up! I'm meeting w/ three of the people at the company on Thursday :D
There are tons of fun stores here and I found an awesome hummus place for lunch. They have hummus only.
Central Park is gorgeous right now with the beautiful leaves. And the runners...I can't believe how in shape these people are. They must be the ones who just did the marathon. They weren't even cold in "t" shirts and shorts and I was shivering in a scarf and coat. I was impressed.
There were a lot of little dogs being walked.
One chiwahwa had a little red down jacket on. It was so nice to have the trees, and the pretty shadows and highlights on the soft-looking green grass. Wet yellow leaves on the ground. It looked like a painting. I think I'll sketch it tomorrow.
A woman walking across the street got hit hard by a bicycle. An ambulance showed up. I got there right after it happened, but I overheard three cyclists next to me talking about it loudly.
One was ranting about the hundreds of people who die a year in Central Park due to bicycles and rollarbladers hitting them. A woman cyclist was disagreeing with him.
Then I got some random call from some guy in Florida who wanted me to write a script of my eBook and try to make a movie of it. He wanted to like co-write it with me, which I don't understand, as he didn't have a background in that. Weird. So, uh...no.
I went to this HUGE Barnes and Noble. The coffee area was packed. In line (or on line as they say here), there was a couple breaking up. It was sad.
I was so tired that I closed a book on my scarf and tried to put it back on the shelf.
That's all for today!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Hostel...
Summary of today. Monday, First day alone:
Checked into the hostel where I will stay for close to three weeks (until my apartment is ready).
Five creepy guys talked to me.
Got one interview.
Carried over $400 in my shoes.
Got caught in the rain. Ducked in a Starbucks and some guy did magic tricks.
Met up w/ Nina and went shopping! :)
Some kids breakdanced on the train. No one bothered looking.
Okay so this morning my mom left. My sister took the train back to D.C. the day before. I took a cab across the city to an upper west side hostel. It's only $20-$30 a day if you share a room with seven or more people.
I just got to the hostel and I'm waiting to check in. The common area is pretty cool. Dimly lit like a bar with ambiance. It reminds me of The Cellar (for those you who went to U of A and remember it -- it burned down).
The hostel common room is chilly, but has nice flat screen TVs and some kinda strange program with mysterious music and vegas type dancers. Unlike when I visited the hostel, there are no longer huge numbers of bored-looking cute guys. There is one older woman on her laptop too. Some kinda sketchy guy in the pool room and a few couples. Most people look vacation-ish.
When I first got here some British (maybe German?) guys sat down and one offered me an "ice" which apparently means an ice cream bar. I declied. I'm not sure if he was drunk, or just foreign.
So now I'm just sitting here waiting to check in. I'm not sure if my room will have guys and girls. It probably will. I'm not sure if anyone will be sketchy or not. Hopefully not.
After I check in I will probably wander around the streets and get lost. I hurt my knee a couple days ago when I tripped down some stairs (didn't fall, but stumbled). I don't really want to take the subway until it heals a little more. I got a knee brace thing at the drug store. Am hoping that helps.
It's my eighth day here.
Last night I ended up yelling at a cab driver who was taking us around the block (way around the block) to try to get more money. I haven't been that mad in a long time. He turned off the meter, as he was guilty. So it ended up being a fair price. Then I ended up flipping off a tour bus guy after he made us wait for 45 minutes than we were suppose to wait, and then wanted to squish us onto a completely full bus that was already driving in traffic. I don't know if I've ever been that mad. Can't say I've done that before.
Today I was very on edge with the cabbie. It's hard to tell though. It seemed he was taking all of the incredibly slow streets. So I told him it was taking too long and to find another way to go. But I didn't have certain evidence, and I didn't know a better route.
I have over $200 in each of my shoes. shhh! Don't tell anyone. :) I figured it'd be safer than having it in my bag, just in case I got mugged on the way over (which I've heard can happen). I have very expensive feet at the moment. I'm not sure how much the check-in girl will like it when I give her my money, lol. I'll try to be discreet.
I freaked out yesterday about the hostel and the whole situation, especially safety -- of myself and the few possessions that I still own. I have a couple of rings that were my mom's and grandmother's. And my laptop has all of my writing (didn't have time to back it up). I didn't find any pepper spray in the stores, and I never did get around to having my dad teach me basic Judo (he's a black belt, but I never bothered learning).
I got a call this morning from an employment agency and an ad agency is interested in talking to me! Thank God. I was really starting to freak out. It's a healthcare agency. Fingers crossed. The office isn't far from my apartment either. Maybe 30-40 minutes.
I've got to buy some better work shoes though. I only have one pair of patent leather stilletos. I'm not sure that says "professional" and also not sure if I can walk for more than fifteen feet in those. And I don't really want to take another $30 cross city cab ride for one interview. But I already have one small suitcase, two large tote bags (I added one bag just in the last week from buying a coat and boots) and a large purse. So I'm not sure I could add anything more to the mix.
Well, just 30 more minutes...The DVD is now on the main menu and has been repeating the same twenty seconds of talking and music for the last half hour or so. Ick...please make check-in time happen faster!
Until next time...
Tonight: So the woman behind the desk said it's not safe to keep luggage in the room, so I have to keep all of my bags behind the front desk. I walked up the stairs to lock my laptop in a locker and there was this like 6'4" bald guy who looked like an angry Mr. Clean. I was hoping he wasn't in my room. Then I walked outside and two people asked me for change within the first block. One guy told me he had AIDS and just wanted to go to the McDonalds down the street. I hid in a Starbucks for a while, wondering how safe the area was and how soon it would get dark. Then I found a store and bought some jeans. I was so glad just to have a minute in the dressing room where I didn't have to worry about getting mugged or anything.
Somehow in this area, I felt overdressed, even though I was just wearing jeans and sneakers. My Gap scarf somehow felt upscale. I suddenly wanted to roll around in dirt for a while in the hopes that fewer people would ask me for chagne.
I met Nina down at Union Square and we went shopping, which was fun. I guess I was right that this isn't the best neighborhood. So my plan is to stay away from the hostel as much as possible except to sleep.
On the subway a somewhat sketchy looking man started rambling about how he'd just gotten mugged. Something about how they even took the money from his front pocket. But I couldn't tell if he was lying, or just trying to ask me for change.
Then I took a few subways back and when I got out of the last one it was pouring rain. Some people were ducking under overhangs. I didn't really want to stay trapped under the overhang in a not-so-good neighborhood, so I walked quickly. But the rain was pouring so much I had to stop in a Starbucks. There were no empty chairs, since everyone was hiding from rain.
"So they sell chocolate milk here?" said some slightly creepy middle-aged guy. "Uh, yeah." I said, holding one of those boxes of chocolate milk with the picture of a cow on it. He was standing with this smiling younger guy who looked like he was from out of town. There was something funny about both of them.
My coat was dripping wet and it was still pouring outside. There was still no where to sit, so I just stood by the straws and coffee accessories.
"You live around here?" said creepy guy.
"Kinda." I said. I mean, I guess I technically live in a hostel? But it isn't his business.
So they sit down when a table opens up and I stand there still, drinking chocolate milk still.
There is a less threatening looking 30-40 year old guy sitting next to a big empty seat, so I go over and ask to sit down. He's on vacation from Argentina and doesn't seem as creepy. He says he's a lawyer, but I don't really believe him. Don't trust him either. I keep looking out the window, wondering when the rain will stop. He asks where I'm from, etc.
I finish my drink, and look out the window as the rain stops.
"Don't leave," he says. Suddenly it occurs to me, I really should leave. So I do.
The creepy guy stops me as I'm walking out and pulls out a yellow hankerchief. he does a magic trick. I really can't tell where he is hiding it, though he insists I figure it out. Doesn't appear to be in his sleeve, but I really don't care. I start to leave again. "My friend here has a crush on you," he says. "But we don't know where you live. When we asked if you lived around here, you said 'kinda." Does that mean Philli or what?" His smiling friend pretends to look embarassed. "I know it's embarassing, says creepy guy." I ignore the whole thing, politely say goodbye and walk into the much less intense rain.
I go back to the hostel, peek inside the room. I see a bunch of male feet sticking out from the bunks. So I just threw my stuff on the top bunk and before I could think twice hurried out to check my email, forgetting that I needed my bag to get ready for bed. I moved ten empty beer cans off the table closest to the wall outlet and plugged in my laptop.
They're now playing some creepy horror type movie thing. There are about four asian guys, two sound like they're british. Then two young white guys, probably in college who are drinking glass bottles inside of paper bags. A couple strangely dressed younger college girls. And a sea of laptops.
I'm so tired. I guess I have to go back to the room. Sigh. This is going to be a long three weeks.
Checked into the hostel where I will stay for close to three weeks (until my apartment is ready).
Five creepy guys talked to me.
Got one interview.
Carried over $400 in my shoes.
Got caught in the rain. Ducked in a Starbucks and some guy did magic tricks.
Met up w/ Nina and went shopping! :)
Some kids breakdanced on the train. No one bothered looking.
Okay so this morning my mom left. My sister took the train back to D.C. the day before. I took a cab across the city to an upper west side hostel. It's only $20-$30 a day if you share a room with seven or more people.
I just got to the hostel and I'm waiting to check in. The common area is pretty cool. Dimly lit like a bar with ambiance. It reminds me of The Cellar (for those you who went to U of A and remember it -- it burned down).
The hostel common room is chilly, but has nice flat screen TVs and some kinda strange program with mysterious music and vegas type dancers. Unlike when I visited the hostel, there are no longer huge numbers of bored-looking cute guys. There is one older woman on her laptop too. Some kinda sketchy guy in the pool room and a few couples. Most people look vacation-ish.
When I first got here some British (maybe German?) guys sat down and one offered me an "ice" which apparently means an ice cream bar. I declied. I'm not sure if he was drunk, or just foreign.
So now I'm just sitting here waiting to check in. I'm not sure if my room will have guys and girls. It probably will. I'm not sure if anyone will be sketchy or not. Hopefully not.
After I check in I will probably wander around the streets and get lost. I hurt my knee a couple days ago when I tripped down some stairs (didn't fall, but stumbled). I don't really want to take the subway until it heals a little more. I got a knee brace thing at the drug store. Am hoping that helps.
It's my eighth day here.
Last night I ended up yelling at a cab driver who was taking us around the block (way around the block) to try to get more money. I haven't been that mad in a long time. He turned off the meter, as he was guilty. So it ended up being a fair price. Then I ended up flipping off a tour bus guy after he made us wait for 45 minutes than we were suppose to wait, and then wanted to squish us onto a completely full bus that was already driving in traffic. I don't know if I've ever been that mad. Can't say I've done that before.
Today I was very on edge with the cabbie. It's hard to tell though. It seemed he was taking all of the incredibly slow streets. So I told him it was taking too long and to find another way to go. But I didn't have certain evidence, and I didn't know a better route.
I have over $200 in each of my shoes. shhh! Don't tell anyone. :) I figured it'd be safer than having it in my bag, just in case I got mugged on the way over (which I've heard can happen). I have very expensive feet at the moment. I'm not sure how much the check-in girl will like it when I give her my money, lol. I'll try to be discreet.
I freaked out yesterday about the hostel and the whole situation, especially safety -- of myself and the few possessions that I still own. I have a couple of rings that were my mom's and grandmother's. And my laptop has all of my writing (didn't have time to back it up). I didn't find any pepper spray in the stores, and I never did get around to having my dad teach me basic Judo (he's a black belt, but I never bothered learning).
I got a call this morning from an employment agency and an ad agency is interested in talking to me! Thank God. I was really starting to freak out. It's a healthcare agency. Fingers crossed. The office isn't far from my apartment either. Maybe 30-40 minutes.
I've got to buy some better work shoes though. I only have one pair of patent leather stilletos. I'm not sure that says "professional" and also not sure if I can walk for more than fifteen feet in those. And I don't really want to take another $30 cross city cab ride for one interview. But I already have one small suitcase, two large tote bags (I added one bag just in the last week from buying a coat and boots) and a large purse. So I'm not sure I could add anything more to the mix.
Well, just 30 more minutes...The DVD is now on the main menu and has been repeating the same twenty seconds of talking and music for the last half hour or so. Ick...please make check-in time happen faster!
Until next time...
Tonight: So the woman behind the desk said it's not safe to keep luggage in the room, so I have to keep all of my bags behind the front desk. I walked up the stairs to lock my laptop in a locker and there was this like 6'4" bald guy who looked like an angry Mr. Clean. I was hoping he wasn't in my room. Then I walked outside and two people asked me for change within the first block. One guy told me he had AIDS and just wanted to go to the McDonalds down the street. I hid in a Starbucks for a while, wondering how safe the area was and how soon it would get dark. Then I found a store and bought some jeans. I was so glad just to have a minute in the dressing room where I didn't have to worry about getting mugged or anything.
Somehow in this area, I felt overdressed, even though I was just wearing jeans and sneakers. My Gap scarf somehow felt upscale. I suddenly wanted to roll around in dirt for a while in the hopes that fewer people would ask me for chagne.
I met Nina down at Union Square and we went shopping, which was fun. I guess I was right that this isn't the best neighborhood. So my plan is to stay away from the hostel as much as possible except to sleep.
On the subway a somewhat sketchy looking man started rambling about how he'd just gotten mugged. Something about how they even took the money from his front pocket. But I couldn't tell if he was lying, or just trying to ask me for change.
Then I took a few subways back and when I got out of the last one it was pouring rain. Some people were ducking under overhangs. I didn't really want to stay trapped under the overhang in a not-so-good neighborhood, so I walked quickly. But the rain was pouring so much I had to stop in a Starbucks. There were no empty chairs, since everyone was hiding from rain.
"So they sell chocolate milk here?" said some slightly creepy middle-aged guy. "Uh, yeah." I said, holding one of those boxes of chocolate milk with the picture of a cow on it. He was standing with this smiling younger guy who looked like he was from out of town. There was something funny about both of them.
My coat was dripping wet and it was still pouring outside. There was still no where to sit, so I just stood by the straws and coffee accessories.
"You live around here?" said creepy guy.
"Kinda." I said. I mean, I guess I technically live in a hostel? But it isn't his business.
So they sit down when a table opens up and I stand there still, drinking chocolate milk still.
There is a less threatening looking 30-40 year old guy sitting next to a big empty seat, so I go over and ask to sit down. He's on vacation from Argentina and doesn't seem as creepy. He says he's a lawyer, but I don't really believe him. Don't trust him either. I keep looking out the window, wondering when the rain will stop. He asks where I'm from, etc.
I finish my drink, and look out the window as the rain stops.
"Don't leave," he says. Suddenly it occurs to me, I really should leave. So I do.
The creepy guy stops me as I'm walking out and pulls out a yellow hankerchief. he does a magic trick. I really can't tell where he is hiding it, though he insists I figure it out. Doesn't appear to be in his sleeve, but I really don't care. I start to leave again. "My friend here has a crush on you," he says. "But we don't know where you live. When we asked if you lived around here, you said 'kinda." Does that mean Philli or what?" His smiling friend pretends to look embarassed. "I know it's embarassing, says creepy guy." I ignore the whole thing, politely say goodbye and walk into the much less intense rain.
I go back to the hostel, peek inside the room. I see a bunch of male feet sticking out from the bunks. So I just threw my stuff on the top bunk and before I could think twice hurried out to check my email, forgetting that I needed my bag to get ready for bed. I moved ten empty beer cans off the table closest to the wall outlet and plugged in my laptop.
They're now playing some creepy horror type movie thing. There are about four asian guys, two sound like they're british. Then two young white guys, probably in college who are drinking glass bottles inside of paper bags. A couple strangely dressed younger college girls. And a sea of laptops.
I'm so tired. I guess I have to go back to the room. Sigh. This is going to be a long three weeks.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Apartment
After six full days in NYC...
Today we got lunch at a tasty little place in Soho called Peperosso with Nina, my sister and mom! My sister had delicious Penne Vodka with Panchetta. Good paninis as well. They only had about ten chairs in the whole place. Had to kinda climb over strangers and bump into them to sit down. Everyone coming in had to wait for someone to leave to sit down. Was tasty though.
Then we checked out Soho and took a cab to a cute little apartment in the east village. I got it! It's quite far from the train...like 10 blocks, but I really liked it. The room I have isn't too small, it has a wood floor and a big window. And it has a patio thing. Lots of fun places to go out close by. We're going to have fun Nina!
So now I have a coat, apartment and I got some boots yesterday. This means I will only have to live in hostels until Dec 1!! :) And get a job of course...
Oh and I can finally tie a scarf! I had seen hundreds of people with scarves tied so nicely and I couldn't figure out how they did it, but Nina knew how!
Then we got some pizza on the way to see a show. The news was on in the restaurant and the Broadway stage hands were on strike! That meant 30 of the shows were closed for the night, including The Grinch, which I saw earlier in the week. Only eight shows were still playing. Luckily, after taking the subway all the way up to the theatre, Cymbeline was still playing! It had amazing costumes and effects.
Then we got back after 11pm and went to the Empire State Building. I hadn't been up there before. Was quite cold and windy, but totally worth it.
Then we went on a quest for food. Luckily found this place, Speedy's, that has great food and is open 24-hours. They make breakfast, lunch and dinner at all hours. I got soup at 1am. and then we came back and it's like 2am now.
I tried hiding money in usual places today and everything stayed. So that's good. I need to buy a new scarf, some pepper spray and a compass.
I'm having fun! Just need to find a job.
Today we got lunch at a tasty little place in Soho called Peperosso with Nina, my sister and mom! My sister had delicious Penne Vodka with Panchetta. Good paninis as well. They only had about ten chairs in the whole place. Had to kinda climb over strangers and bump into them to sit down. Everyone coming in had to wait for someone to leave to sit down. Was tasty though.
Then we checked out Soho and took a cab to a cute little apartment in the east village. I got it! It's quite far from the train...like 10 blocks, but I really liked it. The room I have isn't too small, it has a wood floor and a big window. And it has a patio thing. Lots of fun places to go out close by. We're going to have fun Nina!
So now I have a coat, apartment and I got some boots yesterday. This means I will only have to live in hostels until Dec 1!! :) And get a job of course...
Oh and I can finally tie a scarf! I had seen hundreds of people with scarves tied so nicely and I couldn't figure out how they did it, but Nina knew how!
Then we got some pizza on the way to see a show. The news was on in the restaurant and the Broadway stage hands were on strike! That meant 30 of the shows were closed for the night, including The Grinch, which I saw earlier in the week. Only eight shows were still playing. Luckily, after taking the subway all the way up to the theatre, Cymbeline was still playing! It had amazing costumes and effects.
Then we got back after 11pm and went to the Empire State Building. I hadn't been up there before. Was quite cold and windy, but totally worth it.
Then we went on a quest for food. Luckily found this place, Speedy's, that has great food and is open 24-hours. They make breakfast, lunch and dinner at all hours. I got soup at 1am. and then we came back and it's like 2am now.
I tried hiding money in usual places today and everything stayed. So that's good. I need to buy a new scarf, some pepper spray and a compass.
I'm having fun! Just need to find a job.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Travel log
Okay, I'm starting a travel log here. If this sorta thing bores you, no need to read on.
So, it's Friday night. I've been here for five full days.
So far...
I had two copywriting phone interviews. (crossing fingers)
I saw two apartments. One in DUMBO (Brooklyn) and one in the theatre district. Seeing two more this weekend.
I met two friends. At the Macy's.
I tried two new types of food. Korean and Turkish.
I've had two family members here: my mom and sister.
I looked at two hostels.
I freaked out many times.
It's all happening in twos! (except the last thing)
Details...
My sister took the train up from D.C. today to hang out for the weekend. My mom, sister and I took the subway uptown to the upper west side to check out a hostel I booked online.
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I'd never been in a hostel. From what I had heard, I was picturing a cross between a homeless shelter and the MVD.
I couldn't see the actual rooms, as they were being cleaned. But I walked through the common areas. It was very hip (the only hostel in NYC that is decorated nicely). I need a hostel because two days from now the hotel is done and then my family is gone and I don't have an apartment yet.
So I walked through the common area -- flat screen TVs and monitors, nice big new fridge and swanky looking kichen. About thirty cute guys all dressed nicely and looking bored (actually, haven't seen a single guy here dressed badly so far). They were mostly sitting alone watching flat screen TVs or starring at laptops. I think they were all forced out of the rooms due to the maid cleaning them. They all looked pretty friendly.
I booked five days at around $20 a day. It's closer to $100 a day for a single room. But this way, I just have to share a room with seven other people (guys and girls) and one bathroom. Should be a good way to meet people? Hard to share one room and four sets of bunks without exchanging a "hello" right?
The maid at our Midtown hotel tried to insist I rent a room from here in Queens. She stopped in like three times. Even with my hair dripping from the shower I couldn't seem to get rid of her. She thought I was going to college though (nice compliment to subtract close to ten years from my age), so I let her talk a bit longer
We got Turkish food at the most delicious place ever. The seasoning and flavors were perfect. I will have to remember the name...
We went to the big Macy's in Midtown because I needed a new coat. There were two girls trying on the same Keneth Cole Reaction black coat. I noticed how cute it was and they told me where they'd found it. So we ended up talking and one girl had been here for three months. The other had been in NYC for a month with her husband. So two of us ended up buying the coat, and we exchanged numbers to go have a girl's night.
Then we hurried back to the hotel and got ready to go see an Off Broadway play called Voodoo Love. We took the subway down to Greenwich village to this theatre that is about 80 years old. The acting was amazing, but the plot a bit surprising. Yesterday night we saw The Spelling Bee which was very funny. So many talented performers here.
So on the way to the theatre it started pouring rain. We stopped in a little restaurant and got a couple drinks. But on the way back it was pouring rain and freezing cold. My teeth have never chattered that much before! I kept biting my tongue! lol. Luckily we got a taxi just before we froze to death. Got back to midtown and had a late dinner at a Korean place. Wasn't sure what most of the foods were, but it was good.
Okay I'm so tired so I hope this makes sense!
So, it's Friday night. I've been here for five full days.
So far...
I had two copywriting phone interviews. (crossing fingers)
I saw two apartments. One in DUMBO (Brooklyn) and one in the theatre district. Seeing two more this weekend.
I met two friends. At the Macy's.
I tried two new types of food. Korean and Turkish.
I've had two family members here: my mom and sister.
I looked at two hostels.
I freaked out many times.
It's all happening in twos! (except the last thing)
Details...
My sister took the train up from D.C. today to hang out for the weekend. My mom, sister and I took the subway uptown to the upper west side to check out a hostel I booked online.
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I'd never been in a hostel. From what I had heard, I was picturing a cross between a homeless shelter and the MVD.
I couldn't see the actual rooms, as they were being cleaned. But I walked through the common areas. It was very hip (the only hostel in NYC that is decorated nicely). I need a hostel because two days from now the hotel is done and then my family is gone and I don't have an apartment yet.
So I walked through the common area -- flat screen TVs and monitors, nice big new fridge and swanky looking kichen. About thirty cute guys all dressed nicely and looking bored (actually, haven't seen a single guy here dressed badly so far). They were mostly sitting alone watching flat screen TVs or starring at laptops. I think they were all forced out of the rooms due to the maid cleaning them. They all looked pretty friendly.
I booked five days at around $20 a day. It's closer to $100 a day for a single room. But this way, I just have to share a room with seven other people (guys and girls) and one bathroom. Should be a good way to meet people? Hard to share one room and four sets of bunks without exchanging a "hello" right?
The maid at our Midtown hotel tried to insist I rent a room from here in Queens. She stopped in like three times. Even with my hair dripping from the shower I couldn't seem to get rid of her. She thought I was going to college though (nice compliment to subtract close to ten years from my age), so I let her talk a bit longer
We got Turkish food at the most delicious place ever. The seasoning and flavors were perfect. I will have to remember the name...
We went to the big Macy's in Midtown because I needed a new coat. There were two girls trying on the same Keneth Cole Reaction black coat. I noticed how cute it was and they told me where they'd found it. So we ended up talking and one girl had been here for three months. The other had been in NYC for a month with her husband. So two of us ended up buying the coat, and we exchanged numbers to go have a girl's night.
Then we hurried back to the hotel and got ready to go see an Off Broadway play called Voodoo Love. We took the subway down to Greenwich village to this theatre that is about 80 years old. The acting was amazing, but the plot a bit surprising. Yesterday night we saw The Spelling Bee which was very funny. So many talented performers here.
So on the way to the theatre it started pouring rain. We stopped in a little restaurant and got a couple drinks. But on the way back it was pouring rain and freezing cold. My teeth have never chattered that much before! I kept biting my tongue! lol. Luckily we got a taxi just before we froze to death. Got back to midtown and had a late dinner at a Korean place. Wasn't sure what most of the foods were, but it was good.
Okay I'm so tired so I hope this makes sense!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Well this is new...
I thought I'd blog more to keep in touch, until I get settled and have more time to email/call and what not.
Okay so I'm in NYC! Hooray! So what happened was, I had a vacation with my mom planned for a week. And then I decided I should just stay, so I cancelled my return trip.
I saw one apartment so far and it wasn't the greatest. I have a phone interview tomorrow...fingers crossed! I'll probably end up living in a hostel for a while, which should be a good way to meet people at least, right?
So far...
I saw a guy get mugged in Penn station. Well, I didn't see the "mugging." Just a guy running and yelling "Hey! Hey! Give that back! I need that!" The other guy was running too fast though. I was surprised how fast they could both run actually. So I am now going to have to hide my cash in unusual place.
I've seen lots of cute boots so far. But unfortunately, I don't have room in my one suitcase for a single other thing. So until I find a place, no boots for me!
My most important goal though, is finding a job ASAP so I'm not living in Central Park (don't get me wrong, it's a lovely park, but not to sleep in).
I have also realized that the subway is difficult. Not always, but sometimes. At one point, I needed to go uptown. But there were no uptown/downtown signs on either. In fact, the signs for each train were exactly the same, but they ran in opposite directions. So I asked a cop, who knew which one went to Manhattan. I guess you just have to memorize some random things when there aren't signs?
We just saw How The Grinch Stole Christmas. It was cute!
I think I walked by the church where they filmed the Sex And The City where Miranda has the crush on the monk guy. I could be wrong, but it looked the same.
All in all, I love it here! :D But I already miss everybody! And no more belly dance class...:(
Okay so I'm in NYC! Hooray! So what happened was, I had a vacation with my mom planned for a week. And then I decided I should just stay, so I cancelled my return trip.
I saw one apartment so far and it wasn't the greatest. I have a phone interview tomorrow...fingers crossed! I'll probably end up living in a hostel for a while, which should be a good way to meet people at least, right?
So far...
I saw a guy get mugged in Penn station. Well, I didn't see the "mugging." Just a guy running and yelling "Hey! Hey! Give that back! I need that!" The other guy was running too fast though. I was surprised how fast they could both run actually. So I am now going to have to hide my cash in unusual place.
I've seen lots of cute boots so far. But unfortunately, I don't have room in my one suitcase for a single other thing. So until I find a place, no boots for me!
My most important goal though, is finding a job ASAP so I'm not living in Central Park (don't get me wrong, it's a lovely park, but not to sleep in).
I have also realized that the subway is difficult. Not always, but sometimes. At one point, I needed to go uptown. But there were no uptown/downtown signs on either. In fact, the signs for each train were exactly the same, but they ran in opposite directions. So I asked a cop, who knew which one went to Manhattan. I guess you just have to memorize some random things when there aren't signs?
We just saw How The Grinch Stole Christmas. It was cute!
I think I walked by the church where they filmed the Sex And The City where Miranda has the crush on the monk guy. I could be wrong, but it looked the same.
All in all, I love it here! :D But I already miss everybody! And no more belly dance class...:(
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