New York

New York

Tanner Lydie

English 121

Christopher Matsos

November 10, 2016

New York

 It was my senior year in high school when I finally decided what I wanted my graduation gift to be. Throughout my life, there has always been one place that I've always wanted to visit. That place was New York City. My parents knew from the beginning of my senior year that New York was going to be the best graduation gift for me.

         Working up to my graduation day during the year, I started saving up money so that way I'd be able to go to the Big Apple. Loose pocket change, extra side jobs and chores, and having a graduation party with all my friends and family helped. Every single one of my friends and family members knew that I have always desired to go to New York. Not only has New York  always been prominent to me, but my mom's side of the family used to live in Jamestown; the southern part of New York. They all moved over to California because they got tired of the four seasons. Of course, I've never been to the city and living next to San Diego gave me a hunger for more of the city life. By the time I graduated and after I had a blast at my graduation party, I saved up nearly $1100 for the trip. My best friend at the time, Marshall, was also interested in going. Not only does his dad work for the airlines so he can fly for free, he had cousins that lived in Queens. So he's been there a few times before. What better way is there than going to your favorite place in the world with your best friend?

         Getting on to the plane to fly into LaGuardia Airport was nerve wracking. My friend Marshall flew in a few days earlier than I did because he couldn't wait so I flew by myself. Being by myself on this adventure for the first time, I was way too anxious to arrive in New York and live out my childhood fantasy of arriving for the very first time. The view flying in was absolutely gorgeous and breathe taking. Unlike flying into J.F.K., LaGuardia has this distinct view where you fly over the city where you can see everything. Skyscrapers that looked as if they were shooting up into the atmosphere. There were little cars driving in between them as if they all had a mission of their own as they rushed through each street. Over the horizon, I can see the Hudson River divide New York and New Jersey. Knowing I got excited just by the view pretty much set the tone for the whole trip. As we got closer and closer to the airport landing strip, we finally touched down and I couldn't be any happier. The adventure I've been seeking; the city that I've been waiting for is right outside my airplane window.

 As soon as I got off the plane, I headed outside and got in a taxi cab heading towards Queens where my Marshall's cousins lived. I texted Marshall with millions of ideas and thoughts of what I wanted to go do. His cousin’s apartment in Queens was very adequate and I was impressed with the location and how neat they kept the place. I felt right at home. Thinking about heading out into the city was all that was on my mind the first five minutes I stayed in that apartment. Time Square was at the top of my list. Of course, that's the most cliché thing you can do as soon as you get to New York but after a while you get tired of looking at the pictures and actually want to be there. Central Park was also another number one option. In order to get there, we had to take the subway.  I've never experienced a subway or have never been on one in my life so I was very intrigued by how the different times and places worked. The subway life is so interesting and lively. Even though it’s filled with rats and dirt; it was filled with people focused on getting to their jobs, people performing their talents through music and poetry while trying to make a living, and also, people who wanted to venture throughout New York without hesitation and wanted to have fun.