Tourism!

A lot of people ask me how often I have time to visit Manhattan. It varies, but this year I am making a conscious effort to get to the city more often just for the heck of it. There is always something going on. This month, though, I purposefully ignored everything I’ve learned about being a New Yorker and the city itself. With some willing friends, I descended on the city as a tourist. Sure, I’ve lived in New York for over a year now, but it’s great to be the classic tourist: walking with your head craned upward, snapping pictures of everything from street signs and skyscrapers to taxis and costumed characters.

We hashed out a plan of attack. First, we focused on Times Square. It’s a go-to spot for everyone in New York, and we had no shame taking pictures in front of the red steps, where the ball drops on New Year’s Eve and with the ever-present Naked Cowboy.

Afterwards, we visited more famous New York locations on our way to FAO Schwartz. Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and the Plaza Hotel are all on the way to the famous toy store, so we took appropriate pictures at each one. While many New Yorkers (including Fordham students) complain about tourists getting in the way, everyone we ran into seemed glad to see us taking a Rockette-picture in front of the Music Hall and wandering through the Plaza eyes fixed on the gilt ceiling and chandeliers.

It’s easy and important to learn how to walk and talk like a New Yorker, but you should (and will) never forget the wonders of living in New York. They are opportunities for everything: internships, museums, shopping, lectures, concerts, jobs, benefits, exercise, volunteer work, and more. And there is always an opportunity waiting for you, even if it is just being a tourist.