In a New York Minute..or Week.

I cannot believe I have already been living in this wonderful city for an entire week! What have I been doing here for seven whole days?? Out of everything I could possibly be doing I bet you wouldn't EVER guess that I have spent my time walking NYC!

Well my friends out there would look at me and say "really Allison? We would expect nothing less."  To put my running/walking habits into perspective the doorman in the lobby downstairs already knows me by first and last name because I'm the girl that is always coming in from a run..true story.

I have truly been amazed at the things I have seen every day on my day long walks, and nightly jogs! How can you walk the same route every day and see different things each time? Well simple..its NEW YORK CITY! Thats why!

So while wandering the streets of New York in the past seven days, I thought I would compile a list of the lessons which I have learned..I know you are excited, listen up...

Seven Days of Learning..

These people can tell you aren't from here.

This lady in particular was stoping people to ask for donations to save Planned Parenthood. I cannot tell you how many people in the first two days I was stopped by, begging me to make a donation or buy something ridiculous. They can just tell you are not from New York. If you were you would be fleeing away from them..check out exhibit A in the picture. 

(side note this picture was taken in Greenwich Village..my favorite place in the city by far!!)

One guy was so desperate for me to save all of Africa, he told me I dropped my smile on the ground..and then made me listen to his 30 minute spiel on why I should save Africa..

OBVI, I smartened up and now walk quickly with my head down..

Pedestrian Signals mean nothing

This picture, taken while there was a red STOP hand displayed on the crossing signal. I learned very quickly that if you wait for the little man to appear to walk, it is basically like wearing a camera around your neck. Everyone will know you are not from here. So you must use those imperative skills of "looking both ways" you learned when you were five, and make a run for it run for your life. And hope you are not seconds from getting plowed over by an ambulance like me and one of my newfound friends (thats right, I'm making friends) had the pleasure of experiencing! 

A good honk is worth A LOT of money

If you have ever been to New York, if someone just the mentions the city you can hear non stop honking ..which is the reason I was surprised so see these signs posted all over the city. When I looked into this further, and read an article about it, I learned you can also get fined for changing a flat tire on the side of the road..we all know I'd be SOL! 

Tourists really ARE everywhere

This was the coolest little house on a side street just past times square. It had these little statues of golfers all around the porch. I saw many people snapping pictures, so of course I tap one of them on the shoulder and simply ask them, "Do you know what this is?" 

(one would think that since so many of them are snapping away at least ONE of them would have some kind of idea what they were taking a picture of, one would think.) 

The world really is much smaller than you think and random roommates can be a good thing

I was all alone in this HUGE two bedroom dorm (note the sarcasm please..) for almost two days until my roommate strolls in. My friends from school would be glad to know, the next night she had me at a sports bar watching the basketball games (finals?). 

We met up with some girls she went to high school with. While conversing with one of them I find out one of the girls is actually interning with me! If thats not a small world, please let me know what is! :)

and finally..

NO trip to target is worth the last stop on a Brooklyn bound subway train..

Even if it is this big and has three floors, elevators big enough for your shopping cart, and separate escalators for your shopping carts! 

If you need more details..?

It can be summed up with the ever so scary feeling of a stranger on the subway getting angry with you, because he did not hear you tell him this is the stop he should get off at. As if that would be my fault..

never again..alone at least! 

So now I finalize my outfit selection for my first day as an intern! 

wish me luck, cross your fingers, and say a little prayer, as I prepare for my first day taking on the REAL WORLD!! 

<3 Allison