When you experience the perfect fall day... you know, the days when its 50-60 degrees, the sunlight is pouring through the trees (some of which freakishly still have leaves attached to them, despite it being mid-November), and its almost warm enough to not wear a sweater or jacket, these are the times that its damn near impossible not to be obsessed with living in New York.
And so, with that, I present the start of a list of things I love about living here.
1. I love walking around the city and taking it all in. Watching the incredibly diversity of people, listening to various conversations (its not my fault that sometimes I'm forced to walk so slowly), and enjoying the views of the buildings as the 8 meager hours of sunlight work their way through the canyons of downtown. And no, I don't block sidewalk traffic by looking up at the tall buildings.
2. I always feel like there's a heightened sense of smell as the air turns cooler and crisper. Who can properly evaluate ones senses when the temperature is pushing 100 degrees, one is sweating profusely, and the wafting stench of rotting garbage interferes with the more desirable odors emanating from the pizzerias or coffee shops? Beyond enjoying the usual scents, you also have the added bonus (in midtown, at least), of roasted chestnuts. I have never (to my knowledge) eaten a roasted chestnut, but I enjoy the fact that its so easily associated with Winter in the city.
3. Walking by restaurants and bars when you are by yourself is one of the great pleasures in life. There is something voyeuristic about watching other people socialize. Its especially intense when you catch the glimpse of somebody who was otherwise engaged with a group of family or friends... you momentarily feel like you're connecting with somebody you have never interacted with. I know that sounds weird, but try walking by a restaurant and having somebody who is laughing after just hearing a joke look over at you. I dare you not to smile.
4. As infrequent as it is that I run into people I know, for a city the size of New York (with its accompanying population), its sort of miraculous that you would ever cross paths with acquaintances while in the course of daily life. Its a reminder of how small the city really is. And yet, it happens, and I'm always a little bit shocked by it.
5. Finally (for now), I love calling it the city. Anybody who has met me knows that I rarely refer to New York (or really Manhattan) as anything but "the city." Its not a knock on elsewhere, but this is where is all happens.
