By: Paige Vigil (University of Minnesota)
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When I first started writing for the Campus Socialite, I wrote this same blog. The difference between now and then was, then I had only lived in New York for a few weeks, and now I have lived in New York for a few months. What has inspired me to “re-write” this blog, is that my New York journey is coming to an end in one short week. Then, I’ll be returning to prep for a white Christmas in Minnesnowta. Naturally, I am ecstatic to be returning to be with my friends and family. However, I have fallen in love with this city, and will be returning as soon as possible!
Best Borough: Now this is funny. There are five boroughs in New York City: Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. Silly me, when I first moved here I practically called everything a borough. Soho, Little Italy, Greenwich, etc., they were all boroughs to me. That is why I named Greenwich the best burrow in the previous blog, but in face, Greenwich is not a borough at all! Best borough OBVIOUSLY goes to Manhattan. Greenwich can now be the “best neighborhood.”
Best Bar: Previously, best bar went to Tortilla Flats. Which is still a good bar, don’t get me wrong. However, I have to change my mind (again) and say the best bar is the 79th Street Boat Basin. This bar is on 79th and Hudson and is phenomenal. It is underground and has a castle like feel to it, but it is all opened outside and you can sit next to the water. Another perk, you can bring your dog! Downside is that it is only seasonal, but nevertheless, worth your time!
Best Gay Bar: I am going to stick with my old answer on this one and say Boxers is my top pick for best NYC gay bar. Cheap drinks and shirtless men…do I really need to say more?
Best Atmosphere: In my last answer, I shamelessly plugged my previous employers at Lucy’s Cantina Royale. Before I switch my answer, let me tell you, the girls there are gorgeous, amazing people and the management is friendly beyond belief. However, if I am being completely honest, my award for Best Atmosphere has to go to The Frying Pan on 26th and 12th. The whole restaurant is on a boat and the crowd there is very open and friendly. Since I have discovered it, I have been bringing everyone I know there to see it! I have definitely become a weekly visitor and won’t stop going back till I have to leave!
Worst Security Location: I’ll stick with my previous answer again and say that the worst security location is the McDonald’s in Midtown. I could outrun those cops, even if they were trying to catch me with taser guns.
Worst Surprise: Most of my surprises I had were in the start of my NYC adventure. I still think that stench of New York can be unbearable at times. The quick whiffs of greasy hotdogs or rotten sewage are simply agonizing. Although, I would venture to say that, while each whiff still comes as a surprise, I do slightly expect those whiffs when I step out of my midtown apartment every morning.
Worst NYC Tourist Stereotype: I am seriously going to copy and paste my last answer to this question. Because I still feel exactly the same, and I don’t think I could say this much better…”I see tourists everyday, while walking to work in Times Square. The thing I have grown to hate most about New York are the tourists that invade it and sadly, about a month ago, I was one of them. It is true everyone in New York is always in a hurry and that is because they can never get anywhere because the tourists crowd the streets, moving along like baby turtles blockading the paths of the New Yorkers. We look pissed because we can’t get to work because the typical tourist is taking pictures of the big buildings and bright lights.”
Don’t worry Big Apple…I won’t be gone long.
