New York Landing
My plane arrived late in the afternoon at JFK airport and within about an hour I was safely transported to my friend's apartment on the Upper West Side. I came expecting the stifling, humid summer weather New York is famous for but instead was greeted with brilliant sunshine and perfect temperatures. 'Seems like you brought California weather to New York with you!', my friend remarked.
The evening's activity consisted of us traveling by subway to Brooklyn Bridge Park, where throngs of people had assembled to watch Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on a massive projected screen situated near the East River shore. Most people were watching the movie- I couldn't take my eyes off the view.
(Apologies for the paltry size- still working out a few WordPress issues. But yes that is the Statue of Liberty in the background)
I had a few concerns that I'd find the adjustment from China to New York difficult. I still might. In one important respect, however, I feel right at home. When my friend apologized for how crowded the subway was, I reassured her that I didn't mind. If there's one thing living in China prepares you for, it's dealing with crowds.
New York though has a diversity that no city in China can match, an observation one can make simply from the subway. During a fifteen minute ride I heard people speaking French, Chinese, Japanese, English, and three other languages I couldn't identify. A man with a chin-length beard and dressed as a Hasidic Jew sat fatigued next to a woman whose origins looked distinctly Indian. I don't include this comparison to highlight China's homogeneity but rather to express just how international New York truly is.
Tonight I stepped into a classic diner for dinner. A lady approaching 80 shuffled toward my booth and took my order. 'Anything to drink, sweet hawt?' she drawled, and for a moment I was catapulted into the New York of classic stereotype.
September 7th, 2010 - 20:18
Welcome to NY. That’s so funny – the day you arrive in NY (my hometown) is the day I left for China (Dalian). Found your blog through Lost Laowai; I will definitely look through your China entries in search of any advice, funny stories, food/travel recs, teaching tipis, etc to get me through my own China journey. Have fun in NY!
September 8th, 2010 - 01:42
You did the exact same thing as me, except that I’m from Holland (country) and am living in Michigan for two years (been here a year so far *cry*). And I’m married and lived in Guilin, etc. I arrived in China when I was 18, went native, and left when I was 23. I never left during that time and just went back to my country last Christmas for the first time in over five years.
The reverse culture shock was and continues to be much worse than the culture shock when I arrived in China. You seem to be adjusting much better than I. I feel like China is my home now and we are planning to return there next year after I get a real diploma for once.
Good luck making the adjustment but don’t be surprised if even the things you hated about China the most pale in comparison to what you loved.
- Cheers, Maarten