Chew On This: If you can make it here-- well, IF you can…

By Priscilla Aviles

Recently I was walking in Union Square, enjoying one of the first warm days of the year, at peace with the world and loving humanity, when suddenly- a woman charging from the rear slammed so hard into me that my bag violently slid off my shoulder. In contrast to my former Zen frame of mind, I couldn’t control the, “Jesus Christ!” that spilled from my lips.

You would think that she would’ve turned around and apologized or at least just ignored me and kept walking, but you’re forgetting one crucial thing: this is New York. Instead, this woman had the audacity to turn around and yell, “Yeah, that’s right, watch where you’re going!”

She came from behind me.

I probably would have stood there arguing with her had she not continued on her sooo important journey to the trains down below. Instead, I was left to stand there in shock: jaw open, eyes squinting, and wondering why do people think this city is so great?

It’s definitely a love/hate relationship when you’re from New York. On the one hand you gotta love that when it comes to certain things such as food and experiencing other cultures, here, you have it all- whenever you want; in fact 4 o’clock in the morning is the perfect time for samosas, tortillas, sushi or roti.

When traveling, New York has your back; you’re never an (insert look of disgust) American, you’re (insert look of admiration and wonder) from New York. It’s a saving grace. Actually, it’s when I’m outside of this city that I appreciate it the most- like a relationship that I need to take a break from (often) in order to fully appreciate what I have.

Is that healthy? I have no clue. Is the grass greener on the other side? Probably, and most likely more plentiful too! With people damn near running each other over just to run the light or catch the train, muttering under their breaths, obnoxiously honking their horns, pumping fists, and throwing up middle fingers to complete strangers on a constant basis, it’s sometimes hard to understand why so many love it here. But when you’re sitting on the train and you see a group of young Hip Hop heads talking to an older rocker dude (who just minutes before was talking and cursing to himself) about boxing outta nowhere, you have to smile and think, only in New York.