Landed in NYC

I've been in NYC for a week now and this is my first blog! Needless to say, there's a lot to write about so I'm going to divide things up a bit. (When you're reading the blog, the newest addition will be at the top, so hopefully this isn't the last one you're reading!)

I guess it makes sense to start at the beginning. I took off from Flint with a 2 hour lay over in Detroit, then landed in NYC around 11:30. I took a shuttle to my hostel that was only 3 blocks from Central Park. Since it was the first time I've ever been in a hostel, I don't have much to compare it to. However, NYC seemed to be going through a heat streak and our room didn't have air conditioning. Thank goodness I was exhausted at the end of each day. Also, I had made a reservation for a 4 bed, female room. What I got was exactly the opposite. There were 3 guys from England in there with me. I had talked to them quite a bit so it wasn't too awkward sleeping. I also met a group of 8 students from Austria who had just finished a program at... I'm blanking on the school... but they were really nice as well. Overall, I liked the hostel. It wasn't a substitute for home but it was a good place to sleep.


Being completely new in such a big city like this is quite exciting and often hilarious. I'm happy to have enough self-confidence (and the ability to laugh at myself) to deal with some of the situations that I have. For instance, the first time I rode the bus. When I got on I was looking for a place to put my dollar bills, which the driver informed me, they do not take. Someone swiped their metro card and I paid him the money. Then, when I finally got to my stop, I hadn't positioned myself very well, so I was climbing over a bunch of people and pushing my way to the back door. Since it had taken so long, I was afraid that the bus driver was getting ready to leave. Now, at MSU the bus driver had to open the doors. So, I stood stupidly looking at the door and then yelled up to the the driver "Could you open the door please?!". Some people around me said, "Just push it." It was hilarious. The subway became my favorite means of transportation.

Moving from the hostel to our new apartment meant a trip on the subway with my suitcase. It was like weightlifting every time I had to climb the stairs up and down. But, like I said, I'm happy that I have enough self-confidence to do these things. I'm embracing the chance to look like a tourist as much as possible. :)