Next Stop: Adventureland

The summertime in New York City can be a fun experience - especially on weekends - or so I'm told.  The locals flee town for a weekend getaway somewhere fancy (think the Hamptons, nice spots along the Jersey  Shore - or as I know it - the Shore; some venture up to the Cape).  But this summer, due to a serious lack of funds and due to the fact my job STILL requires me to go on an 8 week hiatus, I, along with my girlfriend, have   decided to create a list of things we want to do and see in New York City.  We will try to stay within a budget of course, but we will sometimes splurge. 

Yes, it's been done before. And yes, people have blogged about before and perhaps this won't be any different than any other blog you've read about someone's New York City adventures.  But for me, as I am approaching my 32nd birthday, I feel this itch to see things, to do things that I have not seen.  I have always felt this itch and more often than I would like to admit, I have recently ignored it.  Whether it was out of pure laziness on my part, whether it was the fact I was clinging onto the idea of a possible relationship being rekindled, I realize now, more than ever, that time is precious.  We need to fill up our days with exploration and creation.  We need to see the world with new eyes, each and every day; we need to take a new path, go on the road less traveled.  

 I have done my fair share of traveling alone and I have enjoyed my time alone.  But there comes a time in ones life when you realize you want to experience the world, the sites with someone else.  And who better to do that with, than the one you love; to not only see it through your eyes, but also, her eyes.  Because she too is experiencing these moments, these journeys for the first time.  Nothing would bring me greater joy than to watch my love take in the beauty of Brooklyn's Botanical Garden or taking a tour of the Wax Museum to look at the figures in awe of how real each of them seem - and of course to make goofy poses with them too :)  

We'll do the cliched visits (Empire State Building; we'll do a hidden treasure (come on now, you actually think I would reveal one of NYC's hidden treasures for the blogging world to discover?); we'll do as much as we can, on as little as we can.


Part of me is driven to do this because, no matter what I do, New York doesn't fully feel like home.  I like it, but am I head over heels in love with it?  No.  I don't get all the fuss, but at the same time I do.  I love the culture that is available here (ballet, opera, theatre) - but I rarely get to experience it.  However, ever since Jennifer and I have been dating, I have seen more than my fair share of plays and I am soaking it up.  I love the cuisines that are at my fingertips - and yet, I cannot afford to dine the way I wish I could.  I love how I can get anywhere I want to go via subway 24-7.


Perhaps with these adventures, I will fall in love with New York, just like Carrie Bradshaw - yes, you read it - a blog about New York mentions, Miss New York herself.  


So here begins our journey.  Niffersay's Adventures.  Some might be boring; others down right dreadful.  Some tasty.  Some emotional.  Some entertaining.  But the one guarantee?  A memory for each and every one.  Our list is soon to follow.

 Here's our toast to New York City ... with currently, hesitated love.