safe in the tourist trap

last week, my mom and i (along with two of her friends) took the megabus to new york city.  although i've been to nyc on a few other occasions, this was purely a tourist's endeavor.  we walked through time square, stood in line for discounted broadway tickets, took in a 2:00 show, and enjoyed a nice dinner in the city.  i even stopped to pick up a few souvenirs for the kids.

somehow, i had always felt as though being a tourist was not quite enough.  visiting big cities (even though, yes, i've lived on the edge of one my whole life) has never been my cup of tea.   and when i'm there, i've often felt as though i should look like i belong.  i hear friends talk about missing the city life or loving their current city of residence... and, although i never quite got it, i always felt a little less mature for not wanting the same thing.

this trip cured me, i think.  i enjoyed walking the busy sidewalks and looking up a little more often than i needed to.  and, although the perfect tourist trip would have been completed by the presence of my trusty digital camera, i was glad i left it behind.  instead, i got to really watch what was going on... and appreciate what i saw.

i saw a city that is completely and utterly resilient.
where a cab driver can maneuver his car in a ridiculously small space simply because that's all that is there.
where the guys on the sidewalks who sell maps and bus tours at penn station pull out a handful of umbrellas when it starts raining and start selling those.
where a perfect stranger who is walking confidently to her destination can pause, without missing a beat, to give directions to two middle aged women who can not find Lincoln Center.
where street vendors don't give up because they're being ignored... they just yell louder.
where mothers push strollers covered with clear plastic shields because it's raining... but they still have to get where they're going.

and, i guess what amazed me, is that no one is bothered by any of this.  because it's life and it's what they do.
in the suburbs, i avoid going places where i may have to parallel park.
and rain may be grounds to stay home for the day.

and, thankfully, that's ok... because i don't need to adopt city life to prove that i, too, am resilient.  for the first time, i realized that going somewhere and relishing in someone else's strengths is just one more way of appreciating this amazing country we live in.  and if a city-dwelling tourist ever has a burning desire to come get a good look at the suburbs of Baltimore county... well, i'll be here to show him around.  in the meantime, i'm happy to simply remember every time i use my Starbucks NYC souvenir mug.