Random Observation/Comment #679: You can take the Wans out of NY, but you can’t take the NY out of the Wans.
Why this list?
We’re settling into Colorado with a view of our Suburban changes. There are some very NYC-specific things we’ll surely miss. Unfortunately, a lot of this list was NYC pre-covid, but maybe we’ll see some resemblance of a new normal in the future (maybe not).
- Our friends and family – We didn’t have our last hurrah with everyone that we wanted, but I’m glad I did my #instax film project
- Table Tennis at Spin – I am growing an extended TT family here, but I will miss the 12pm-8pm Fridays with day drinking. That will always be my second home.
- Top tier restaurants with specialty cuisines – Truly authentic food from all over the world that is best to find. I loved just exploring new places and recommendations.
- Dim sum and sushi – I can probably make a whole list just about food, but these two are hard to replace. Some people would say bagel and lox, but I honestly didn’t really eat that many bagels.
- Bodegas – These were just so convenient and I loved getting my breakfast sandwiches.
- All the coffee shops we tested out – Flat whites from dozens of places within walking distance of my main walking routes.
- Fast and reliable Seamless delivery – It’s amazing how many delivery choices you have limited when people drive everywhere and use drive-thrus.
- Walking and taking the subway everywhere – I miss the subway commute in a weird way. I have nothing against driving, but I did my best list of 30 writing while standing on a crowded subway.
- Walking Daycare drop-off – It’s as hard to get Evie into a car seat as it is a stroller, but I had a lot of “me” time walking there and back.
- Morning walks with Akshay – Along with the morning drop-off, I also had a great weekly morning walk with Akshay to just talk about life. It was a nice break.
- NYC museums – I’d often take work to the MET or Museum of Natural History when I was having an off day. There’s always a whitepaper to read and some peace and quiet walking around the city.
- Skyscrapers – Tall buildings brings me some level of comfort for some reason. I think I took them for granted in many ways.
- Architecture – The walking tours (and there are walking tours everywhere) give great detail into the beauty of the old treasurers around the city.
- The skyline – I miss the view I had of this from our apartment. Beautiful bridges. Great fireworks.
- Date spots – I knew so many places to walk along the waterfronts and places to see along the way
- Broadway, Music and Comedy shows – Vinessa and I would plan a show once every 3 months. They were nice date nights and we never ran out of ideas.
- Fashion – I honestly don’t mind my hiking boots, shorts, and t-shirts, but it was cool to people-watch and notice great styles.
- Routine Saturday walks to the farmer’s market by the park – This was just a great routine to buy fresh vegetables and get Evie some outdoor fresh air around the park.
- Rooftop bars and speakeasies – We went to one every other date night just to have a very fancy cocktail and feel special. There were a lot of fun hidden gems.
- Boozy Brunch – For all other times, we had delicious boozy brunches around Brooklyn with friends. Eggs benedicts and bloody mary’s. Vinessa would get Bellini’s.
- All inclusive weekend trips with Destination Backcountry Adventures – We miss you, Dave!
- Watching hockey at the Flying Puck – Yes, I know it has closed down, but I still miss it. I’ll find a way to still watch hockey with some enthusiasts.
- Ferry rides – Not necessarily the Staten Island ferry, but the water taxis from Brooklyn to Manhattan
- Diversity – This is the outcome of opportunity. Age, race, wealth, gender, attitudes, outlooks, achievements, goals, etc — we walk together on the same streets.
- 24/7 Everything – Seriously a city that never sleeps and when I was younger, this was peak springtime of youth exploration.
- Graffiti – Rino’s graffiti is pretty great too, but it’s very different when you know the tags and spot the masterpieces.
- Street festivals – Block off a whole street and eat some turkey legs. Yes.
- Parades – NYC does love its parades. I never really liked standing in one spot, but we did know people with views of popular parade routes.
- Sound of sirens throughout the night – This is a weird one, but it gets too quiet in the suburbs. The bustling sounds of the city was a nice sound machine for my slumber.
- New Yorkers – There’s this attitude of hostility layered with compassion and friendliness that I’ve grown to love and now miss. Luckily, there are a lot of coastal transplants in the neighborhood.
~See Lemons Miss NY
