My First Day...

WARNING! THIS ISN'T SHORT::   So, here I am. Its official. I live in NYC. How 'bout that? I hate to admit it but I came here with the preconceived notion that the people were going to be...well...frankly...rude. Let me tell you of my experiences. So I get off the plane and head to the oh-so-fun baggage claim and decided it would be a grand idea for me to get a trolly since I had so much figgin' stuff. The machine wouldn't take my money. A car driver then informed that I "never need to buy one. There are always ones around ready for me to take." I told him how great of an idea it was and his car driver friend (who, by the way, beamed of kindness and gentleness) affirmed that it was true. So I start to head off to grab one and then the driver (the first one) said, "let me go get it for you, my plane hasn't landed yet." I was completely taken aback! My bags come and he hasn't returned so I looked around for him and didn't see him. The second driver comes up to me assures me he is coming back and then returns to his post. I walked up to him and admitted my notions of the people in NYC and that neither of them fit my notion. He said, "there are some of every kind. But you're nice, you'll find nice people and God will put nice people in your path." What a soul. I was warmed by his kind words. The other driver retuned with my cart! Hooray! And he loaded my bags for me too! So I head to my cab hopped in and was on my way. The cab was on $27! I was expecting $50. I called my new roomie so she could meet me outside and show me the way. A person of small stature and build comes out of the building towards me so I wave. It wasn't her. It was a guy. Whoops. So I apologized and explained to him I thought he was someone else. He said no biggie and asked if I was going somewhere as he pointed at my mountain of things that accompanied me. I said no, that I was actually moving in. "Cool," he said and extended his hand in introduction stating that he was "James from 214." Thats great because I'm in 114, we share a ceiling/floor. We small chatted and he headed off. 3rd nice person. Victoria come out with arms wide for a hug and a big smile that was a breath of fresh air. She helped me in and I met Liz who was also quite welcoming and warm with a hug. Victoria made me cupcakes in welcome! So great, because I was starving after having not eaten for 12 hours! She also made me a grilled cheese, clutch! Nice people 3 and 4. The other two roomies made it home. Also nice 5 & 6 accompanied by Britt, who is GREAT...nice #7. The next morning I went for a walk and coffee and a croissant at Sit and Wonder and the barista was sweet. Nice person 8. Went to the grocery and stood dumbfounded at the $7 miracle whip. As I was attempting to figure that out a firefighter came up and was looking for something near me. I felt like a dummy just standing there so I made a comment about the grocery prices. He gave me great tips on saving money on groceries. Nice #9. (Lets abbrev. to n#9). Next, I needed to get to Ikea for hangers and a towel and an alarm clock (SINCE MY PHONE ONLY HAS RECEPTION STICKING OUT THE WINDOW IN THE LIVING ROOM). I wrote my stops on my hand so I didn't have to pull out a map, I have no desire of looking like a tourist. A large gentleman with tattoos and bald head sits next me. I smiled as he sat and he returned the smile. He a few minutes later asked if it was permanent as he pointed at the scribble on my hand in curious manner, not condescending. I said, "no, its my stops. I moved here last night and didn't want to look silly with a map. But don't tell anyone!" He laughed and assured me he wouldn't. We chit-chatted about his tattoos and other things. Turns out he was in the marines and stationed in Corpus a while back. Who knew!? N#10. I get out at the terminal and couldn't find the stop for my bus that was supposed to be right of the terminal. I walked circles around the building. Finally found it and waited. (It was right out of the terminal, it was just marked shuttle and not b6whatever like it was supposed to be) While waiting a man with a news camera asked me if he could ask me a few questions. I said maybe. So he told me that so-and-so was making a state of the burough speech and he was tasked with finding out what people in the burough thought. I informed him I had only been here since last night so I wouldn't be that great of a person to ask. He asked me a couple of questions about that. He was nice. N#11. After waiting a while longer I read that the shuttle only runs after three. I looked at my watch it read two. So I go to starbucks get a coffee and sit on the steps of the building on the opposite side. I looked at my watch again. 2:35. Then I realize that my watch was still set to Texas time. Dummy. I missed the bus twice. I made it back and got on the 4 o'clock shuttle. I got my items after having to figure out the two story maze that ikea was. I checked out and headed to the door where two security guards greet you to check bags and receipts. Turns out the lady didn't charge me for everything. I froze thinking I was going to get pulled in for shoplifting. I swore to him that I wen't through the line and bought the bag so I ... Him and the other guard believed me and said no biggie. And make jokes about the cashier. He took me back to get me checked out properly. He had to write what happened in a little book and was making jokes with me during the process. So was the other guy. N#12, 13. I make it home finally! My plans for the evening were to meet a friend for dinner on Canal Street. We did. She and the dinner were both great!! We trek to Lincoln Center to see the beautiful buildings and a huge line of police cars parks along a row of nice cars. We make our way a little closer so we can see what was going on. We got bold and asked the tall gentleman security guard what was going on. He told us it was just a drill. Maybe he was telling the truth :) We chatted for a while and turns out he is from Gambia (West Africa). N#14. He called over his other security guard friend so he could introduce us. He was Mike from Brooklyn, an Italian who grew up there. We all chatted a while longer. Mboob (sec. guard 1) had to leave and Mike called over his friend Zhi who's parents were from just south of Brazil. We kept chatting for a while. We absolutely bantered about where we were from and accents and other things. N#15 and 16. Chantilly and I went back to her place to see her new puppy. It was 12 and I was exhausted so it was time to head home. Two hours later!!! I made it. So sleepy. Now I sit my second day here completely dumbfounded by the caliber of niceness I have encountered. I'm glad to say that those notions were shot down %100. Now, I'm sure that I will meet people that fit the rude criteria but that will no longer define the city as a whole. I am so excited about what God is going to do while I am here and what people he has in line for me to meet. But for now, I must go! I'm meeting Alison for dinner. YUM! Sorry this was just sooo long. Take care, Pray for me and the city?!