New York City

 Weather

The weather in New York City is interesting. It moves like a fluid and can surprise even those who have spent their entire lives here. As we entered New York City, the preconceived vision that I had in my mind was that it would be cold and cloudy; it meant we would see only the occasional bouts of sunshine. After having spent almost a month in a month, I can joyfully say that I have been proven wrong. The weather here during this time of the year is often hot. Temperatures are usually around 75-95 degrees Fahrenheit at their peak, while the lowest is around the 65-degree point. Having come from Gurgaon where summer temperatures regularly breach the 105-110 point, I assumed that this weather would be child's play for me. However, what I didn't consider was the fresh air. 

And so, I stumbled upon a good AQI issue. Due to the air being so clean, the rays of the sun pass through the atmosphere at a higher and more efficient rate. This leads to the beams carrying a higher intensity. Due to this, the temperature feels much more than 85 degrees as the sun is beating down upon you everywhere you go. People in the city might consider themselves lucky that there are tall buildings to block out the sun, but we intend to live in the suburbs, and I am sure the sun will be very bright over there. I have also comprehended the unpredictability of the New York climate. Just last week, the entire time there was bright sunlight, except for one particularly odd day when the clouds opened, and rain poured down in buckets. 

The other distinctive thing is that when the weather changes, it always goes to extremes. When the temperatures are high, the sun always beams down bright, making it annoying to go anywhere on foot. And when the temperatures are low, they are often accompanied by cloudy skies and the little bits of wind or rain that make the atmosphere a little chillier. I often check the temperature on my phone to make sure I am not caught unprepared. This trick has helped me a lot, as the last thing I want before going to school is to show up completely tanned as if I spent my holiday on the beach.

Attractions

 

MoMA

The Museum of Modern Arts is a masterpiece of art pieces that were created and formed around the world that depict how art has changed and evolved with the times. The museum comprises 5-6 floors and each floor depicts a different timeline. I loved the difference in times as each floor shows the evolution of art. Every floor is divided into different sections that talk about famous artists and their masterpieces that were prominent at those times.

Such was the vastness of the museum that we came to it twice as we were unable to complete the whole journey in one day. Both times I was awestruck by the variety and creativity that each artist in the museum had used. Some of the most famous and prominent artists in the museum were Vincent Van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Alvar Alto, Marina Abramovic, and the list goes on. The paintings present in the museum went far beyond those of just canvas. There were small paintings on paper, sculptures, smaller versions of monuments, and much more. There was also a section on modern inventions such as Artificial Intelligence, architectural structures, and living cities.

Intrepid

The Intrepid Air, Sea & Space Museum was one that is a must-see. Built inside an actual carrier that has seen warfare during the Second World War, the museum itself carries an ancient feel around it. Besides the carrier is an actual combat submarine, the S.S. Growler. The tour of the museum lets you see the kind of life the navy members live, and how they survive months off the coast, and it also shows the camaraderie that the members develop.

As we entered the museum, we saw the story of the carrier that we were on. We saw the various parts of the ship; how important it is that every person does their job right and the various aircraft that had flown off the ship.  I was amazed by the technology and the infrastructure that the US Navy developed to make sure that they would be undetected by radar and other instruments.

In the museum, there were other small activities that we could do. One was a flight simulator that would lock you in a box and essentially make you the pilot. Whichever way your plane went, so did the box turn. So, if you held the plane upside down, the box would be upside down. That was one of the most fun experiences that I had had touring New York. For 5-10 minutes, my sister and I clung onto the seats for our dear lives as we kept on switching pilots. Barrages of screams and shouts of joy could be heard as the plane kept on switching up and down, nosediving and such. 

The submarine is a completely different experience when compared to the carrier. While the carrier talks about the mighty strength and supreme arsenal of the US Navy, the submarine gives an entirely different picture. It displays one where over 100 people live in cramped quarters that have 4 beds stacked on top of one another. It talks about the hardships of the navy, be they mental or physical. The crew is on a constant chase to make sure that they remain undetected and complete their mission. On the other hand, they are still away from their families and their loved ones for months. It was hard to imagine the toll it takes on the family's mental well-being as they pray for months to make sure that the member comes back home safe and sound.

Jewish Museum

The Jewish Museum was one that I did not quite understand. Originally, we were never supposed to visit this particular place. The plan was to go somewhere else, but due to a mix-up between friends, we ended up visiting the Jewish Museum. The museum itself is very traditional and symbolic. Built like a mansion, the visit had multiple floors but, only one was open to the public that day. 

The museum is dedicated to all the famous artists and their creations across history. If that person is Jewish or made something that resonates with Jews, their artwork has been put up. The museum itself was very interesting to see. There were dozens of paintings lining the walls, all depicting significant events in Jewish history. Magnificent sculptures and monuments stand in the center of a room, grabbing your attention. The museum also has an old black-and-white Jewish show that teaches one the importance of family. There is also a separate room dedicated to the famous mini sculptures and ornaments of Jewish History. The scriptures and the ancient texts are carefully preserved in glass cases as they are surrounded by the rings and swords that have importance in their culture.

Spyscape

The Spyscape Museum was one of the best museums that I have been to in a long time. The museum is interactive and talks about the nuances of spying, also while describing some of the best spies in recent history. I loved the museum and all the activities that we did inside, as it took me some time to understand the relevance of spies and such in the modern world. 

As we went deeper into the museum, we found out that it also provided various activities that teach us the basic levels of spying. There were five different activities that we could participate in. Each activity covered a different aspect of spying and taught us that everything is not as it seems when you live your life as a spy. You must always be aware of your surroundings no matter where you may be, and you must make use of whatever you have in any situation you might encounter. The museum also told us about some of the most famous spies in recent history. I was particularly intrigued while reading about the US agent who sold his services to the USSR during the cold war and proceeded to spy on his home country for over 20 years while remaining undetected and above suspicion. 

 In this activity, we were shown an interview where a woman was told to recognize three suspects. We had to guess whether she was lying about them or not, and in the end, we were given a score. Having seen through people before I like to think that I can tell very quickly if someone is lying or not. I was proven right as I passed the test with flying colors, guessing all of them in under a minute.

 In this test, you are surrounded by video cameras overhead. You must tell which camera has the specific things that you are told about. Each person has a different test. The purpose of this is to teach you to notice every small detail, and I am sad to write that this is not my forte. 

 This test tests your agility and how fast your reflexes are. You are left in a room full of buttons and the lasers are switched on. The motive of the test is to see how flexible you are combined with how quickly you can move. You must hit as many buttons as you can, and at the end, your score will be calculated. I did well on this test and scored around 160 in a minute.

These were a series of eight quizzes designed to test your knowledge, problem-solving, and all the various abilities that spies use. There were riddles, personal questions, math equations, and many more. It took me much longer than the other tests, but I got a pretty good result. I was also surprised to see how many street smarts and quick thinking were required in the world of spies.

Decoding: The last test involved us in a hypothetical situation. In this, we have an ally who has been trapped in central Europe during World War II. We must send her a perfectly encoded message that will tell her how to escape and when. I was able to figure out the codes and sent out a perfect message, making sure that she was able to escape and make it back home safe and sound.

All in all, it has been a fun time touring New York. We revisited many things that both Sia and I did not remember, and I am glad that we did as I understand it better than I did 6 years ago. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Broadway shows as always, are some of the best theatrical plays you will ever watch. They must be, don't they? When the prices are as high as they are, the expectations are even higher. The greatest thing about these shows is that they do not disappoint. The prices are always worth it, as the special effects of each play are things that you should experience at least once. 

So, when my dad told us that we were going to go watch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, my mind went into overdrive. It had been almost four years since we had watched a theatre production, and that had been in India. Naturally, I was overjoyed that we were going to watch a Broadway musical. I watched in awe as the show began. Scores playing all over the place, characters hustling across the place, and props being placed in perfect formations all to show how time had passed 19 years later.

As the play went on, the jaw-dropping, extreme shrieking effects just kept on coming. The lighting effect gave so much of a dark look, and it made it seem as if we were witnessing the event live. The brilliant methods used when one character changed into another gave it such a real feeling, as one could not tell where the original character had gone. As the play went on, the effects of people flying began to come into play. I could not fathom how the characters stayed in their roles as they were hoisted above the ground by thing cables. The best part of the play was the dementors. The white flowing sleeved costumes, their random and unpredictable movements, the eerie and mysterious background music, and finally the darkening effect, all played a prominent role in making them the greatest attraction of the play. 

By the time the play had ended, Sia and I had had our minds blown. The play was a brilliant experience and should be watched by everyone who likes harry potter.

Food

The food was one of my biggest concerns coming to the USA. Having traveled around the world and tasted food from all over the globe, western food has always been an issue for me being an Indian. Food made in the western hemisphere is often considered bland and tasteless. Having eaten food outside every day for a month I am very sad to tell you that the myth is indeed true. Food in the USA is so bland that even hot sauce cannot make it spicy. 

Fortunately, the number of Indians in the US has grown exponentially, making sure that every restaurant is prepared with various bottles of hot sauce in worst-case scenarios. It has been an interesting journey, trying to find good places to eat here. 9 out of 10 restaurants serve meat as their staple diet, which makes it extremely hard for vegetarians like us to find food to eat that is not a salad.

However, the growing fad of veganism has provided us comfort, as we have gone and found good vegan restaurants that serve Sia's favorites, Sushi and Dumplings. We have found good restaurants such as:

 Undoubtedly Sia's highlight in this month-long stay of ours, this restaurant serves sushi, dumplings, bao, and many more East Asian items. It is a vegan restaurant and we have visited this place 5-6 times now, even taking guests there to eat.

 This was one of our go-to places before an incident happened. The Italian food in the restaurant is brilliant, though the branch further from us is better than the other one next to our hotel. In our first week here, we had lunch in this restaurant a couple of times, and it has never failed to taste good.

 As suggested in the name, the restaurant serves Thai food. It has been a godsend, as every time we have been tired and unwilling to go out and eat, we have ordered from here. The menu consists of noodles and rice meals, and those are perfect for everyone as Mama is gluten-free.

House Hunting

This is something that I have never done in my life. Sure, we went to see a few houses when we were shifting into World Spa, but I do not remember seeing more than a couple. It was mainly Mama and Papa who made that decision, so this was a completely new experience for me. For the first week, we visited over 7-8 different houses, be they cities or suburbs. 

You get to spend time looking at neighborhoods, mooning over the woodwork, marveling about counter space, and dreaming of days spent on porches. The thrill of the hunt can also be nerve-wracking, disappointing, and take way longer than feels fair. If you let your emotions lead, you can waste time and energy looking at places that won't work for your lifestyle, budget, or family size. It wasn't easy, as different friends had differing views. Some of them told Papa to stay in New York City, while others told him to move to the suburbs. However, as a family, I think most of us wanted to stay in the suburbs. I was personally leaning toward that as houses in the city are pretty small. Having come from Gurgaon, where even normal houses are over 3000 sqft, it was tough to imagine us leaving in a cramped 3-bedroom apartment in the heart of the city. 

I was ecstatic when we finally got the house of our choice as it meant that we would be moving away from the small room in our hotel. That was not the case, and we finally move towards the suburbs on 5th July (i.e. tomorrow).

Public Transport

The usage of public transport has been a completely new journey for me. Growing up in Gurgaon, my parents didn't deem it safe for me to use the metro or the bus. We used to have a driver and he drove me around everywhere, no matter where I went. Even as a family when we used to step out, we never used transport, partly because we owned a car and partly because my parents were scared about our safety. 

Here, for most of our travels that are over a mile away, we have used public transport. Subways, Buses, and trains have become part of our daily routine, and it is also more viable. Sure, they will not always drop you off right where you need to go, but it is cheaper, and you understand how the average city-goer travels daily. As a city, New York feels much safer than Gurgaon in the daytime and that is no small part due to the amount of money invested in making sure that the public facilities are well-developed and maintained.

The other major transport that we have used to get around the city is our feet. Here pedestrian paths and crossings are there everywhere you go, which makes it easier and safer for us to wander the streets. This is in stark contrast to Gurgaon, where I remember not being allowed to walk to close-by markets because I had to cross the main road to get there. Here, on the other hand, my mother trusts me and the city to make sure that nothing wrong will happen here. Just last week I walked over 1 kilometer to go and do the laundry on my own as my sister had fallen sick. It has given me a new sense of freedom, as I now know that I can wander around the city without my mom getting worried. People here are also more comfortable leaving their kids and letting them do things on their own during the day. 

However, one demoralizing piece of advice that I have constantly heard is that we should avoid public transport after sundown at all costs. Even the lady who cleans our room told us about it. The subways are left alone and always unmanned. During daylight, there is no issue as everyone can see what's going on. However, at nighttime public transport, especially subways can become scary. This is why, all my parents' friends have told them that it's best to take an Uber after sundown, no matter how much it costs.

Meeting Friends

This is arguably the strangest part of beginning a new life. At first, I had a lot of apprehensions about moving here, with the biggest being that we barely know anybody. My parents had never really talked about their friends in the USA, and I assumed that they would not know anyone. After staying here, however, I am very glad to have been proven wrong. In this one month, we have gone and visited various friends of both my parents. Whether it be college friends, old colleagues, or even BCG partners, my parents have a wide range of contacts, in and around the city.

Meeting all of them has been a fun, and possibly insightful experience because I can see the changes in all their kids after having lived here for a couple of years. Papa has a couple of friends in the city that we have gone to meet. Having come from a city where houses are generally huge, it is eye-opening to see how the families here live in relatively small apartments. 

Papa also has some friends that live close to the house we rented, and Sia seems to have become good friends with their daughter Myra. The fact that Sia has found a friend is something I am very thankful for. At least now she will not spend her time disturbing and annoying me. It was also very helpful as some of them are around my age. This meant I was able to interact and bond with them over any similar interests that we might share.

Meeting with them and interacting with them was comforting in a sense. I knew then that if something drastic did happen or we needed some help, Mom and Dad had trustworthy people here who would help them sort everything out.

All in all, it has been an entertaining one month in the city that never sleeps. We have explored new lands, and eaten new foods, but that strong Indian upbringing has stayed, and I hope it stays for a long time. Everyone talks about New York being this great city, and it is, but after a point, it weighs down on you. There is only so much sightseeing that you can do, and I think we have done enough. We have been living in a cramped room with barely any space to roam for about a month now, eating outside every day. I personally have had enough of this tourist lifestyle. This is why I am very grateful that we are now shifting to a hotel that is closer to home. It's time for us to begin the new journey of our life, rather than spend time as tourists here.