New York: Where you cannot say, "I've seen it all, now"

I vividly remember planning my first trip to New York. I went by myself, but not without knowing someone who lived there. People constantly told me, "New York is dirty," "New Yorkers are rude," "it's crowded," "you'll see people urinating on the street," and "oh, the rats!" Well, if I believed everything that people said, I would have never made it to New York. Frankly, I'm glad I didn't believe what they said because it's just not true.

I made it to LaGuardia in the early afternoon. My friends, who I will simply call "A" and "B" picked me up. "A", at the time, was second in charge of a nice hotel at an address I will never forget, 55 and 7, which in non-New Yorker language is 55th Street and 7th Avenue. We arrived in midtown faster than I anticipated because "A" knew that the trick to getting back to midtown without getting stuck in rush-hour type traffic was to get behind an emergency services vehicle that was going on a run. Needless to say, it worked and I was now in midtown Manhattan.

I walk into the hotel and remember how nice the lobby was and not to mention the view from my room was extraordinary. I could see that famous ball that drops every New Years Eve in Times Square. I could see the only part of the city that is green, Central Park. But, I craved more. I knew I had not even begun to sink my teeth into the proverbial "Big Apple." So, I asked "A" for some advice. "A" handed me a stack of books and maps and said, "have fun." Now you are probably thinking how rude of "A" to send me out alone, but, "A" had to work and couldn't provide me with a traditional tour of the city.

As I am walking the streets of New York, not only did I notice that I can get a boost of energy with a fresh cup of Starbucks coffee on every corner, but I can tell you that New York is not dirty. In fact, I remember hearing the garbage trucks very early in the wee morning hours hauling off bags of garbage so the streets were clean by the time most New Yorkers woke up.

And New Yorkers, they are not rude. Yeah, I said it. New Yorkers are not rude, they are just busy people. If you need directions, just ask. Don't waste a New Yorker's time by explaining how you got lost and the reason you want to go to your destination; just ask how to get where you need to be or want to go and I guarantee a New Yorker will help you. I remember two New Yorkers in particular that helped me-the man selling

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