Things I Am Going To Miss

I am leaving in just over a week. Ahh! Naturally, I've started thinking about those things I am going to miss, and those I will not. I'm not going to bore you with the obvious: I'm going to miss my friends and my boyfriend. Duh.

But these, in no particular order, are some uniquely NYC things I will miss. Please excuse the trite phrasing. It is Friday night and I have had beer.

• Bagel Express
• Those chance subway encounters that make the whole day better. (A few months ago, a ventriloquist had the entire car laughing.)
• Central Park
• The Rockaways
• The deli where they know my order
• My favorite workday breakfast, which is only available at the other deli
• Harlem
• My smoothie places
• The Strand
• My students
• Having two cell phones, and this being totally normal
• Walking really fast
• Stores and restaurants that are open 24/7
• Delivery.  OMG SEAMLESS!
• Talking books with strangers on the subway
• Magical bus routes that go everywhere I need them (M116!)
• Talking fast
• Hearing lots of languages on any given day and getting to practice my languages by eavesdropping and/or asking tourists where they're from
• Hailing a cab
• Hearing people on the street at all hours of the night
• Long walks through different neighborhoods
• The ability to go to lots of literary and cultural events
• Delicious dinner for two for $7 at Vanessa's

There are so many more, but this list is too long already. Also, I'm really proud of myself for restraining from ending with a point about missing the best city in the world. New York's wonderful, but I'm ready for a break from all the noise, chaos and smells. (Note to self: Get a white-noise sound machine that sounds like people yelling.)