I cannot believe it, but I have been here almost 3 months now. New York still doesn't cease to amaze me though. I think I will be able to explore for the next years to come and still feel like a tourist after many more months. I can only recommend the most touristy thing I did this weekend - get on a hop-on, hop-off bus. Against all odds my neighbor on the bus was actually born and bred in Long Island :-) It really is interesting to hear about the different boroughs and neighborhoods in the city and how much rents are. One thing that I really liked was the observation in the Lower Eastside that people are now building houses on top of houses as they have run out of space on the ground - have a look at you will see a few of those constructions... Reminded me of Karlsson vom Dach ;-)
But certain things are becoming more and more common for me - like the constant elevator rides and the small talk in the elevator... Almost feel like I will miss that during the next week in London. People are just friendly without any intention of being superficial (something that Germans often tend to think) and people like volunteering. I went to my first New York cares event today and I have to say it was great fun. It was amazing to see that the bookstore/thrift store that we were helping set up their annual book fair was almost entirely run by volunteers. All united by a great spirit of social entrepreneurship with all books/CDs/DVDs/clothes etc donated and sold for helping those affected by HIV/Aids... I feel like people here tend to be self-reliant but by no means selfish - there were a lot of really young college kids volunteering as well - more than I would have expected. And when I told my flatmate about it - she was all ears and wants to join next time. So it really isn't very unusual here to give back to your community.
On the other hand I am struggling with the healthcare system - in spite of having a great healthcare plan I just found out today that I would have to pay at least 350 USD if I were to be taken to an emergency room (btw something they never mentioned on Grey's Anatomy although I have really watched all episodes and not only once- they did mention the clinic for people without insurance but never the high deductible and the co-share you have to pick up). I wonder how this is logical- it is actually cheaper to go see a regular doctor - your insurance will cover almost all of that. So if you are really ill, they will milk you - ok, lesson learnt will just try not to get sick in the US.
Another issue I am struggling with is the obesity problem that this country is facing. Now the mayor of NYC even suggested outlawing maxi-sized sugar-drinks - nice idea, but why not lower prices on healthy foods? It seems there is a real divide between those who can afford to buy at Wholefoods, eco-stores etc. and those who will have to go for McDonald's or Wendy's. I have never seen vegetables at a market as expensive as in Union Square or at the TriBeCa market - I keep on telling German friends, actually eating out is not significantly more expensive than buying good food in the supermarket (unless you go to Trader Joe's but I have blogged about that already)... I guess it still depends where you eat out- but to me that just seems strange. Anyway, so what do those who can afford to go to Wholefoods do? They feel guilty and start feeding the hungry in a soup kitchen in the Lower Eastside....
But certain things are becoming more and more common for me - like the constant elevator rides and the small talk in the elevator... Almost feel like I will miss that during the next week in London. People are just friendly without any intention of being superficial (something that Germans often tend to think) and people like volunteering. I went to my first New York cares event today and I have to say it was great fun. It was amazing to see that the bookstore/thrift store that we were helping set up their annual book fair was almost entirely run by volunteers. All united by a great spirit of social entrepreneurship with all books/CDs/DVDs/clothes etc donated and sold for helping those affected by HIV/Aids... I feel like people here tend to be self-reliant but by no means selfish - there were a lot of really young college kids volunteering as well - more than I would have expected. And when I told my flatmate about it - she was all ears and wants to join next time. So it really isn't very unusual here to give back to your community.
On the other hand I am struggling with the healthcare system - in spite of having a great healthcare plan I just found out today that I would have to pay at least 350 USD if I were to be taken to an emergency room (btw something they never mentioned on Grey's Anatomy although I have really watched all episodes and not only once- they did mention the clinic for people without insurance but never the high deductible and the co-share you have to pick up). I wonder how this is logical- it is actually cheaper to go see a regular doctor - your insurance will cover almost all of that. So if you are really ill, they will milk you - ok, lesson learnt will just try not to get sick in the US.
Another issue I am struggling with is the obesity problem that this country is facing. Now the mayor of NYC even suggested outlawing maxi-sized sugar-drinks - nice idea, but why not lower prices on healthy foods? It seems there is a real divide between those who can afford to buy at Wholefoods, eco-stores etc. and those who will have to go for McDonald's or Wendy's. I have never seen vegetables at a market as expensive as in Union Square or at the TriBeCa market - I keep on telling German friends, actually eating out is not significantly more expensive than buying good food in the supermarket (unless you go to Trader Joe's but I have blogged about that already)... I guess it still depends where you eat out- but to me that just seems strange. Anyway, so what do those who can afford to go to Wholefoods do? They feel guilty and start feeding the hungry in a soup kitchen in the Lower Eastside....
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