Operation: See the City

Last year, even while I still hated the city, I discovered myself defending New York against two types of people--the Gossip Girls and the Hipster Boys.

Gossip Girl--She's a Blake Lively wannabe who thinks Brooklyn is for roaches and poor people. Chelsea? She would never go there! It's full of dirty hipsters. Plus, it's below 23rd Street. Gossip Girl wants to live the Upper East Side life, just like the cast of Gossip Girl (and the family she nannies for), and she refuses to see any part of New York that doesn't fit into such a picture.

Hipster Boy? He only listens to Sufjan Stevens, lives in Williamsburg, and scorns the filthy rich capitalist pigs who live in a fake Manhattan world. He doesn't believe in going uptown farther than Union Square, and thinks that the real New Yorkers are those who wear plaid shirts and have poor hygiene. Like Gossip Girl, he refuses to see any part of the city that doesn't fit into his picture.

Feeling frustrated with both my Gossip Girl and Hipster Boy friends, I resolved that I wanted to see the whole city and to see it with as few preconceived ideas as possible.

My strategy?

Systematically walking the length of every street in Manhattan. I know this isn't necessarily the way to authentically experience the city. I know it's overkill. And I know it is probably too big a project for me to finish, but I'm excited.

My rules for exploration?
• Don't be afraid to take pictures and look like a tourist.
• Look up!
• Write down the interesting places I want to visit later.
• Record sights and smells and sounds of each street
• Pray for the city as I walk.

I also like the idea of eating something on each walk. I originally thought I would eat something on each street, but that seemed like a bit much. I'd prefer not to carry extra weight over all the miles I will be walking.

Anyway, I hope to have some adventures, see some sights, and take some ground while I'm at it. Hope you enjoy the show.