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Spring is in the air just about everywhere but perhaps the most spring is at its springiest in New York City. Why is New York City so springy? Let us consider.
There are many signs that will tell you that it’s spring in New York City but perhaps the most obvious one is the scent. The absence of an odor made a long Winter easier to handle in The City. Spring is different. You step out the door onto to the city street and you will be struck by an invisible army, a scent so strong I believe they base smelling salts on this exact scent. Many experts have debated what makes New York City so, um, distinct. Some have posited it’s the proximity to the sewer system while others claim it’s the residents themselves. The most widely accepted claim is the odor that continues to impress locals and tourists alike is the trash. Frozen trash didn’t smell quite so pungent in the winter, but the thaw of spring brings an odor so strong you will wonder, in an existential way: why you are here.
The odor of spring is not limited to surface streets. Anyone who partakes of the public transportation will tell you that most smells you know and, um, know some more are available year-round on the subway. The truth is the most memorable smell from the subway is urine. Yes, there’s the occasional hint of urine at street level but for consistency, you’ll find it unparalleled on public transportation. Locals debate whether it’s stronger on trains heading uptown or downtown, out to the boroughs or into the city. I know enough to stay out of that debate, and I will only say there is plenty to go around.
Speaking of New York “transportation”. I recently spent a handful of days in The City and by my math on this cocktail napkin, it looks like one full day was spent sitting in traffic. It doesn’t matter if I was coming or going, during rush hour or off-peak hours, taking a car somewhere, anywhere might look to an outsider a lot like a parking lot.
Another thing you might notice during a New York City spring is construction. Judging by sound alone, NYC has the most jack hammers per capita in all the land. According to this cocktail napkin, for every one City folk, there are, for some reason, two jack hammers. On a not unrelated note, New York City is also known as The City that never sleeps. Speaking of per capita, here’s a fun fact: New York City has more people per capita than anywhere else! Wowzers!
Among the springiest of all springy things in New York are the New Yorkers themselves! New York would be a very different city without them. Believe me; I’ve imagined it many times. Some say New Yorkers are urbane and sophisticated; others say they’re mouth breathers. I suppose they might be both, depending on the seasonal scent. On the one hand, it’s a diverse population, with perhaps every nation on the planet represented here. On the other, The City is just Haves and Have Nots.
Finally, they say: if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. But I’d like to see a New Yorker, just for a night, try camping. Or on a farm. Or in the suburbs. Or any place that is not New York City. No, no. New York requires a specific set of skills, big city skills (not buying imitation luxury handbags, etc.) that don’t really translate to anywhere else in your life. The saying should be: if you can make it here, you can make it here.
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