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My brother, Mark, pulled up driving the old, dirty '75 Chevy pickup. He brought our dog Scooter along for the ride. I love animals. I like them so much I'm going to college to become a veterinarian. I've grown up helping my aunt's husband, Melvin, with his cattle and uncle Leroy with farming in the summers.
"Howdy Kristin, ya ready to go?" Mark asked. He picked me up at Bethany college for Spring break. I was looking forward to break where I could go home and enjoy country life.
My brother scanned through the radio station and came to a country station. We both looked at each other and said, "neah." We have never liked country music, but have learned to listen to it because that's all our friends listened to.
"Are you excited to visit Erica tomorrow?" Mark asked.
My brother and I planned on visiting our older sister, Erica, who is living in New York City. We both had never been to a heavily populated area. Erica hated small town living and I cannot understand why. She says "There are so many musical opportunities for me in New York. If I would have attended college in Kansas, I would not be playing the flute." She is a music performer and went to the big city to earn a living by playing in an orchestra and by giving lessons. I hadn't done much traveling. I was always tied down in the summers helping Leroy maintain the crops, and I worked at a humane society earning cash to pay for college. The only time the family travels is when we visit our grandparents on Mom's side of the family in Minnesota.
"I am very excited to go to New York City and see Erica! We haven't seen her for two years."
Mark and I had thought we weren't going to fit in too well with our cowboy hats and boots. I had brought a few old summer dresses, but wasn't sure if New Yorkers wore them. On television programs, they wore fashionable, flashy, skimpy outfits.
Mark pulled into the gravel driveway of our small, but cozy home. Our home is surrounded by a fence of trees because they help block the wind and help with privacy. Mom , Dad, and the cats were waiting on the front step. "Welcome home Kristin. How were your mid-terms?" I replied with, "You don't want to know mother. I was ready to get out of Dorothy land. I wondered what Erica had planned for us. Mom and Dad decided not to come with because Dad couldn't get off from the post office and Mom is a home economic teacher and their spring break was the week before mine.
The plane ride to New York was our first. Mark was nervous for the ride. He scared me when he said, "I think I'm going to throw up." I quickly got out of my seat so he could get to the bathroom, but he laughed saying, "Just kidding." I was ready to smack him. We weren't used to the crabby, pushy people on the plane irritated because it hadn't left on time. Country life is slow and simple. It's expected to be late for an event. Coming from a small town, everyone is extremely nice, helpful, and considerate.
As we approached New York, my brother and I were astonished at all of the skyscrapers, all the people walking the streets, all the cars and traffic jams, and all the shops. "I cannot wait to check out the city and walk the streets" replied Mark. Erica immediately took us for a walk in central park to stretch out our legs. People wouldn't even look at me, smile, or say excuse me. I said to Erica, "Everyone seems like they have somewhere important to be." Then we walked to a cafe and had seafood which is common in New York. We were use to eating beef and drinking whole milk so this meal was different.
Erica took us to her small apartment. It was very noisy and not the cleanest place, but it was my sister's home. She had gotten Broadway tickets through the orchestra she plays for to see the Aida show. It was the best and first opera I ever saw. Mark even enjoyed it and he absolutely hates concerts. We spent the next day shopping. The stores were incredibly different. An employee of the store was happy to point out recommended outfits. I asked her, "Do I stick out because of my clothes?" She replied, " No, everyone wears various, crazy outfits and you get use to it; however, you have that touristy look to your face that tells you are not familiar or comfortable to New York." I bought black leather pants and a bright, rainbow, stripped shirt to fit in with the New Yorkers. I looked like a totally different person and knew I would clash with the students back at college. My brother bought a Metallica shirt and leather pants also. We then waited in line to see the over look on top of the Empire State Building. The view was gorgeous. Instead of the stars lighting up the landscape, it was the skyscrapers lighting the city. The next day we boarded a ferry to see the statue of liberty. We spent all day waiting in line to reach the top. The line of people was incredible. Mark, Erica, and I got a chance to talk. Erica remembered when she first came to the city and how over whelmed she felt. She laughed at us because we really stuck out with our awkward movements and clothing. Erica let us sleep in and took us to one of her rehearsals, and we met her friends. We later went to the clubs that night and danced. I got to have some interesting talks with some people at the dance. They were all asking me about Kansas. I didn't want to go back. I was having too much fun. I would have many stories to tell back at home. There is so much to do in New York it's unbelievable.
As Mark and I left the big city, we were somewhat happy to go back home to the slow, simple life. I still had half of my break left and planned on spending time with the family and working in the fields. New York was an experience and I learned I need to get out more.