We're not in Fuquay-Varina anymore!

We’re off on vacation for a few days. We left at 6 a.m. to drive the eight hours to New York City. Leaving at the crack of dawn has its advantages when you have teenagers. They sleep-walked to the car and then pretty much slept until New Jersey. The plethora of electronics we packed kept them busy for the rest of the trip. Once we got into New York City, it was pretty clear that we were a LONG way from Fuquay-Varina. Here were some of the clues:

1. No grits at the Carnegie Deli. Cheese blintzes? Yes. Bialys? Absolutely. Matzo Brie? You bet. It reminded us that one of the things Fuquay-Varina lacks is a Jewish deli!

2. Breakfast for two (scrambled eggs,two bagels, cheese blintzes, coffee, orange juice and cranberry juice) cost $45…not including a tip for our mildly unpleasant, ancient waitress. Fuquay doesn’t need THAT Jewish deli…maybe a deeply discounted, friendlier version!

3. We don’t speak car horn. In Fuquay, if you hear a horn, you immediately look up and wave because it means one of your friends is driving by. In New York beeping is a highly-developed language. We’ve seen it used to express, “The light turned green half a millisecond ago and you haven’t moved!!!” and “You are still in the cross-walk and the light has turned green. Get out of my way!” They have the quick friendly beep just to let you know they are there and the angry honk to let you know that you are a complete idiot.

4. A request for sweet tea is met with a blank look and a “Huh?” from our waitress.

5. Our subway ride to Yankee Stadium got us up-close and way-too-personal with more people than we see in a month back home.

6. New York has more taxis than pick-up trucks!

7. The cost of one tank of gas for my minivan would buy a one-month subway pass. Sounds like a pretty good deal, huh?

8. Every Broadway musical you could possibly want to see was a quick walk from our hotel. Legally Blonde was right next door. We saw Chicago a couple blocks away.

9. My husband and son went to see Chicago against their will and their better judgment. And I’ve never managed to drag them to any shows in Raleigh. Despite their objections, the next day I heard my son singing “Razzle Dazzle” under his breath.

10. Where else can you get an apple at a street-side grocery store for a mere $1.99?

Yes, it’s expensive. Some of the people lack the Southern hospitality to which we are accustomed. You may have to add your own sugar to your iced tea. But I knew the trip was worth it when I saw my daughter lighting a candle with reverence at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and when my son kept incredulously repeating, “I’m in Yankee Stadium!” throughout the baseball game. Oh…and watching my husband negotiate the craziness that is driving in New York City gave me a new appreciation for his killer instinct!

Diane appears every Saturday on TriangleMom2Mom. Read more about Di at her blog Live and Let Di.