Seeing Empty

Last summer I heard rumors but didn't quite feel it, this mass exodus from the Upper West Side more glamorous destinations. In our hurry to settle in to the new surroundings we never noticed that steady increase in strollers and puppies filling our sidewalks (and fueling the anger of the always angry taxi drivers in the streets as well) as the summer neared it's end.

Yesterday I wasn't the only person shocked by the noticeable difference in foot traffic. For most of a block the lady just in front of me complained far too loudly into her cell phone that New York seemed desolate to her. For now I am going to write the empty streets down to a three day weekend and people heading home for vacation, but I am starting to think there may be something to the theory of Uptowner's fleeing to the Hamptoms for the summer. Or to Connecticut, or upstate, or any one of a host of summer options with less tourist or less heat or whatever else pisses you off daily in the streets of the city.

Of course the lucky few of us who remained for the long weekend are left enjoying our window views, currently displaying large amounts of rain with ominous looking clouds on the horizon. Living in Texas I never paid quite as much attention to weather as here. If it was hot or rainy or ominous look, well it was only those things from the distance of my apartment to my car or my car to the restaurant. Yet here when it rains the subways bubble with people and water, both jostling for the little amounts of space that remain free. And while I love living without the money sucking environment killing car, each day as I enter the office my clothes are more and more sweat filled.

For now I'll be happy to enjoy the temporary lack of jostling as I get on the 1 train. Once my money does come in I'll be looking for good summer homes with the rest of you.