1. You stayed in Jazz on the Park on your first night
Or Hostelling International on Amsterdam Avenue, or somewhere similar. You slept with your passport under your pillow and one foot on your suitcase.
2. You went over with at least two addresses and phone numbers of relatives in Woodside, Woodlawn or similar
“Now, make sure and go and see Uncle Jimmy. He’s expecting you for the bit of Sunday dinner”.
3. You either bravely stayed in the city…
Washington Heights, Harlem, or out to Queens or Brooklyn. Your dreams of a lower East Side Carrie Bradshaw-style gaff were soon dashed. Seven of you in a two bed apartment with dodgy AC and no couch more like.
Delighted to find a bed abandoned on the street, and proudly moved it into your apartment.
4. Or headed out to Long Island to Montauk and the Hamptons to hoover up those summer jobs
5. You queued in Harlem or Wall Street for your Social Security number
Nothing happens without that Social Security number.
6. And cursed yourself for coming before your 21st birthday
No amount of Irish charm was getting you into those bars without a fake ID.
7. Woodlawn and Woodside were your only man when the Brennan’s bread and Denny sausages cravings got too much
8. The Long Island Railroad took you to the beach
“Jamaica. SYYYYYYosset..”
9. You knew at least three people over on GAA summer sanctions
10. You spent a fortune on a ticket for Yankee Stadium
And realised when you got there that there’s a reason why you’re not into baseball. Why do they keep stopping? And sweeping?
11. You got to August and realised you hadn’t seen any of the sights
“I must get to the Empire State Building one of these days”
12. But had no money so just took the Staten Island Ferry instead
Hey, it’s free! And you get a great view of the Statue of Liberty.
