When I was a girl I used to dream of living in New York City. I fantasized about living in a high rise with a doorman and a view of Central Park. Frankly, I never dreamed that I would live in Paris instead - New York was enough of a stretch for me.
I just arrived back from 9 days working in New York with a quick trip to Boston thrown in. I have worked in New York before. Once when I was a new accountant at Peat Marwick I was sent to review loan files in a dreary New York bank office. Much more recently I attended several Collection showings for the clothing line I was selling. This time I was developing business, making contacts and shepherding a group of MBA students from one company presentation to the next.
I wonder what I will be the next time I work in New York?
I have to say one thing that is pretty obvious - New York is LOUD. You would think that coming from the center of Paris I would be used to loud, but New York- style loud out-shouts Paris by a long shot. It also is expeeeeeeeeensive. For lunch one day I ordered a small bowl of risotto, a bread plate size portion of salad and a diet coke - actually 2 diet cokes - they charged for refills - for the bargain price of $37 including tax and tip. I am not kidding. Can you say rip off?
Makes Paris prices actually seem reasonable - which is a stretch. For once the painful exchange rate between the euro and the dollar worked in my favor - actually the company's favor - expense account you know.
I met a bunch of New York bankers - in spite of all the bad press - a really nice group of guys. At least they are nice while they are collecting their obscene bonuses.
With the price of lunch - no wonder.
Well my girlhood dream of living the New York city life morphed into my adulthood dream of Paris. Shows that all good things come to those who wait.
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