So this I say: tourism is the new terrorism.
I work in midtown Manhattan, the confluence of traffic from Times Square, Herald Square, Broadway shows, and Rockefeller Center. The height of the holiday season, I swear the city doubled in size, and I barely managed a shuffle on the sidewalk while I darted in and out of gawking visitors comparing pashmina colors and awkwardly getting amateur self-portraits from their friends in front of the M&M store. I would rather stay inside than tell them where the nearest Applebee's is.
I had to run an errand in -shudder- Times Square today, and I am disheartened to tell you the threat of tourism is alive and thriving. I'd say we're at a burnt orange risk.
But New Yorkers! Don't let them stop you from carrying on with your merry lives! Don't we have enough to deal with besides the influx of unwelcome guests? Last night you smelled maple syrup again, and this morning, you could have sworn that woman on the bus looked like she was about to faint and-ohmygod-if-she-vomits-these-are-brand-new-flats-and-even-though-they-violate-my-feet-in-10-different-ways-they-cost-me-3-days-of-meals-and-I-really-can't-deal-with-someone-ralphing-today-but-I-think-my-shoe-is-filling-up-with-blood-gotta-run, and even though you emerged unscathed, your bag was scanned for questionable particles by the NYPD en route home. Thankfully, hand sanitizer is not deemed a hazardous liquid.
Sure I've been here just shy of four months, and I realize that's nowhere near the 10-year-minimum prerequisite for obtaining legit New Yorker status, but should you dare suggest I am no different than a tourist, so help me God, I will eviscerate you.
We can't let them win.
