Back to Feed
Long Read

New York City: My Brain Feels Like a Pigeon Coop

@Olivia Dawn3/9/2026blog
New York City: My Brain Feels Like a Pigeon Coop

okay, so. new york. right? everyone’s been there, everyone’s got an opinion. mine’s currently a jumble of hot dogs, flashing lights, and the faint scent of something vaguely floral battling with exhaust fumes. i just checked and it’s drizzling a bit, like the sky’s having a quiet cry - hope you like that kind of thing. sixteen point five degrees, feels like fifteen. perfect weather for wandering aimlessly, which, let’s be honest, is my specialty.


I’m a touring session drummer, which means my life is a constant cycle of airports, questionable hotel breakfasts, and trying to remember which city I’m actually in half the time. this trip was supposed to be a quick layover, a chance to grab a decent slice of pizza and maybe see a show. it rapidly devolved into… well, this. a frantic, slightly panicked exploration of a concrete jungle.

a city street at dusk with a traffic light


I spent a ridiculous amount of time in Greenwich Village. just… wandering. stumbled into this tiny record store, “Vinyl Vortex” (check them out on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/vinyl-vortex-new-york), and nearly bought every single jazz album they had. thankfully, my bank account intervened. overheard a couple arguing about whether Miles Davis was “too cool for school.” classic.

“Someone told me, and I’m paraphrasing because I was already three coffees deep, that the best bagels in the city are at Ess-a-Bagel. Apparently, the line is insane, but it’s worth it. Don’t even think about getting anything else.”


I did not get a bagel. I was too busy trying to navigate the subway. seriously, the subway. it’s a whole ecosystem down there. a fascinating, slightly terrifying ecosystem. I almost missed my train because I was staring at a guy playing a saxophone made entirely of duct tape.

black and white one way road sign


I tried to be all touristy, you know? Went to Times Square (overwhelming), walked across the Brooklyn Bridge (windy), and briefly considered visiting the Statue of Liberty (too much effort). I did find a really cool street art mural in Bushwick, though. seriously, the art scene there is incredible. you can find some local artists on this board: https://bushwickcollective.com/.

“A drunk guy at a bar told me that if you want to see the real New York, you gotta go to the Bronx. Apparently, it’s got a vibe that the tourists completely miss.”


I didn’t make it to the Bronx. I was too busy trying to find a decent cup of coffee. which, let’s be real, is a full-time job in this city. I ended up at this place called “The Daily Grind” (TripAdvisor reviews are… mixed: [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60762-d1234567-Reviews-The_Daily_Grind-New_York_City_New_York.html]). it was… fine. I’ve had better. but it was caffeine, and that’s what mattered.

If you get bored, Philadelphia and Newark are just a short drive away. I’m not saying you should go, but they’re options.

red convertible parked on parking lot during daytime


Okay, quick pro-tips for anyone else braving this concrete beast:

Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable. Seriously. your feet will hate you.
 *Download a subway map. Don't even think about trying to navigate without one.
 *Be prepared to be bumped into. A lot.
 *Don't make eye contact. Unless you want to be cornered into a lengthy conversation about the merits of different pizza toppings.
 *Carry cash. Some places still don’t take cards.
 *Embrace the chaos.* It’s part of the charm (or insanity, depending on your perspective).

I’m heading back to the airport now. my brain feels like a pigeon coop, but it was a pretty good pigeon coop. I’m already thinking about when I can come back. maybe next time I’ll actually get that bagel. and maybe I’ll learn how to navigate the subway without looking like a complete lost soul. maybe.

You might also be interested in:

About the author: Olivia Dawn

Writing with intent and a dash of humor.

Loading discussion...