New York City: Surviving on Instant Noodles and Street Art Vibes
okay, so. new york. right? everyone’s got an opinion. i’m just…here. trying to not get run over by yellow cabs and find a decent cup of coffee that doesn’t cost more than my rent. i just checked and it’s drizzling a persistent, melancholic kind of rain - the kind that soaks you to the bone without you even realizing it. perfect for wandering, honestly.
I’m a street artist, mostly. murals, tags, whatever pays the bills (which, let’s be real, isn’t much). this trip was supposed to be about scouting locations, finding inspiration, maybe even collaborating with someone. it’s mostly been about dodging pigeons and trying to figure out the subway system. seriously, it’s a labyrinth designed by a sadist.
I’ve been crashing on a friend’s couch in *Bushwick. it’s…an experience. the walls are thin, the neighbors blast reggaeton at 3 am, and there’s a constant smell of something vaguely industrial. but hey, it’s cheap. and the art scene is wild. I spent yesterday afternoon watching a guy spray-paint a portrait of a pigeon onto a dumpster. peak new york, right there.
“Don’t even think about trying to find parking. Just don’t. You’ll end up paying more for a tow truck than you would for a studio apartment.”
Speaking of which, someone told me that the rent in Manhattan is still insane. like, offensively insane. i’m sticking to Brooklyn for now. it’s got more character, anyway. and the pizza is better. seriously, the pizza. i’ve been living on it. and instant noodles. don’t judge.
I spent a few hours wandering around Greenwich Village today. it’s…quaint. in a very aggressively curated way. all brownstones and overpriced cafes. I overheard a couple arguing about which artisanal coffee bean was ethically sourced enough. it was…a lot. I needed a strong drink after that.
I’m trying to find some good walls to paint. something with a bit of grit, you know? not just another generic “love” mural. i’m thinking something about the city’s history, maybe. or the absurdity of it all. i’m open to suggestions. check out some local art forums for ideas: https://www.nycgo.com/arts-culture/.
“If you’re looking for a good time, head over to the Lower East Side. But watch your wallet. And your back.”
I also stumbled upon this amazing vintage shop in the East Village. seriously, the finds were incredible. I almost bought a sequined jumpsuit from the 70s. almost. my bank account wept. you can find similar gems on https://www.etsy.com/.
I heard that Philadelphia and Newark* are just a short train ride away if you need a break from the chaos. i might take a day trip soon. need to clear my head. and maybe find some cheaper noodles.
Honestly, new york is exhausting. but it’s also…magnetic. there’s a weird energy here, a sense of possibility. even when you’re broke and covered in pigeon droppings. i’m checking out some local events on https://www.timeout.com/newyork/ to see what’s happening.
Oh, and a local warned me about the rats. apparently, they’re…substantial. so, yeah. be careful where you step. check out yelp for some restaurant reviews: https://www.yelp.com/.
if you’re ever in the area, hit me up. i’ll probably be huddled in a corner, sketching in a notebook, desperately trying to avoid eye contact with the pigeons.
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