Well, Hello New York

 The Gayla Pink Apple

 

Hello New York 

Manhattan Move In 

 

Blair and I made it to New York and arrived safely to the Manhattan flat.  Interesting, to say the least.  The lady who owns or rents the flat  is a very sweet and lovely lady - she grew up in England - so you can imagine her accent.  Seems she is a British chaplain, so we've been told. Blair met her in person a couple weeks ago and found her delightful.  The place less than desirable but doable - afterall - this is New York!

 

The search for an apartment was a huge challenge in itself.  We spent 24/7 for weeks and weeks searching and searching - networking - calling - checking craigslist - sublet.com - etc.   We were subject to scam after scam.  I'll share one experience.  Basically, the guy gave us an address and told us to drive by to see the exterior of the apartment and then he would send us pictures of the interior.  We map googled the address and saw the apartment was above a business.  I called the business and chatted with the employee who confirmed there was indeed an apartment above.  The landlord  then wanted an application form and deposit - of course, he was out of the country on business - so this had to be done via email.  After back and forth with him, we asked to make an appointment to view the apartment and we would bring the application form and deposit with us.  He replied with explanation of his travel and how many others were wanting the apartment - time was critical so we needed to get the application form and deposit submitted immediately or were subject to losing the apartment.  We told him we would not go any further until we viewed the apartment.  That was the end of the communication with that one.

 

We posted on sublet.com and when you do that you include a brief description of what you're looking for and a couple sentences about you as a tenant.  We posted something like "short term lease (6 month max) moving from Boston and doing grad work at NYU - neat - organized - non smoker and not a party girl."  A realtor - repeat a realtor - aren't they considered professionals?  Anyway, a realtor replied by email with "one year lease Party Girl"    My reply:  "Thank you asshole"    Realtor replied:  "no need for the potty mouth"     My reply: "You're correct but no need for your sarcastic comment either"   Realtor:  "Peace."  Interesting to me that a professional thought it was necessary to reply to that.  Perhaps I was a little too bold, but, then again, maybe not.  There are many more stories to share, but think I've made my point.  Blair took the bus into New York on several occasions to see apartments - rather rooms in aptartments and to meet the potential landlords. 

 
So, we arrive and are informed by this lovely British lady that I cannot stay in the room with Blair - although the bed is big enough and the room is fairly large - because that would be too many in the bathroom!  She tells me she has a friend down the street who has agreed to let me stay with her.  I admit I immediately thought this nice lady wasn't so nice afterall.  I'm thinking, ok, what she wants is more money, right?  However, if that were the case I think she would have had no problem telling me she needed me to pay more.  So, I have no choice to believe that my showering there for a few weeks would be too many using the bath.  I do not know how many people are staying in the apt.  However, she tells us she has friends from Texas in for the weekend (hmmmm - I'm thinking, well, isn't that too many in the bathroom?)  The place is so dark you can't see to walk down the hallway.  The place is a pig sty and we are frankly shocked at the condition that these people are living.  But, this is New York! right?  Yes, of course, this is just New York!!!!!!! 

Blair and I take a walk around the neighborhood - we actually like the area. While eating lunch this "lovely British lady" texts me and gives me her friend's address.  She adds a comment in the text that normally she would have no problem with my staying but her landlord is being difficult.  I'm thinking hmmmm, ok, well, which is it - too many in the bath or your landlord.  I don't think it's either, I think she wants more money and expects me to say I'll compensate you for the difficulty I may cause.  But, I'm not going to do that!  A couple weeks ago when Blair met this lovely British lady (ha) and told her I would be with her the "lovely British lady" didn't seem to mind at all.  But, upon arrival she has the courage to smile to my face and call me "love" and put me on the street.  Oh wait, no, she didn't put me on the street, she found me a room down the street.  So, she is a 'lovely lady' afterall! 

Actually, she is indeed a lovely lady to many just not to me - not right now anyway.  So we go meet the lady down the street.  I do not have the strength to explain the details except to say Blair and I are both staying for now with the 'lovely British lady's friend down the street."  And moved all of our things.  Whew, I am so glad that I won't be causing the lovely British chaplain difficulty with her landlord and am really very glad I won't be causing a traffic jam in the bathroom of her pig sty - oh I mean her huge Manhattan flat!

Just when I thought things could not get worse, THEY DID!  So, our first day in New York is exactly what I think of New York!  The pitts!  I hate this place and cannot for the life of me see how anyone would want to live here.  For now, we do not having housing - just a place for a couple weeks while we search frantically for a place to put our stuff! 

Oh, this lovely British lady / chaplain!  Wonder if God told her to kick us in the teeth upon arrival to her nasty pee smelling abode and smile to my face, call me love, invite me to dinner?  Well, I don't know about you but my God doesn't tell me to do that to anyone.  But, I'm pretty sure she prayed for us last night as we left her with her lovely smile and without my money. 

Praying "MY GOD" gives me strength to survive! 

 

Excitement with Tad Bit of Anxiety,

Gayla

P.S.  I took pictures of this fabulous Manhattan flat but considering this is a public blog think smart not to post them.