The Things I Miss about Summertime in New York in 5 Senses

For those who are unaware, since South Africa is below the equator, it's winter right now.  No, it's not like brutal Rochester winters with snow and freezing temperatures.  It's been around 60 or so degrees (Fahrenheit, of course) every day so far, and it's been pretty rainy.  I've seen a few folks in several layers, some wearing hats, and PE's Site Coordinator Pumeza has been wearing a pretty stylish red peacoat, even while in the office.

It's only been a few days, but there are a few things about New York in the summer that I've already begun to miss, especially since I felt like I was prematurely plucked from it.  So I broke them all down into the 5 senses.

Photo Courtesy of Vivienne Gucwa

The Smells:
-the hot piles of garbage piled on the curb and baking in the sun

-the body odor emanating from the sweaty man's armpit that is conveniently right in front of your face as you stand on the crowded subway

-the iced coffee on everyone's breath

-the slight tinge of chlorine after jumping in the fountain at Washington Square Park or the saltiness in your hair after spending a day at Rockaway Beach

The Sounds:

-the ice cream truck's jungle on repeat

-the click-clack of Hispanic men playing dominos outside of the bodega and the beat of salsa playing in the distance

-the illegal fireworks bursting though the night sky even though it's way past the 4th of July

-the guy whose headphones are playing so loudly that you can hear what he's listening to, but it just so happens to be your favorite summer jam, so you forgive him

-the impatient honks of taxi drivers in heat

The Tastes:

-the sweetness of a refreshing Arizona Icea Tea

-dollar pizza on St. Mark's

-anything (and I mean anything) at Smorgasburg

-a crisp, cold mimosa at your favorite brunch spot

-all of the glorious fried food at the frequent street fairs

The Touch (...more like The Feeling):

-the stickiness of sweat in all your orifices

-the coldness of an air-conditioned train car (and the dankness of one that isn't), or when someone opens the door as you pass by a store, and the cold air from the inside punches you in the face

-the warm breeze as the train pulls into the station

-the condensation on your cup as you grab a drink

The Sights:

-the sun setting over the Hudson, preferably during Manhattanhenge or when the sky looks liek cotton candy

-the bare shoulders of women in maxi dresses and men in bro tanks

-a crap-ton of tourists that you want to push out of your way

-the red, white, and blue lights of the Freedom Tower twinkling from Lower Manhattan

-children playing in sprinklers, whether the real ones in the park or the makeshift fire hydrant sprinklers on the street

-the smiles on everyone's faces because, as much as it may suck sometimes, nothing beats a New York summer.