I was born and raised in Rochester, NY (about an hour below Canada) and spent 18 years there until leaving for college on Long Island. While it's teeechnically in the same state, sometimes it feels like an entirely different country. Nothing makes this more apparent than when it's time to go back Upstate for the holidays. Despite it only being my third year here, I feel like I've been given honorary Long Islander rights. Here are some of the things I miss the most when I leave one home for another.
1. The way y'all pronounce words
Nothing makes me happier than hearing someone say the word "Cawfee" or "Dawg." It's a whole lot prettier than the flat, nasally way we say things Upstate.
2. Bagels, duh
I think I'd get kicked off the island for not mentioning this early on. Up where I'm from, you get a bagel from a Dunkin (or Tim Hortons!) or a Brueggers. And that's just shameful to the name of bagels themselves.
3. I love snow, but driving in it is a no from me
I'm not nearly a good enough driver for icy streets and snowy turns. It snows on Long Island, sure, but it's nothing like Upstate.
4. There's a Trader Joe's like riiight there
Listen, I'm a Wegmans girl until I die, just like any native Upstater, but Trader Joe's is really, really cool. And they're few and far between up there.
5. The sounds
Cars on the street, sirens, so much out there in this big, beautiful world.
6. The lights
It's good to know there's so much life going on around me all the time.
7. You're never really alone because there are people eeeverywhere
It's so comforting.
8. Everyone is always in a rush and it's invigorating
I know people complain about this, and yes, the people Upstate are more conventionally polite and take the time to say things like "I'm sorry," and "Thank you," but the hustle and bustle of New Yorkers makes me feel alive.
9. I can get from a Target to a Taco Bell in like six minutes
I don't even live in the most rural part of Upstate but it still takes a hot minute to get from one necessity to the other.
10. Most importantly, the people
I don't know if it's related to the location or if I just got lucky, but there's no one in the world like the people I've met since moving here.
