Ever since I was little, I always dreamed of visiting New York City. The real reason why I wanted to go to New York City was to see the once famous site of CBGBs. If you're not familiar with bands and artists such as The Ramones, Talking Heads, David Bowie, Blondie, Dead Boys, etc., you most likely do not understand the significance of this once upon a time punk venue. When I was 18, this dream became true. For my graduation present, my family, boyfriend and I traveled to the Big Apple for over a week. I must say, traveling and staying in NYC changed my life.

When the shell shock of going to NYC worn off, I was able to open up my mind to a completely different way of life. I have lived in a middle-income neighborhood all my life that revolves around a slow pace. In NYC, nothing is like that. I kinda expected it to be a fast-paced city like they all say but it is completely different when you are walking the streets of New York City yourself. When I was there, I began to understand a different way of life for those residents. Their life is quick and going a thousand miles a second. I learned that when you go to other cities and travel, you have to somewhat adapt to their lifestyle. If I was walking the streets of NYC slowly, I'm sure I would've been bumped so many times.

When we were staying at our hotel for a week, there was a sea of homeless people sleeping at corners, under bridges, just everywhere. I've never seen so many homeless people in my life. I must also say, our hotel was a block from Times Square. Every night and morning we would go out for a new adventure and be ambushed by these men and women. At one point, it began to get beyond annoying, but I learned to brush it off. When I was in NYC, I learned to be not only generous by offering these homeless people McDonald's, but to be grateful. I realized that these people can always be us at some point. We are all blessed to have a house, family, food, a college education. They all had a reason to be there and it was sad to see these people sleeping on the sidewalk with just their clothes on.

Not only did I learn to count my blessings and adapt to their New Yorker's rules, I was overwhelmed by being in the presences of the once famous CBGBs. I cannot describe my happiness at the moment I was in front of the now high-end fashion store after walking over three miles from the Empire State Building. Standing in front of that building reminded me of the countless hours of listening to my idols such as The Ramones, Blondie and David Bowie since I was born. Not only was I in the presence of the once famous punk venue but I found the Joey Ramone Street sign that made the whole trip worth it. Knowing my idols once started their careers in that tiny venue and their own street made me the happiest 18-year-old ever.

Overall, I have been blessed to travel outside of Texas and experience not only a different city, but a different world. There is nothing like taking a three-hour plane and getting immediately ambushed by a different way of life. New York City may be one of the smelliest and fast-paced cities I've ever seen, but once you explore it, the views are beautiful and the pizza is delicious.