My initial fear upon traveling to New York City for the first time was that I would encounter angry residents, shoving and sending grim snarls and facial expressions at an unknowing tourist taking up yet another few square feet of dwindling space the city has to offer. This notion of mine was fed through stories and stereotypes and was utterly false in my experience. My very first day in New York I lollygagged my way up and down 5th ave without a clue or intention of where I was heading. New Yorkers whisked by me quickly, yet politely. I at one point I was obliviously blocking the route of an older gentleman’s path and he softly reached for my attention and said in a French accent “excuse moi mademoiselle” and it was absolutely wonderful.

-Jenni Hooper 

5.8.18