It's a sobering experience. Don't think my unexpected affinity for New York was total, however. My biggest gripe about it is that it stinks to high heaven, literally. Whoever plotted the city forgot that most essential element of civilized society, the alley. Mountains of ripe garbage block the sidewalks, leaking disgusting slime and causing an infernal stench.
Street people tear the bags open and scatter debris to hell and back.
It's a serious problem, not to mention a health hazard and a pox on tourism, which I'm surprised New Yorkers haven't yet solved. Much as I liked New York, I was never so glad to see the clean air and wide open spaces of home.