Hello Kitty scoped me out and pounced on me in Times Square yesterday, and it kind of creeped me out. Some people have a fear of clowns (coulrophobia); I don’t fear people in character costumes, but it’s tough to figure out what to do when accosted by one, and lately Times Square has a ton of them.
The main drag of the most recognized city landmark in the world has been closed off to traffic, and it has become populated by tables for al fresco snacking, prime spots for photo ops, and every possible character in costume you can name. I saw Buzz Lightyear, Mickey and Minnie, Spiderman and SpongeBob Squarepants. The characters pose for pictures with tourists, but I’m really not that type of visitor. I go to New York a few times a year to check out a show or opera. That’s it.
But Hello Kitty was sure I was the big catch of the day.
I told the truth: I was on my way to an appointment (with a nice seat in Lincoln Center), and I was running behind schedule, and I made my escape. This requires dodging tour bus operators on every corner and comedy club barkers carefully positioned halfway on every block. The Rockettes were even out in force to promote their current show. The whole area was an obstacle course through which I had to weave and duck.
I admit, most Saturday shows in NYC start at 2:00, and mine was at noon, so I was fair game as far as the income seeking crowd was concerned. Still I don’t go to the Big Apple considering myself a tourist after all these years
So I guess the best thing to do is steer clear of that area and make my way down another street to get to my destination. Fortunately there are quiet streets away from the hubbub, where real folks try to get through the weekend. I passed one woman who had made her way to a local Subway for a hoagie on a motorized scooter; she left the gizmo outside and painfully took the steps from the front door down into the restaurant just below street level, where a quiet bunch of franchise employees served subs in the shadow of Columbus Circle. I enjoyed a peaceful lunch there as well, while she slowly made her way back up the steps with her foot long and putted her way home, which I assume is one of the many high rises nearby.
She doesn’t get a pickup line for a photo from Hello Kitty. She just lives there.
I suppose the person inside Hello Kitty lives in the city, too, and is trying to make a living. More power to all those folks, because that can’t be an easy job, especially when folks like me aren’t cooperating. The tourists make up for me, I’m sure, the city gets my meal money, and I enjoy the entertainment for the day. For me, it was a longer ride home than a high rise off Columbus Circle, and I didn’t have to find a place to stow a big cat head and costume.
I travel light, because I’m no tourist.
Susan's Scribblings the Blog 