Sunday, May 17, 2009

Gossip Girl - Could it Really Be True?

I know most of you have probably not watched Gossip Girl, but the first time I saw it I wondered if it could be true. Could there really be a place on "the upper east side" where teenagers drink martini's in swanky hotel bars? Where did they get this idea? Well I felt like I was right in the middle of a Gossip Girl episode last night. I arrived at the "W" Union Square after midnight to check in for the week. The place was hopping. It was just a buzz of activity. I guess this really is the city that never sleeps. So as I'm waiting to check in, a gaggle of 12-13 year old girls comes squealing into the atrium. They are all dressed to the nines, fancy dresses, high heels and make-up! They looked like they were trying to be 20 year olds. After discovering there was a screw up with the reservation (that's a whole other post), I go outside to take a taxi to Le Parker Meridien. While I'm waiting for the taxi, along side all these girls (with their mothers), I overhear part of the conversation. They are complaining about the rain, and what it's going to do to their $80-$100 shoes! I feel like I'm in an alternate universe. Who are these kids? Who are their mothers and fathers that let them dress like this? Are these girls going to grow up thinking the brand name of their shoes, their jeans and who does their hair, are the important things in life? It makes one wonder. The next time the Traveling Hillbilly sees an episode of Gossip Girl, I'll know it's true. There really is a place where teenagers drink martini's at swanky hotel bars! And that place is a long way from where the Traveling Hillbilly's grew up.