Bright lights, tall buildings, and people bustling about: in the city that never sleeps, a small bison named Benny left the familiar Great Plains in order to conquer the book publishing world.
The idea of sending Benny to New York first came up in early April. The University of Nebraska Press (UNP) marketeers decided we needed to send a representative to New York City to promote the Press along with our imprint, Bison Books. Benny had dreamed of going to New York ever since he was a calf, and finally, here was his chance.
Benny traveled to New York City during the first week in May, to promote UNP’s new Fall titles to various publications and clients. Benny was a little sad that he would be missing the lovely Spring weather Nebraska usually has in May. However, as May 1 approached, Nebraska encountered cold temperatures and snow. Benny wasn’t so reluctant to leave anymore, because the East Coast was being faced with a forecast of sunshine and heat, which was his favorite kind of weather!
So off Benny went, flying from one city to the next until he finally landed in the Big Apple. There was so much he wanted to do and so much he wanted to see! His first stop was at one of the most well-known spots in NYC, the place where all tourists go: Times Square.
Benny stayed in New York for a total of three days, but the time came and went so quickly, it was almost a blur. He traveled up and down Manhattan and met with many kind people at Jewish Review of Books, Wall street Journal, New York Review of Books, Bookforum, and Publishers Weekly.
Benny spent most of his days in meetings, talking about his passion: books! At night, Benny was free to roam the streets of New York. One night he even headed to Broadway to see the hit show Jersey Boys. It was his first Broadway experience and he enjoyed every minute of it!
The rest of Benny’s free time consisted of doing the things everyone should do on a first trip to New York: He visited Museum Row and saw the Guggenheim; he traveled up and down Fifth Avenue; he ate a hot dog from a street vendor; and he even went to the famous Carnegie Deli. His only regret was missing a tour of the Statue of Liberty.
Benny was having the time of his life. But, like all great things, his trip had to come to an end. As Benny boarded the plane to head back to Nebraska, the once sunny New York sky became cloudy and rainy. It was the perfect metaphor for his reluctance to leave the greatest city in the world. Benny will never forget the things he learned and the people he talked to on his trip. He hopes to one day return and once again roam the streets of New York.
-Emily
Go back, Benny, go back! And write more about your next trip! I loved your "travelog!"
Posted by: Mary K. Stillwell | May 31, 2013 at 11:38 AM