© 2011 Abigail Ekue - All Rights Reserved
"Abigail showed me an interesting way to discover NY and Brooklyn. It was like being in the skin of a New Yorker, the way she lived. We were going to places to meet people in an artistic mood and we saw some shows about Burlesque and poetry. It's the best view to understand how life can be in NY. I felt free and curious about the city and the souls who live here. Connecting with people is the best thing to do when you're traveling, she did the best job of that.
I always have an artistic and a psychological point of view and it was so perfect to go through the city with Abigail.
She is gentile and subtle and she has great taste of music and artistic things, it was just the great melting pot. It was perfect moments with her discovering the city with her knowledge of the city. You will love seeing NY with her, the real NY."
--Tom Spianti, Paris, FR"When I first moved to NYC from Florida, I was a little overwhelmed to say the least. I had a bit of “culture shock” and found myself bored and self-contained in what is arguably one of the most exciting cities in the world. After all, New York is the city that never sleeps! Ironically, I found myself sleeping more than I did back home in Florida.
Upon meeting Abigail, all of that changed. She was very friendly and welcoming; not something I expected from a native New Yorker. She was warm and very fun to hang out with. She showed me around Manhattan, and gave me important tips on being a New Yorker in the process. Her conversation was not dull in the slightest, and she helped give me the cultural spark I needed to get out and see more of the city. I completely endorse Abigail, as she is a New Yorker who knows the city and knows how to make “newbies” feel at home!!"
Thanks,
Nate Courtney
Explore New York City (including Brooklyn, The Bronx or Queens) with a lifelong resident -- I will be your personal tour guide! Learning English? Practice your conversational English and learn common phrases and figures of speech.
Want tickets to Broadway (and off-Broadway) shows, restaurant reservations, or access to events taking place while you're in NYC? Your RSVP's, guestlists and comps (where applicable) to special events, art openings, industry parties... All handled by Yours Truly, your Personal Concierge.
Want to visit the only remaining operating clocktower in NY? On an active or adventure vacation? Need to find the ultimate in chocolate? Or looking for a taste of home in the melting pot? Each outing catered to your individual interests. We can visit the usual tourist attractions too!
Return from your vacation with improved, natural English and keepsake portraits (packages also available without photography services).
Contact me to spend a few hours with a native New Yorker -- 3 to 8 hour time slots available. Learn English & Explore NY!
Services also available for anyone relocating to New York City and native-English speakers. I can aid in social networking -- connect you directly to new friends and professional contacts!
Native Creative Tours
My Afternoon With The Italian Architect
I spent a few hours with a 33 year old architect from Milan. He responded to an ad I posted online; he was in NY to learn English and wanted to meet me. I chose the time and place where we met in Brooklyn on a gorgeous afternoon.
We walked and talked. He's a professor of architecture in Italy. He taught me a lot about the history of NY architecture; he's very knowledgeable and passionate about his work. It was strange for him to now be the student (he's taking English classes during the day) and have homework. He's the only Italian in his class; the majority of the students are Spanish-speakers. He was a bit disappointed because as he put it, he's close to Spain when he's home. He didn't want to cross an ocean for more Spanish. I mentioned that it was interesting that the Spanish-speaking students in his class were all European not from Latin America.
Throughout the afternoon he shared his take on the New York culture (and American culture, in general) that he's been exposed to and I pointed out local points of interests all while teaching or correcting his English when necessary. The prayer alarm blared as we passed a mosque. Sitting outside were two woman wearing burqas and niqabs. A few blocks away he asked about the America view of Muslims after 9/11.
Testimonials
What's an afternoon with The Native Creative all about?
Visiting NY or know someone who is? Learning English? Let's take a walk!
"On my first trip ever to NYC, a few hours with Abigail had me completely feeling like a native! We laughed as we ate, talked while we walked, met new and familiar people and delved into genuine new experiences.
I loved how nothing was scripted - she took my interests into consideration and allowed her knowledge of the city and own wide ranging flare of culture direct us into one of the more memorable experiences of my travels to any city. Thank you Abigail!"
--Maurice Thompson, Atlanta, GA
