the end or ‘the tale of two cities’

I was very conscious, on the last full day in New York, of the pressure to fit in everything that I hadn’t yet done. Having said that, much of this was fairly easily rectified. By the end of the day I was satisfied that I could leave knowing I’d taken a good bite of the Big Apple. Raining and misty though it was…

new york – deep thoughts, underground places

“The real act of will was not in the creating of a garden but in the sustaining, the continuous stand against wildness.” – The Submission – Amy Waldman

“Rich dreams now which he was loathe to wake from. Things no longer known in the world. The cold drove him forth to mend the fire. Memory of her crossing the lawn toward the house in the early morning in a thin rose gown that clung to her breasts. He thought each memory recalled must do some violence to its origins. As in a party game. Say the word and pass it on. So be sparing. What you alter in the remembering has yet a reality, known or not.” – The Road – Cormac McCarthy

new york – sights and sounds

“Boy, do I hate it,” I said. “But it isn’t just that. It’s everything. I hate living in New York and all. Taxicabs, and Madison avenue buses, with the drivers and all always yelling at you to get out at the rear door, and being introduced to phony guys that call the Lunts angels, and going up and down in elevators when you just want to go outside, and guys fitting your pants all the time at Brooks, and people always-”

“Don’t shout, please,” old Sally said. Which was very funny, because I wasn’t even shouting.” – The Catcher in the Rye – J. D. Salinger

The exploration began today. I bought breakfast at one of the cafes in this super hipster/organic/trendville apartment block and was served by a guy who despite supposedly living off organic vegetable juice and good vibes didn’t seem very happy or upbeat about his life.

british man in big city

After parting ways with the Spooner family in Boston, I found the hostel I would be staying at for the night. The perhaps irrational apprehensions you can get about staying in a hostel were largely put to rest by HI Boston. At least, I’m sure they’re not all like this but this one certainly was very pleasant. The staff were friendly and everything seemed to have been thought of when it came to security and comfort. It was creatively designed and had a modern feel to it and breakfast was provided which is always a good thing. Also, sleeping in the top bunk will always be fun. Yes, trying to get to sleep in a room full of other people was always going to be harder than normal but everyone else was in the same boat and I soon drifted off.

I used that first evening before going to bed to wander around some of Boston, taking in the Boston Common park, which is overlooked by the grand State House.

the special relationship or ‘1 wedding and no funeral’

‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps not record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.’ 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Being welcomed into a family home and treated like a guest, is one of those great feelings. I love when it is somewhere far from where you live, amongst enough friends that you don’t feel like a complete alien, but also enough people you don’t know, that meeting them is a totally new experience. It’s safe to say I’m now pretty peopled out and I think I am looking forward to roaming around on my own, but the last few days have been fab – the Americans don’t shy away from a good wedding.

america – arriving by air

‘My favourite bit of Outside is the window. It’s different every time. A bird goes right by zoom, I don’t know what it was. The shadows are all long again now, mine waves right across our room on the green wall. I watch God’s face falling slow slow, even orangier and the clouds are all colors, then after there’s streaks and dark coming up so bit-at-a-time I don’t see it till it’s done.’ – Room – Emma Donoghue.

Yesterday I turned 21, today I am in America.
This is not only astonishingly good timing, meaning I am able to legally sample the locally  brewed beverages and craft beers of the East coast, but also seems like a good sign for adventure and grand vision in the year ahead. But time will tell on that one… Visiting a foreign country the day after my birthday did mean that the date itself was a bit of a non-event but I think i’ve got to the age where this doesn’t especially bother me. Singapore Vermicelli noodles are a strong recommendation for a Chinese takeaway meal though.
Back to America… In a few days I will be Best Man at my best pal Jake Spooner’s wedding. He is marrying his American bride, Hannah, in Massachusetts.