Arrived on Wednesday 13th February feeling excited about the prospect of checking out New York and catching up with lots of friends. NYC has certainly lived up to my expectations: iron fire-escapes, yellow cabs, tasty bagels and high-rise buildings. However I have had many unexpected experiences. Walking round Manhattan on Thursday I happened upon Chinatown and it was like teleporting to the streets of a Manchurian town, embroiled in the hustle of tonal Mandarin like cellos yo-yoing around my periphery. On Friday I was consumed by grannies ordering their fresh pasta in Italian in Little Italy in the Bronx. Then walking down 125th street in Harlem and soaking up the fashion flexed in the heart of Black culture, jewelry and sneaker stores engulfing me on both flanks. At many times I have been shocked by the diversity that oozes from every district. I even thought the architecture would be more homogeneous but the neo-gothic style is often shadowed by unique blends of brick and mortar like the residential brownstone houses in Brooklyn near Prospect Park. Sitting in cafes has been one of my favorite activities with customers ordering their own unique specifications and chatting to the person behind the counter who always makes it a pleasant exchange. It's such a small thing but coming from the icy service we expect in London it seems truly special.
Has been great to catch up with friends from Japan and old family friends from the time when I was born in Connecticut. Lien has kindly had me to stay in the Upper East Side and others have met up with me for drinks or a meal so it has been enlightening to hear everyone's angle on the city. On Sunday I visited a Kerouac exhibition so I am now fully geared up for many days of travel On The Road!
