I spent my two days off in New York City.
The boys went home with Matthew, and even though I missed them, I was able to walk, sit, shop, eat (or not) as I wished. Being alone in the city I called home when I first came to the States brought back memories: of hopes and dreams, unknown paths and adventures, of the strength I found then in the knowledge that I wasn’t alone, of the inspiration that came from being surrounded by people who had just like me arrived from their small countries to the place where everything is possible.
So I walked, sat on a bench in my favorite spot in Central Park, had my coffee while squeezing with other people having their coffee at one of small round tops of Starbucks on Broadway negotiating the space between my cup and my MacBook, I even took myself to the movies.
I spent some time with friends I haven’t seen in a long time and made new memories.
And all the time, I felt like coming home…
The Ansonia building (in the photo) is where American Musical and Dramatic Academy is located. I lived there (on 12th floor) for the first two semesters.
I stayed at the Jane Hotel in the Meatpacking District – even though the rooms are the size of a train compartment, it was the staff that made it feel as large and generous as a heart that’s open.
I also visited my favorite “curly girl” salon Devachan – in SoHo. Another ‘cool’ place with a super warm, kind and no-pretense attitude.