scaling down the big city

it took nearly 28 years. not my next blog entry, but rather my first visit to new york city. just as i thought i had prepared myself for an overwhelming journey and adjusted my senses to soak everything in without losing my head, i saw the back of the statue of liberty and was instantly transformed from a tired, huddled traveler into an awestruck, proud patriot. and that's how the weekend went. 2.5 days of gawking, listening, and smelling all that the fine city has to offer- from the sounds of time square chatter to the taste of street cooked pretzels (ugh), everything is in its right place.

i had planned on a 95 mile week including the trip to nyc. i didn't come close to 95 miles due to an appropriately timed battle with the flu. the day i was to travel to seattle and spend the night with good friends (mike and naomi, a VERY hospitable couple who didn't object to my mcdonald's chicken selects permeating their home at 11pm and who were willing to receive me at that hour on a day notice) i fell off the nutrition wagon and apparently hit hard. it seems when i forget (or don't make time for) food i have a hard time making it through the day. when i boarded the plane my eyes were pressed back into my skull, my skin shivering but hot, and i could feel my legs seize and relax, seize and relax. however, after a few cokes and as many pretzel packets as i could wrangle up, i was strong enough to pull my bag out of the overhead compartment when i arrived in seattle. good thing too- i did NOT want to sleep on the plane.

the next morning i boarded the plane to nyc. newark, actually. i felt the need to visit bon jovi home soil. after realizing the statue of liberty was IN FACT green, i survived a cursing ukranian cab driver and arrived at the algonquin hotel. elegant and interesting, the algonquin served as base camp for weekend of nyc exploration.

i'm not through with the nyc exploits, but as with my travel to the "gonq" (as i named it affectionately) i am through for the day. however, it should be noted that the city never wore me down. the energy keeps you up, it keeps you breathing. the buildings in all their massive glamor never peered down on me with a pretentious wink or threats of expulsion from "their" city. the hotels, businesses, churches, and monumental structures take visitors under wing with guidance and compassion. and if the buildings can reach down and feel real, i was excited about the rest of the city as well.