So I’m in NYC for a few days. Under ideal conditions, I would have put more time at home between California and NYC, but it couldn’t happen for 10,000 reasons. I’m happy I’m here. Mainly to see the opera with my friend Dave. Because I’m traveling on my own, I tend to find quirky spaces to stay at. The last time I was in NYC, I almost fainted from the charge on the “affordable” hotel that I booked, so I decided to look for other accommodations. I found a room share in Harlem through AirBnB with a lovely woman named Lotus. I’ve never stayed in Harlem before – so new adventure for me. The place is lovely, just steps from the subway and from Whole Foods and Dave, my opera friend, came over last night and we went to the Red Rooster restaurant which had live music and was an entire vibe. So lovely and fun. Not touristy – lively, but no line to get in. The waitstaff was incredible and dressed so NYC – the maitre d’ had no hair on his head, but a magnificent beard and a flounced white shirt with ruffles on all the exposed edges and red silk pants. As we were leaving, the staff was like – why are you folks in town? And we said – the opera! And he smiled and said – that’s an entire different part of town than where I hang out. Haha. That’s what it’s all about, trying different things, meeting different people.
I’m still having a rough time from the jet lag, I don’t like going east and this NYC vacation isn’t going to help with the later mornings and later nights. And, of course, because I’m paying less for my accomodations, it’s not quite perfect (not that the other accomodation was perfect either, lol). The bed is good, the room is good, the location is good. The weather is good for open windows, but there are plenty of traffic sounds from outside all night – so I’m weighing the breezy air with the traffic noise. Hmmm. Maybe I’ll try some white noise tonight.
This year, I’ve done a family trip, a friend trip and this is my solo trip. I do like them all for different reasons. My favorite solo trips are my NYC trips – this is usually where I go, Jeremy doesn’t really like NYC and it would be terribly hard with Edda (though we have gone with her in the past). I know it’s too expensive and too crowded and loud, but somehow I enjoy the feeling of…possibility & potential. Maybe next time I should do a solo trip in the woods and hike – I also really like that, that’s also gives me a good feeling too.