New York, New York

This past August, Jason had a work trip for a couple of days in NYC so I played hookie and joined him for fun. Jason doesn’t typically travel for work so this was a new experience, to go somewhere with him but mostly exploring without him. It was also a new experience for me because I was born in NY and actually spent a lot of my childhood there, visiting my dad during the summers after we had moved to Chicago. I had done all the typically touristy things many times over again, like go to the top of the Empire State building, the Statue of Liberty, the Staten Island Ferry, etc, that this time I knew I wanted to see New York through a different lens.  As I’ve traveled more in my adult life, I’ve found that I most enjoy a city or new place by simply walking around, and not being on much of a schedule. It’s nothing earth shattering, but I feel like I experience the place the best that way, just by walking, taking photos, and popping into a cafe or boutique that looks interesting every now and then.

I mapped out most of the island so that I would be extra efficient with the 2.5 days that I had there to walk around. Not a ton of time admittedly, but I actually think it was just enough to get around to all the neighborhoods I wanted to see. On the first day, I didn’t get out until early evening and made it through Chelsea and the West Village, and that was with Jason after his meetings. Then on the second day I made my way through more of the West Village and Soho, then on through Little Italy and China Town, and trained across the bridge to Brooklyn. And this was all walking in August’s 95 degree heat. Fun times. Had it been less of a hot day, or long one, I would have loved to walk across the bridge. Next time :)

I actually looooved Dumbo in Brooklyn. It felt like such a respite from the craziness of everything in Manhattan. I spent a small chunk of time in Park Slope just walking around looking at pretty brownstones, met Jason for dinner there and we ended that night heading to waaaay south Brooklyn, to see the apartment building that I spent my first two years of life in. It was still there– I was nervous it wouldn’t be.

On our last morning, Jason and I got to walk around together since his last meeting was over early, and we walked through Central Park up to the Upper East Side. You know, had to see where my girl Blair was brought up. Of course, we visited the Bethesda Fountain, and the pond where Jenny had her first drug deal. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, we probably shouldn’t be friends. But seriously, Central Park is so beautiful! I had no idea just.how.huge it was. My legs definitely hurt after walking that last morning. Then we ended our visit on an existential note, at the top of the Rock, hoping with all hope to see Jimmy Fallon. Alas, we didn’t.

Hope you enjoy the mix of DSLR and iphone photos! Have you visited New York recently? What were your favorite things to do/see?

Below is a side by side of myself at 19 weeks pregnant standing in front of the first home I ever lived in, and my mom carrying myself with my sister standing next to us, in front of the same building. Both really crummy photos, but I’ll hold these close for a long time :)

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