March 6th - New York

March 6, 2010 New York, 3rd day


Yes, I am here and at the moment it already feels like a long time.

I rented an apartment on 54th and 9th ave, which upon arrival was a pig sty – what is it with me and messy, cluttered apartments? –I mean, indeed shocking. The first night I worked till 3 am, so I felt I could go to bed without breathing dust, cat hair or stepping in litter (no cat here now). The person who rented it to me dropped out of sight, turns out there is more to this rental than I was told, I will not bore you with the complications.

Now, I have a clean apartment, albeit above a construction site and only windows in the bedroom and again, no TV, very New York

I bought hyacints and good food, burned incense and candles and it feels more and more like home, I will go back to Austin on the 23rd and report on this scouting trip.

Yesterday I went around the tip of Manhatten with a broker, which is supposedly the only affordable area left. The pull for us is the view on The Hudson River, spectacular.
Tomorrow another round and working on other areas outside Manhatten.

Today was a noteworthy day. I went to Central Park since the weather is glorious, clear blue sky and in the 50ties. I forgot that about NY, more sunshine than in Holland, even though it gets equally cold, but therefore feels nicer.
Everywhere people, businesses, sounds, smells and activities. Saw rollerblading with ski poles in the middle of the road, drank coffee while walking like a New Yorker, saw Strawberry Fields – the John Lennon memorial – for the 100th time, jumped on and off buses and trains – public transportation is fantastically fast – horse carriages, people on horseback, funky clothing, in short, New York

Tonight I had dinner with my 2nd cousin (achterneef) in the West Village. It was my old stomping ground and it felt like home, although the noise level and congestion is harder for me now that before.

Tomorrow I once again see houses in the north, where it is also much quieter
It may be a better compromise for us, further travel, but more small town like.

PS: a new page on the website, link “about me”