5 More Days

Movement is Constant

No camels yet, but I've been enjoying the camel-like-velocity I've embraced during my journey to Amman, Jordan. Currently lazily sitting on my sister's couch in DC, watching a West Wing marathon and mowing on some salad, kale chips, Giant's peanuts, and of course cerveza.

I began this odyssey early in the am on May 11th. Managed to get to SFO on time with the help of my father. Sat on the tarmac for a good two hours, in and out of consciousness and trying to figure out what was going on. The fire alarm on the plane kept going off, which was really encouraging. Eventually, or flight managed to get to Minneapolis with just enough time for me to hop on the connecting flight to Reagan International Airport in DC where Yasmeen was waiting to pick me up.

My first location, Washing DC, instantly reminded me of how seriously everyone takes themselves here. Then again, the constant scene of blackberries, iphones, and andrioids is a reminder of the work ethic upheld by the citizens of the city. No matter how I looked at it, I kept reminding myself that this was my summer vacation, so no matter how hard anyone around me was working, I could do just about anything I wanted. The next two days I spent with my sister and walking around the city alone while at she was at work. I made it to the National Portrait Gallery to see a a portrait of Stanley Kunitz by Ray Elman, the father of one of my roommates back in Vancouver. I also manged to get back to some reading, finally. I don't think I've read a book of my own choosing since my trip to Bulgaria two summers ago.

I then made it to NY for what I call my first time. I went when i was six, but don't really remember anything from that trip. I found it very impressive to arrive on the bus, heading down 6th ave and seeing the tons and tons of people out on the streets and the first floor of all the massive buildings occupied by hundreds of shops and food shacks and restaurants and bars; anything to draw in the crowds really.

I spent most of my 4? days in NY wandering the streets and hanging ot with Aunt Jeannette and Bryant. Most of our time was spent in Chelsea, where I was most impressed by the Highline, and old elevated train track that has recently been converted into a city park. Its one of those things that you see in drawings and designs of concept cities, but never expect to actually see - so that was awesome. We also explored the Chelsea Market, where I met their friend Rick, also from Novato, and had a drink at his restaurant. The market also had a sweet italian import spot, with some good prices on tons of stuff. Must go back there.

On sunday Jeannette had to work so Bryant and I spent some time wandering around the city. Made it to a Polish restaurant the had the best sausage I've had since Bulgaria, then over to the Lower East Side where we found the pickle guy and my first pickled tomato, as well as some okra. The tomato was astonishingly tasty, and the okra was better than expected. Then we walked across the Williamsburg? Bridge, into Brooklyn, to another spot that served m

ore polish beer in glasses the size of my head. Very refreshing.

After a little more wandering around in NY, including to the oldest original bar in the city, Pete's near Gramercy Park, and a few hours at MOMA, I've since made my way back to DC, and honestly am starting to get a little restless. My cousin Catherine and Jaime and their baby Camilo are coming into town tomorrow, and Jeannette the next night, so that should hold me over until my flight to Amman on Monday at 4:55pm. Counting down for that, when the real adventure begins.