I wasn’t myself.
I forgot my daily grid of schedule and felt lost the whole two weeks in New York. I didn’t know what to do and who to meet when. I don’t need to stick to the schedule, but knowing where I can go to get information is crucial for my well being. I should have created another one but feeling sick and jetlagged, I wasn’t myself.
People think I’m crazy. I probably am. I usually pack for my trips at least two weeks in advance. Double-checking everything the night before. This time, I repacked right before leaving for the airport. Oh, the joys of being temporarily homeless. I was also busy with work.
Doing the research would have helped me plan better. I had forgotten that the MET is free with strongly encouraged donations. MOMA for $25 was a bargain because it was awesome. I also think we should pay for art.
I got to see lots of people. Learned to play Citan. Was fun. I could have seen more people. Reinforced the importance of silence and space. Appreciated people’s generosity and kindness. One friend drove hours to spend one day with me. I have amazing people in my life.
I’m a bad tourist because I don’t care for tourist attractions. I care for cultural and human connections while doing something mundane or cool. I don’t think I could be paid $30 to go up the Empire state building. The free Staten Island ferry, I could have done without. The walk over the Brooklyn Bridge was beautiful. The skyline at dusk through the jagged cables of the bridge. Nothing like it, but it was cold!
I tried to enjoy being sick, to get a glimpse of how sick people feel. Reminder to be kind to myself and others.
If and when I go back for 7 days, my ideal New York itinerary would be as follows:
Food:
- Breakfast – Check out few cool cafes. Then go to the one I love the most every day afterwards
- Lunch – Save money by going to the well-known places and meeting friends who are working.
- Dinner – Set up at least 4 reservations. Eat things unavailable here: Sushi and Asian
Spectator Activities:
- Musical and/ or play – pay for good seats. I can afford it. I see the value in it
- Philharmonic Orchestra or Opera – pay for good seats. I can afford it. I see the value in it
- The Central park
- NY activities– a lot of research is required to get value out of this
Putting myself out there:
- open mic
- Set up social experiment on the streets
- Arrange value-adding event
Better preparation:
- Phone roaming – get at least 2GB of flat-rated data
- Get a better phone that works
- Bring legal drugs like allergy or pain killers
- Re-educate myself on the ways of America. It’s been 7 years since I used an American ATM card… I couldn’t find it before I left.
- Register for Global Entry
- Bring everything I need to sleep on the plane: Lumbar & Neck support. Eye mask. Noise cancelling. Scarf. Sleeping pills
- Order things on Amazon before leaving. Things are much cheaper in the land of super consumerism: portable keyboard. Carpets. Backpack. Rolling bag. But only the things I need