urban longing
I returned from NYC with a terrible cold. I think I picked it up on the plane. At least half the passengers were coughing and blowing their noses. Also, I didn’t sleep well the whole time we were gone, which was almost 3 weeks. All in all, I’m in a a bit of a daze. I miss masses of people, especially masses who don’t look like me. I miss seeing one of my dearest friends whenever I want. I miss building as tall at small mountains. I miss the feeling that I might see the most amazing film, piece of art or performance right around the corner. The tree density is overwhelming here. I could walk down my block and not pass another human body. No one is sitting on their stoop. Hardly anyone even has a stoop. Maybe I’d feel different if I lived there, but that’s not a consolation right now because I live here in Portland, where I ‘m waking up in the middle of the night wondering where I am and missing the most amazing city in the US.
I don’t have much experience with NY, but the one time I was there briefly for Todd’s wedding it was pretty easy to see why people fall in love with the place. Over time I think I’d end up feeling claustrophobic – that’s how I’ve felt spending time in Chicago – no place to relax outside of the cocoon, always feeling like I’m walking on someone else’s space. Away from downtown is less like that, less packed in. Anyway, I’ll bet Portland feels sparse right now.
Sparse for sure, but I’m happy to say we came came back to lovely weather. The great thing about NYC is all the parks and all the free or cheap things to do. My friend said the expectation is that people need to get out of their apartments. There were the most amazing community gardens in the East Village, which you could just go sit in if you wanted and they were open. People hang out on their stoops and on the sidewalks. I was amazed at how well people shared space.