So, I've been in NYC for 7 days. The first day I was terrified and appalled. NYC is dirty. Melissa's living conditions really shocked me, but looking back on where she's lived in the last year, I should not have been surprised. She was always willing to live in places that were more run down than I was. The last time I lived like this was in college, and I moved home after one semester in that environment. Living at home and commuting was a better option than living there. Anyway, I can see why she puts up with this place. It's less the surroundings than the people that make a home, and there is a very loving, supportive albeit ADHD family atmosphere here.
To be honest, this city is exhausting for me. It's all the dancing I'm doing on top of all the walking you have to do to get around. My friend, Melissa, who I am visiting is always on the go. I don't know where all her energy comes from. She must have some fusion reactor in her, because if I tried to function on the amount of sleep she gets, I'd get sick and getting sick is something I don't want to do. Actually, she drinks a lot of coffee. I don't drink coffee, so maybe that's it. I am not consuming the native's fuel...
Don't get me wrong. I love Melissa to death, but this on the go lifestyle concerns me. Last night, I changed our evening plans from going out karaoke and dancing to stay in and watch a movie, and I felt like the major party pooper for it. I really had to put my foot down about it, and even when they finally agreed, they left the need to go out and get alcohol to make it more fun to stay in! Wha?! In the end, it was a fun night.
I am older than they are (but not really by much). However, I think I am outgrowing the phase of their lives that they are in. The last time I lived this lifestyle I was anesthesizing myself after my breakup with Eli. Right now, there isn't really anything I want to run away from. I guess that's the thing about travelling. You put yourself out of your element, get to see how you react to new environments and situations, and in that process, you learn something about yourself, what you want, and what you need to have in your life.
Which is a great lead in to talk about the guy I met. It's weird, I was reading my horoscope yesterday, and it says that on May 3rd, Venus in my zone of friends and wishing and that there’s a good chance that if I'm single, it’s a friend who’ll be my best bet for leading to romance. That could mean I meet someone new through a friend or someone I’ve considered a friend for a while starts to become something more. WTF! Lo' and behold, May 3rd was Tuesday and that's when I hook up with Melissa's friend, Juan.
I met him the night before and thought he was fun and endearing, but it was his dancing that really got my attention. I really wish I could meet a guy like him on the West Coast. He's intelligent, a bit geeky, seems grounded, has an awareness of the environment he wants to raise his kids in, dances salsa, has good hands, is a good lover, is the perfect height for me, is fanatical over Princess Bride... We had a romping good time acting like teens in his car after Flamingo Monday evening. Tuesday night was even more satifying. Damn. All I want but on the East Coast... I think I would like another night with him, but it may not happen. I'm pretty sure it would upset me not to have him to wake up after a night of loving. *sigh* I'm trying to remain realistic about the situation and keep my head on. It's a good thing that he hasn't done anything seriously romantic, because then I might ... agh, nevermind.. I won't allow myself to fantasize about that.
I have tourist stuff, jazz class, dinner and salsa planned for today. I get to dance with Juanito. *squeak!* I'm also splurging and getting my laundry done. Saturday, I'm meeting my high school/ college friend also known as Melissa for lunch and then going to a museum exhibit on Asianness. I have to figure out how I'm getting to the airport Monday bloody early morning. By the end of this weekend, I think I'll be more than ready to go home to the city by the bay... Though, a couple of days on a white sandy beach sounds just as soothing. Trips to the tropics is an entirely different kinda of holiday! I think this is one of those "I need a vacation from my vacation" vacations. Whew! NYC is kicking my ass.
