Ohhhh no biggey. Just a lion casually opening a car door to get to the humans inside...
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Do We Miss New York
Like all breakups, we needed separation to gain clarity. Of course, next we went through the denial-bargaining-anger-grief phases. Now we have emerged-- a bit shaken, but in one piece. And we're finally ready to talk about it.
So here it is. The first of our post-breakup posts. We recommend you read it how it was written- with your favorite breakup pint.
What We'll Miss / What We Won't
Fancy cocktails / That cost $14
The Piano Guy in Washington Sq. / The Pigeon Guy in Washington Sq.
The Spring / The urine smell that follows
The Fall / That only lasts 5 days
Amazing West Village apartment / Tiny in all ways but rent
Everything being so close / Everyone being so close
World’s Best Restaurants / With the sauciest Maître D’s
The Shows / Time Square
Informed people / Protests
Living at the Center of the World / Fear of terrorist attacks
Public transportation / RATS
The very best Police and Fire Dept / Sirens all night
But there are aspects of New York that are untouchable by our cynicism (as if New York needed our protection.). The daily things like amazing tap water and personal drivers. The museums and parks in a city so well laid out it gives evidence to smarter men having a bigger plan. Challenging jobs that proved ourselves to ourselves. The honesty that replaces manners and, with that, the freedom in knowing exactly where you stand with people. The unique lives being lived in each window you see. And the history on every street, every block, and every building of New York. A history in which, by daring to live there, little you play a part.
New York, if you're reading this, we miss you already.
Match Souvenirs to Your Real-World Style
We've all been there.
You walk into a discount apparel store and, about 2 racks in, you get overstimulated by the cheap prices, buckets of purses, and plaid abundance. One thing leads to another. You fantasize about your new styled self pulling off some hipster-chic, oversized coveralls and that's when you black out.
When you finally come to, you're walking out with a bag of stuff you don't need, will NEVER wear, and give off a slight smell of stale cheese. Just me? K cool.
Well I run the same risk when visiting a new place. I fall in love with the culture, the people, the history. I hear the enthralling tale of the pottery master's rise to fame and become convinced I can work an Indian motif into our one-bedroom apartment.
I blame the tourist goggles. I lose sight of my real identity and personal style and get swept away in my enthusiasm for new cultures. Well that ends now people. We're not doing a trip around the world to collect shot glasses. But you don't need a World Trip to be proactive about your foreign purchases. Below are 3 great articles I've found on the subject. Read up and buy right.
And cheers to your real-world self meeting your travel self and loving her outfit. Or at least her African mask collection.
Article from Everygirl.com: 5 ways to Cultivate a Well-Travelled Home. Most amazing tip? Bring home spices from your trip and recreate your experience in the kitchen. So simple and spot on.
Article from Huffington Post: The Souvenir Collections You Should Start. Leave the magnets, shot glasses, and key chains where they belong- at the shop in the offending country.
Article from CNN: The Biggest Souvenir No-No's. Great tips when purchasing for others. Sorry, pal. No one wants your leftover foreign coins.
Quote of the Day- Regarding the Hazy Areas
I wish the state department would just have this answered under any travel warnings: 'Should a reasonable person travel here. YES OR NO.'
-Blakely about the "hazy" areas on the itinerary. Kenya, Egypt, Israel. Everyone has an opinion and no one agrees.
Vaccinations - so hard to love
We love Europe. But we aren't going.
We feel that you should know (in the name of full disclosure. And since we've become so close) that (brace yourselves) our itinerary doesn't include Europe.
Whoa whoa whoa cool it. Here's why:
- Relative to other parts of the world, Europe is a fairly expensive region.
- We've been very lucky in the amount of times we've gotten to travel within Europe.
- We feel most comfortable there. And now is the time for discomfort.
- The Main Reason: Most places in Europe are amazing no matter what your age. And now isn't the time for that.
We aren't ruling out a quick jaunt to Spain from Morocco or hopping to a Greek Isle from Turkey (see Blakely plotting already?). But for now, we'll have to content ourselves with knowing that we'll always have Paris.