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After an uneventful but exhausting night on the Greyhound (NYC to Richmond and on to Roanoke, then to Blacksburg via the Smart Way Commuter Bus), I finally have a chance to update my blog, having grabbed H's laptop while she's still at work. More about H, her awesome family and town tomorrow.
So, what did I learn yesterday? Mostly, that to have a good day, you don't really need to do anything - just head for Manhattan, smile at people and keep an open mind and you'll do all kinds of crazy stuff. My insane day began pretty calmly, with a lovely breakfast spent talking to Nolie, a 50-something Kiwi with a girlfriend in Vauxhall Bridge. She told me all about her travels - she'd Amtrak-ed all over the USA. She gave me some tips about places to try in NY. From there I meandered into downtown Manhattan and got caught in one b**** of a rainstorm. My umbrella wasn't big enough to be much help, so I ducked into a very chic teach shop with decor very similar to Starbucks. I'm not really a tea person, but I asked what the girl recommended and she gave me one of the most gorgeous drinks I've ever had. I eventually made it through Times Square to the bus terminal, and met a lovely Israeli ex-soldier, Pavel, in the queue. We exchanged Facebook details and he told me about his weeks in Pennsylvania, where he saw bears, and his planned solo trip around South America. When I tried to buy my ticket my card was declined - cue major panic, but it was okay, I paid in cash.
Had lunch at a Europa Cafe, where they tailor make you a salad - twas verily gorgeous. Went back to the bus station and got another ticket, and bought myself a strawberry juice...thing that was vyr nice indeed. Started to head back to the hostel around 2.30 but was ambushed by a very nice young scientologist who took me back to the NY Church of Scientology to be converted. I watched a film and filled out a form (with fake details, naturally) but managed to leave without parting with any cash, despite pressure. Decided to go back through Central Park (which is AMAZING!) and caught the eye of Holden, who pulls a carriage around the park on his push bike. He offered me a free trip, which I accepted, because hell, why not. He told me he liked my smile and I did different caricatures of British accents which made him laugh. He left me at the beginning of the literary walk, and as I reached the fountain I met another man, Victor, who took pictures and told me about his job in security and his time spent in England. Eventually got back to the hostel around 5.30, having stopped to recharge my batteries at a Starbucks en route. Picked up my luggage and Kerouac's On The Road at the Hostel and made another new friend - a German guy called Lefty. Caught the subway to the bus station, panicked for a bit about ending up on the right buses, made friends with a Hispanic family who spoke no English communicating only with smiles and gestures and somehow ended up in the right town.
So, until tomorrow.
Brewster out.
- comments
ejags I am extraordinarily jealous. Give my love to H and her family.