I just had a very strong reaction to NYC. Like, I'm a little obsessed with it, actually. Just looking at a map of it has me all... dreamy.
But then, this is what happens to me. Quite a bit. I tend to fall in love with places. I fall in love in some way and to some extent, with just about every place I go. In fact, I'm not sure I can think of a place I've ever been where I thought, "Man, I don't ever want to come back here..."
Every once in a while, the response is strong. Stronger than just my typical, "I love to travel, would totally come back here again and can even imagine a whole different fantasy-life living here." You can't live everywhere, of course. So usually, if the response is strong, I eventually end up living in the places that elicit that strong reaction. At least at some point. For a while.
I've been to NYC several times before. This recent visit, however, was just... intoxicating, I guess.
You know, you can know someone for a while and think s/he is an interesting person and appreciate her/his friendship and see that other people find her/him fascinating and therefore you can acknowledge her/his value and all... and then one day that someone is suddenly substantially more intriguing. Attractive even. Now you keep thinking about her/him. Who knows why exactly but your perspective... changed.
Well, that's what just happened to me and NYC.
It's weird to be having such a strong reaction to a place that feels entirely out of my reach. As in, it's expensive. And working/living there? Hrm. With a child? Double hrm.
But, it's a just a crush. I mean, I'm in a relationship and I'm really happy with it. I remember falling in love with her(e), too. And finding my way to her(e) was a great accomplishment, given the circumstances. (The context for that comment is really an entirely separate post.) And I liked coming home to her(e). And she holds no expectations of me. She doesn't get jealous when I date others. I know she is completely unaffected by my fling with NYC... That's how it's supposed to work, right?
“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly...”—Robert Louis Stevenson
Oh my goodness. You've managed to put into words something I've flirted with for years. Cheers! Brava! Well said!!
ReplyDeletei LOVE new york! i too, have flirted and still dream about living there. but i know that i am exactly where i am supposed to be at the moment.
ReplyDeleteShort visits sow romance.
ReplyDeleteLong visits sow reality.
My guess is your visit was less than 5 days? NYC is great, no question about it... but a short vacation shows more of the chrome and less of the rust.
Yeah, kinda like the few first dates.
My brother's basement apartment is available for rent :) tee hee!
ReplyDeleteI have big love for NYC too. And especially love that people think I am from there when I visit (for my fast talking and certainly not my language..haha).
ReplyDeleteVery clever! I've been having a love affair with NYC for 10 years. Actually it's been more like lust and now I'm thinking about other places. NYC is a little too high maintenance for me at this point in my life. I'm looking for a relationship with someplace more laid back. So Steve and I are thinking about moving to Queens...still part of NYC and I can get to Manhattan when I need her(e), but a lot more like suburbia.
ReplyDeleteWe should form a support group - laugh.
ReplyDeleteI'm fairly certain that if I ever visited the Caribbean I would NEVER come back. Forget work, family, resposibilty...ok, the family can visit.
Seriously, sand, sun, maybe a hurricane. I can take it!!
Where's my beach chair?!
I do the exact same thing. And then I always feel like I'm homesick when I'm not in the place I'm currently in love with. For the most part I'm in love with Eureka Springs, AR (I know, I know, ARKANSAS!? But yes, it's an incredible place) and I'm in love with the idea of Ireland even though I've never been there. I know when I go I will want to move immediately.
ReplyDelete