In a Trance

"Now that vacation is over, back to the real world." You hear that a lot. I've said it too. And you can see that I acted on it - my only two clusters of posts on this blog were from Indonesia and Thailand.

But Julia being here has reminded me, even more than usual, to open my eyes and appreciate all the beauty there is all around us - magic happens everywhere, and you don't need to be a tourist to appreciate that. It can happen every day. 

Spotted on 5th Ave

And so, I was priveleged to explore my own city through hungry, open eyes, and man oh man was it the best 3 day vacation I've had in a while. 

I studied real hard the week before Julia got here. Like realll hard - went to all the lectures and everything! So that I could excuse myself from school and enjoy my time exploring with Julia. 

We went to Stardust diner on Broadway where waiters sang as they served; we went vintage shopping, used books/record hunting, 5th ave window shopping; tried Indian food, Korean food, soul food, Smorgasburg food; saw a musical, went to the MoMA, Brooklyn Bridge, flea markets; freedom tower, rooftop bars, ran into old friends; walked through Harlem, and experienced a gospel worship. 

The last one I'll talk a little more about. I think Julia would agree with me that it was legitimately the most spiritual experience we've had. I mean yes, Bali is spiritual, you can argue that. But, the change you feel there is within you. Don't get me wrong, that is a good thing - a deep form of self realization and growth, something that helps shape people. But what we felt today, was a whole other kind of spirit. 

I guess they would call it the holy spirit - some powerful force that descended upon all the trembling men and women, dressed in their Sunday best, falling to the ground or shaking in jerky movements to the music. I don't know if I believe the existence of a holy spirit right now, but I definitely felt something - an energy that moved me, almost connecting me with them. I didn't act the same way, but I could almost feel what they were feeling, and understand the force that urged them to act that way. It wasn't a spirituality from within; it was spirituality that spilled out. 

We weren't allowed to take pictures throughout the event, but we took one outside - dressed in our Sunday best:

We had the most delicious soul/Caribbean food after, and was surprised by live music during it :)

For the first time in days, Julia and I took it easy - after walking around in beautiful Harlem:

We headed home. Just in time for yoga.

Then it was 7pm. After having spent the last 3 days walking 30,000 steps a day late into the night, I didn't know what to do with myself.

So, "what do we do with ourselves, it's only 7pm!"

"Drink tea?" Julia responded.

And drink tea is what we did. (You see why I like her?:) )

Rose bud tea from an Indian supermarket we went to with friends in the kitchen