Autumn

It's been a while since I posted last, got busy, distracted, lost writing spirit...
I meant to for a few times... but laptop in the backpack hiking through numerous coffee places did not happen somehow. Just couple of days ago I spotted a place riding a bike on the way to school (I am a happy owner of a two wheels vehicle) it brought back some things I was missing immersed in simple everyday routine: Chinese, work and some social life until I drop dead tired. Thousands of pictures untouched and unsorted, books unread, running paths undiscovered....


This month flew fast but was as eventful as 24 hours a day could ever allow. I went to Tibet for a week. Took amazing photos on 5000 m altitude: mountains, lakes, people, glaciers... beautiful wonders of nature... monks and Buddhist flags, temples... as if from older times, all less materialistic.

Came back to jump right into Chinese exam(disappointed) and some worldwide economy craziness (amazed by interdependence)... I did not happen to owe much, so I had nothing to lose just maybe got a bit stronger connection to the Confucius's saying: We are here to live not plan to live .


I continued exploration of this wonderful place that I call home now... it treats me as home as well, huge and surprising on every corner. I have a great hopes on my bike, until it gets stolen...

Last weekend I found myself racing on dragon boats out of town, enjoying probably the last hot days until the cold slows down adventures, attending Formula 1 and Art Festival's ballet performance.... not to count numerous good and not so movies I watched alone, with friends and just random people...

It's Friday again, looking forward to a company of my bike, camera and couple of friends to run away from work and Chinese characters right into wide spread welcoming arms of Shanghai...

Jazz Festival

It was before 7 am when I woke up on Saturday, strangely enough eager than ever over the week to start the day. I had a sleep over at some friends' place... the morning sun was paving the floor through the large window. I picked a book, it was China Travel Guide... I opened the Tibet page. Hope to go there one of these days.

We did some yoga, following the women on the tape, laughing half way, since the translation into Russian was quite funny - too direct... and still sweating stretching our bodies. It's killing... the yoga... especially if you do not stretch for ages... I should do it more.

We were off into the city after breakfast, heading to the tea market. On the way in taxi I had time to let my imagination grow and make a picture of the tea market life. Chaotic and maybe unorganized, huge souks with green leaves and old ladies thrusting in their fingers to get a handful of what will go into the teapot for a probe.

It was completely different though, as many things in China that I tend to underestimate. Many separated rooms, clean, well thought, equipped with all necessary tools for pleasant and long tea testing. It is quite time consuming, I would say, one bunch of leaves can last for 10 times of brewing and it gives slightly different taste every time. Sellers like to talk about their type of tea and it is quite interesting to listen if you know Chinese or have someone who can translate. I had, so we went through several rooms, drinking maybe 20 cups in total.

I like tea ceremony, I have never thought of doing one myself. Well, after this visit to the market I am proud to admit I have everything for a basic amateur tea ceremony.

Since Monday I was dreaming of Jazz Festival. It started on Friday and is going for three days in the park not that far from where I live. We walked there, watching streets and people, feeling the energy tea gave us. The tickets were sold out. Ha? How could that be, there should be one left for me, or three left for us, since we really wanted to go... Well, the music was heard outside the park, so we walked around catching the smooth sounds. And then we have found it. The entrance that did not require the tickets. Just a fence, low and unguarded, it was just impossible not to jump over it. So we did. Heading towards the lights of the stage I was thinking that this was a perfect cooperation of initially contradicting facts which makes me happy and does not make anyone else unhappy - since they got all expected profits anyway.
The place was crowded, but not as much as at Natura concert in Iceland when the Bjork was announced to sing. People set on the grass, some danced.

There were Chinese bands, playing instrumental jazz first, followed by female solo singers.
Very deep, again unexpectedly nice voices. The light was soft under the lantern we set. My friend pulled a book by Richard Bach. I watched the fireworks behind the stage. A girl on stage swing softly with the rime, her voice hanging in the night air.

Putuo Shan

Not exactly sure how I happen to be on the back of a motorbike moving for some reason just towards the rest of the traffic. I just hoped the 'taxi' driver knew what he was doing. He knew, we were at the port in a matter of minutes, having escaped all the jams. There was a smell of fried chestnuts in the night and many people moving towards the deem light of a port building.


We took a night ship Friday evening, moving smoothly through the waves and wind towards a small dragon island. The wake up call happen almost 3 hours in advance that allowed for slow breakfast and refreshing walk with camera pointed at patches of land raising out of the water and disappearing towards the horizon.

We were met by the hostess and briskly walked towards our lodging for the night, it was drizzling.


Putuo Shan is famous for it's Buddhist temples as well as mount Putuo, that is considered to be one of the 4 sacred mountains in Buddhism. It is not limited by that however. Two beaches, poetically named, caves and sculpture are not of a less interest to an eye spoiled by western views.


The temples, with their quieting atmosphere, burning aroma sticks, prayers and Buddhas, coins thrown here and there for luck, Buddhist monks walking around in tidy orange cloths, lotuses in the wells and ponds - symbol of Buddhism, lions and dragons - signs of imperial power, fish that is hit on it side to call monks and visitors for the humble and very cheap dinner, beautiful nature these all make for an incredible experience.


I am back to the city, with it's 100 000 taxis, neon lights and countless people... having had a royal treatment at a massage center, nice dinner in the up scale restaurant, in my mind I am still going back to the quietness and mystic of the Buddhist temples... hope one day... soon, I will find my way back there.

One day in planet China

It is quite early in the night but I feel sleepy... no trace of thoughts, blank and empty mind, feel sorry for people who have to be around jet lagged individuals. Just came back from dinner out... actually was brought back on the seat of motorcycle(3 wheels one - we've got lots of attention). Wind into the face, ear rings swinging in fast motion. I am home now, on the 18th level of happiness. Am I? Well, may be, may be not, depends what I focus on...

Afternoon, at the office. Young faces around. Calm and concentrated atmosphere. A bit dim, just screens standing out of darkness. Working. Early lunch in the Chinese upscale restaurant, sticks playing tricks on me. Fork is an attractive option, just I am in China... should go Chinese way. Nice view on the district from the terrace. Contrasting tall and slim condominiums and small brick tale houses. Gardens with drying underwear, cafes and restaurants filled with Europeans... All under the gray linen of polluted sky. Late snack served to the desk by ayi... feels like home...unexpected(undeserved) care...

Morning. Sun is quite summery. Put my running shoes on. Off for the streets. People cycling to work. Some stopping on the way to grab fast breakfast. Smells good, lines are long. Running past 2 Starbucks, coffee is a trend here more than pleasurable drink. Get into the crowd in a small park, all engaged in hypnotizing motion of tai chi. Some dance to their inner music, careless of people around, deep into themselves. Some write verses with slightly tainted brushes, right on the paved ground. Not sure for whom...

Early... before the day even starts, seating up on very white bed. I am in China. Feels great, does not feel Chinese...

Random

Have you ever thought why you are doing things you do not mean to do, those that do not feel right neither in the process of doing nor when they are done? Often, those are words that leave our mouth - words that maybe we regret later... being rude, aggressive or just ignorant of people's feelings. (If you do not do any of those, maybe you can become my mentor...) Just being random and a bit separating from yourself and being a spectator in your own life. Is it a weakness... or opposite? Is it an impulsive test?
Turning upside down the whole group dynamics - can you do that? Don't you feel powerful then? Is it bad?

Just had an experience recently: it was a bit of test as well as just letting it out. A bit of stress, a bit of pressure, a bit of dissatisfaction with each other. We can be polite (or dishonest) and say all is good...or be a bit straightforward...or maybe not just a bit till the point of fingerprinting. We did just that, fingers as swards were raising in the airs in opposite from us direction. It was childish... it was destructive, and all in all I knew it should not be done. It was a bit of masochistic approach - how low can we fall? How painful the experience can be? And at the same time knowing that at any point in time you can stop it. Power, ha?

Seating at the session after sleepless night at the international conference in Brazil, listening and falling out of communicated message... peaking up my own thoughts line. It is not too straight, more curvy. Was thinking a lot recently about communication, interpretation.
Some thoughts just are not leaving anymore, tired of coming back anyway...
What is my purpose? Do I have it? how do I know I do (not)? How do I deal with s ocial conditioning? What if ambitions do not support passions? How to learn to read yourself? How do you know you are passionate? How do you know it is time to leave if not?

Do you know the answers? Do you have same questions? Do you bother to think?

Do you know that in best case scenario you have 60 years left (if you are same age as me)? Do you know that with every passing day you have less? Do you know that each day is a small projection of your life? Can you see what your life is like? Are you happy?

El Rio

Rio, a place to be…vivid, noisy and just very nice and homey. Sunny and welcoming even in winter stretches it’s innumerous beaches for thousands visitors... half naked tanned bodies on the sand or jumping in the waves or sliding on the surfing boards, jogging, walking, building sand castles, drinking coco juice, practicing aikido... having fun… just living…

Skyscrapers shadowing the sidewalks, corner fresh juice stalls, tall palm trees, monuments to famous and dead with infamous and alive sleeping at their feet… restaurant’s smells in the air… street fairs with valleys of cute paintings and all kinds of objects to spend money on. Sugar Loaf on one side, Christ stretching his hands on the other…both good places to catch a view of the wide spread city… especially in the dusk with all the lights promising an intense night…

Nightlife spilling out of the bars onto the streets, people shaking their bodies, drinking, talking on the sidewalks, life music, and couples skillfully dancing salsa… midnight dinners, kids not yet sleeping…boiling life everywhere.

Mornings are tight close to nights; days go by rapidly…carelessly… but it’s time to live this sandy paradise and small comfy hostel downtown, with a huge scary butterfly on the ceiling…

and tourists, coming for the Christ’s sake and the one of Girl from Ipanema that Jobim made immortal…

Outloud in Brazil

What has the next minute got for you… are you asking this question sometimes? Maybe you are too deep into the past… thinking over and over what had happened and why. There is a good chance you are missing new experiences then and something exciting is not becoming your reality, not adding to your past. It’s almost as watching the same movie over and over again and missing all the rest offered.

Happens to me, walking down streets wherever I am, watching people coming towards, thinking...what are they? Maybe they have an answer to my questions, maybe they have right questions... we walk past not being parts of each others lives. But happens also you stop, make and eye contact and this is a connection for life or part of it...

...sometime ago in New York... Just happened to be alone in China town, was suspiciously inspecting my plate before trying, sensed a body landing next to me on the bar chair... ended up learning much about his life struggles, getting some lessons and advices as well as exploring the area, better than I could have ever done on my own... unexpected learning experience ...

...couple of days ago at the restaurant in Buenos Aires...my camera run out of batteries. I was on the way to the most photographed district in the city and was blaming myself for not charging the camera the night before. I had a thought while chewing on mesila that the restaurant might have foreigners with Cannon camera on them...and the charger for some reason brought along... it does not seem to be very realistic but I had nothing to loose, so I turned to the person at the next table and asked if he had a camera...Yes, he said. Cannon?...Yes... Charger?...Yes... My friends´ faces were completely blank...not knowing what was going on, I felt they would prefer not to be a part of my table at the moment... so I went on with explanations about unfortunate death of my batteries... Conversation went quite beyond taking pictures... we talked about life and careers, social conditioning and making decisions, pursuing dreams and...just happiness... It was very nutritious lunch I thought(for brain and soul at least, since my potatoes were fried anyway... ) walking out the place... and it did not matter much that I could not charge my batteries, since the cameras happened to be of different model at the end... there are plenty of pictures on flickr... and so much less people opening up just like that... to straightforward questions...

...today in Sao Paulo, missed the metro station, was walking back looking around for some place ... stopped to ask for directions...Spanish works better from my experience... nice female face, happened to be an actress... studying and working... we happened to walk together for next three hours, talking about everything, me - in broken Spanish, her - on perfect Portuguese that I am yet to learn... her boyfriend happened to be near by, he happened to have Russian grand parents and happened to be a friend of Abramovich... well, could I have asked someone else... and walked away with just directions, missing sharing and maybe friendship?

Look around, who is standing next to you?... maybe someone who has answers to your questions, or just right questions to ask.

SFO

I could not get here first...and now I cannot leave.
I have one more day to explore this diverse and very caprice city fading out of fog from time to time to show its beauty and falling back again into white thick mystery.
Summer feels cold here. But it seems nobody minds, human flesh is still exposed in skirts and T-shirts, leaving me bewildered shivering in 4 layers...

It feels so different everywhere you go... Financial district comforting cradle for ambitious souls, lean figures clutching coffee cups, hurrying to make an extra million...

there is an interesting juxtaposition of Chinese district - busy and overcrowded... noise, food smells, people ... smaller aspirations, harder work...

It's a place for all pockets, with houses overseeing the bay and Golden Gate Bridge where you could fit the whole Icelandic nation to narrow but still proud houses, erect and wearing unique color... rows and whole districts of those add to the impression of city as a Christmas tree with colorful garlands of houses and spangle of Golden Gate and Bay...


Freedom... it shows here quite a lot in most unexpected corners... bum making a show behind the bushes (surprising is - people stop to watch), unpredictable clothes choice - just take subway to get lessons of fashion... people talking to you all of a sudden, people talking to themselves or not talking when you ask...

It's a place with ideas, most of them quite mediocre, but some make you stop in awe for intricate work of human mind.

It's like a person... which you tend to admire most of the time... but then you discover parts that you'd rather not have seen(Richmond and Dolores)... you learn to like the whole character though, excusing deviations from perfectness...

The Marathon

It was very dark, just a slight beam from the cell phone screen on the desk. 4:39 … ok I better get up.
I dressed, stretched and packed silently. It’s Marathon today… exciting.
I was on the embankment just in time to join my wave. People stretching, talking, shivering on the morning breeze. We moved towards start line, cheering voice from the speakers wishing us luck…
Running, hundreds of people clustered on the road, adjusting to their speed, maneuvering in between, heading forward. Curious, looking around, diverse buildings, the bay, random people… It came unexpected, the view on the bridge… red and tall in the fog. That’s the aim, that’s future – many miles still to cover, but I will be there.
The further you go less crowded it gets… but then you join those that started earlier, then you go ahead and all repeats… such an analogy of success…growth, isn’t it?
There were cheering places along the track, friends and relatives… holding the signs and clapping… support is needed whatever strength you claim to have, whatever you do…there was someone cheering for me… there were many more that could not come, from Russia and Iceland… that I knew would wish ,me good and feel a bit proud. “You rock!” I saw the sign… I actually do, I thought, light and steady, smiling towards the crowd coming back over the bridge.


It was a break through… I am sure not just for me. Break through the limits, made by the patterns of thoughts… the mind prison was shaking, walls collapsing under new decisions being made on the move… no fear, just action for now and for the future.
…Speeding up towards the finish line… leaving all the miles behind, forgetting the tiredness…music and people embrace me…it’s over… I did it, I feel I could cry, I choose not to and smile instead… celebrating small victory over self... looking forward to many more to come.

Money and heat...

..and you never know if it is good or bad when something unexpected happens…
well, say your flight gets delayed… like mine yesterday…I knew I missed my connection flight in Las Vegas, after 3 hours of delay in Atlanta… my plans were burning with every word of indifferent flight attendant, that was making new itinerary that sounded too complicated . I did not want to fly to Phoenix and then to San Diego and then… not sure where else… So I proposed my version – just take same flight tomorrow and stay in Las Vegas for a day… easy. I have never been to Las Vegas before and was not particularly planning a visit, but it did sound as an attractive option.
I touched the pillow at 5 in the morning the time my body got used to over this month… I was staying in the hotel across the Strip – Las Vegas Boulevard that holds all its treasure – casinos!
The sight of the hotels and casinos opens right from the airport… so I guess visitors hit the ground running…to meet their hopes for attracting easy money.
Well, I do not believe in easy money, but I believe in value of experience. I would not be able to explain this to my parents maybe… so I would not be talking much of playing in New York New York or MGM to them when sharing the experience of the city. (You play small, win small and lose small… you lose until you hit initial investment and stop… then you are good – you are even… and you have control…)
But I would tell them how artificial those billion dollar hotels and casinos are…some holding shark aquariums some small zoos to attract more and more people… more and more money… they lose their identity on the gambling side. It’s just people spread around machines and poker tables… with hunger in their eyes and hope in their souls… Greek columns and statues in “Caesar”, imitation of NYC streets in “NYNY”, French style in “Paris”… but on the playing carpet they all have the same face… the green one with $ sign.

So… I was saying, there is no point of getting frustrated if something goes wrong. It might seem wrong for the moment but we never know what it will result to be in the future. Maybe it will happen to be the greatest adventure, maybe not… but until then no frustration.
Btw, I reached my destination a day later, experiencing all the pleasures of the first class.

Night struggles

Once again, airport.

People all around…noisy to the point when it does not matter anymore... Take your shoes off.. Russian? ah – let me look your passport through…longer than others’, much longer…
It’s stormy, flight was delayed. Making myself comfortable on a chair next to the window. Am I sad? no… you can’t control the weather…my connection flight might be lost, but I will figure something out, or someone will for me.
Listening to Tom Waits…lightning is making its appearance through the window, not worse than laser show in Stone Mountain Park.
It’s my vacation. Starts right now…or not, seems like delay is even longer. Well, it was my choice of flight and as all the choices the outcome is never predictable. What is positive in this? Time – I got some time off routine… Think of it, how often do you get this forced privacy with yourself, when you can’t run away… when you forced to think… well, I see quite many of those moments in a few months to come, but in general there is always escape… in TV, msn, phone…
Lazy thoughts start crawling in my head… did I learn something? How do I know if I did? How did I use this time? It’s part of overall experience…does it make a nice piece in the big picture?
Questions, questions without answers. Someone has to help, I am no good in answering questions…
I am always asking though…asking everybody – taxi drivers, co-workers, co-joggers, everybody open for a talk… and they answer, straight and honest – why do they answer? They think out loud, I guess, taken out of their usual pattern of small talk.
What do I ask, something I cannot answer, something that fascinates me … relationship, career, motivation – what makes you wake up and carry on every day? What makes you happy? What do you think and do not think about? Do you actually think what you think you think? Or you just say it, because it sounds nice?
I do not joke… I just have questions… jokes have answers, or at least they do not have questions…
There is someone that looks like Tony Robbins… he was my friend for this month (I was listening to him every morning while jogging), learning and changing… getting disappointed and reestablishing balance.
Well, I guess I have to do something about my tickets, that 1 mile line does not particularly excite me, but then not everything in life is exciting… besides I have a book to kill the distance. And what a book!!! If you have carried alone to this point of my aimless typewriting practice, you would like it as well…
Honestly surprised by my calmness and indifference, I am joining the crowd… being 47 in the line for the plane that leaves in 10 minutes.

Aquarium

Fast food

Wherever you go, whenever you go you never stay hungry!
There is Wendy's on the corner, Waffle House just across the road, Arbi's next to it, KFC and McDonald's an inch from each other ... and it never ends.
Warm air of fast food places coming through the welcoming doors, subtle smell of fries and burgers, instantly makes you hungry... there is competition, but everybody wins, prices are so low that making food at home is not an option anymore. It does not occur to many that the cheap on money is as cheap on health... it is well-build business strategy, based on weaknesses of human psychology... it's a dynamite for discipline and commitment.
So, yup let's go the Super Wings first, get some fries and deep fried chicken, diet coke? nope, just a classic, who cares about extra calories and sugar. Hmm, craving for something sweet, - Metro cafe is just next door, they have such a variety of 20 sm tall cakes... ok, let's finish up with a bag of M&M's, Walmart is open 24 hours - hurray to never stopping consumerism.
And after such a nutritious dinner, let's put our energy into something intellectually developing...yes, let's watch TV...and let's wonder why 70% of advertising is for pills and drugs....

Discovering Atlanta

This was definitely a strange day...
It started quite normal and quite early. I had jogged in Stone Mountain Park along with dozens of people walking, jogging or cycling. It gets quite hot by 8, so people try to get their daily exercise in the first waking hours.
I was back to catch some breakfast - the cafeteria was fool of people, I had my bit on the porch.
And then it started... a messed up day... I am sure you had those, when all goes wrong and events happen the most unsuitable way... to the point you just do not feel intervening and just seat back to see what would be the further development... feeling fool and self-sarcastic.
Without going too much into details, I could say this all pushed me out of balance and I was too tense to keep standing (it is like on roller skates, have got some experience this week... if you get too tense any disbalance leads to failure).

Well into the afternoon, I have decided that Saturday could be still saved... Any action is better then, since it keeps thoughts away from the questions like: so why exactly did this all happen? how did it start and when?
So I took a cab and went downtown Atlanta... on the way making a plan of what to do there... talking to cab drivers helps.
I ended up right downtown - in the Underground area: shops, art, music, food stalls, all mixed together and lavishly spiced by people.
Not having a map I just walked where my aesthetic preferences lead me to. Walked through Olympic park, stopping to watch children happily running through the strings of fountain. Young and careless, enjoying themselves to the most they made me think what make us, adults, be selective on reasons to be happy... why do we have to be reminded how happy we are just by waking up every day and looking out to this wonderful world? why is dejection often a default setting for many?
World of Coca-Cola wiped my pensiveness away... and even though I am not a big fan of soft drinks, I honestly enjoyed it. I enjoyed the monument to the idea... one person's idea. Can you imagine inventing something tomorrow, that in hundred years will be still popular with millions of people all over the world? You should... Jon Pemberton did when Consumer Behavior, Market Research and Globalization Trends where yet to come to stage... we are more skilled, more knowledgeable and even more manipulative today... but also we are less responsible... we expect this world to be invented for us and we do not put effort to creation... we have not got enough reasons.
... they advertising is just great(they are showing the international festival ads in the museum - piece of art)...

Well, after going through taste it! room things started coming back to place, caffeine made its work, my heart was beating and I was smiling like a fool...
I went to CNN center later and then took a train to Barnes and Noble... uhhh, my credit card status is worsening any time I go there. And since I was still smiling on the way, I've got to attract people - mostly smiling and positive, and, importantly enough, helpful, since I was alone in the dark city without a map and clear destination...
I got home late taking same taxi that brought me earlier to the railroad station... miracle

I am back to normal but still thinking how fragile our happiness is and how dependent we are on external...

Settling down

Atlanta... Hot and colorless... Scarlett O´Hara and Civil War come to mind more than Museum of Coca Cola or 6 Flags when the city is mentioned...
No sidewalks, nobody cycling to work, cars seem to be the inhabitants of this place and everything is meant for them. Everything is on driving distances. How can you not get a car here... how can you avoid the debt?

Fast food places and shopping centers abound, they stay open late... stimulating consumption. There is Asian Buffet across the road, fixed rate for all you can eat... people make sure they eat a lot, sad... shows the dark side of human nature.

Wal-Mart, king of the place, most of the walking is done inside I would guess... rows of things to spend money on. Children get their first business skills here, running around, grabbing stuff and fighting with their parents in pursuit of added possession.

There is a bold mountain to be seen out of my Country Inn window, Stone Mountain. It is claimed to be the largest exposed granite stone in the world... and it is famous for the carving which depicts Confederate leaders of Civil War.
I saw the carving while jogging by this morning, looks impressive...

Still happy and excited... not sure where this come from to a person that appreciates black hues more than white. I am still the same collection of flaws, but I learned to see opportunity for improvement in each of them... Well, my perfect readers, don't you find it boring knowing next to everything? ... joking and yet hoping to be on the other side of the line that separates ignorance and knowledge.

Leaving New York

…I love flying, but god, do I like airports… I do not have to think much to answer this.
No. No. Read my lips - no. Did I say no?
Just had one of those experiences that build my attitude…
I was flying Delta Airlines, domestic flight to Atlanta … too many bags for that I discovered. I was indifferent until they told me the fee for second check in bag(I had two extra)… 150 USD… I was not sure it holds that much…I was not ready to pay and I knew I will not. I was trying not to be difficult and assumed that all will solve itself well. I let attendant to rearrange my bags, to make 2 out of 3 – she is better at packing than I am I guess. Still I had one more than it was allowed…I shared my plans for the half a year travel – they showed no interest… they discovered something to get preoccupied about – my ticket was not reissued they said, not sure what that means, but nothing good I thought.
I was asked to step back. I said that I do not see it as my problem – and I honestly did not, I came to the right airport, I had my passport and I had my e-ticket… whatever happened in the system when the ticket was booked was somehow irrelevant to me, I could not change it… I was calmly watching people checking in, while my bags were pulled aside and I was told to call my travel agency. Did I mention that there is no service on my mobile… I did not want to get nervous, but decided this is time to take an action – I said here is my ticket, here is destination, here is the flight number, and my name… I do not see a problem , if you see a problem – solve it. And they did… so here am I next to the window overseeing the flight field, waiting for boarding… Btw, they forgot to charge me for second bag.

4th of July

Looking out of the window, right at Financial Times headquarters... there are more skyscrapers around, tall and slim, gray and black wherever the eyes travel...
Hard to imagine how many people walk in every morning to earn their bagel and cream cheese...
What do they think, those that we see at the wheel of business word? What do they think of their country? Do they see the role-model? or mess? or do they see skyscrapers out of their office window... shadow of competition?

It's Independence Day, which is highly celebrated by New Yorkers... checking out Macy's seems to be inseparable attribute of the day. Flags are up and people are slow... no rush, just may be for the better deals.

I found myself in Museum of Sex... khm :) Well, what are you gonna do on an Independence Day in the City? Almost like talking a class on this intricate issue... at Masters Degree :)

At Greenwich and SoHo the life was out on the streets, full of people restaurants and cafes, music and laughter... sounds bouncing off the walls of very nice buildings. This is a place to learn architecture.

Later in the evening, when the dusk fell, I crossed the FDR Drive to get to the embankment, thousands of people gathered to get a glimpse of the 4th of July Fireworks... It started to rain... umbrellas flew into the air covering curious gazes... Half an hour later the crowd, inspired and united moved back... the celebration was over... but the spirit was pumped for the year ahead.

Omission points...

All kind of sounds around: music, kids screaming, people talking...I am in Apple store on 5th avenue. It is after 10pm. I am a bit overdressed for this place...was planning to see a Broadway show... did not realize more people would be planning to do the same...tickets were sold out. I waited in cancellation line, no luck... strangely enough did not get disappointed.

I walked instead... and walked into places that never interested me before: M&M's store (there are more colors of m&m's, than I could name), Toys R Us (maybe I have overgrown the place, did not find it appealing...just was amazed to see how African American girl has chosen a dark skinned doll from all the selection), Swatch(thought I might help to be more punctual if I get a watch)...
Now Apple, it is worth visiting, just for watching the people and talking to stuff. I was not pleased when they guessed my accent though, not that I flattered myself of not having it...

I did a lot today, a lot of walking that is... I set off to a place far away (looking for best bagels in town), just to have a goal to get somewhere... visited market on the way: flowers, fruit and vegetables and many many people looking for healthy nutrition... Grabbed coffee and set with a book at some point... seems like I am coming back to reading.
I took subway to Financial District: Wall street, World Trade Center (7 buildings destroyed) to be rebuild by 2012, Battery Park and Statue of Liberty fading in misty air, Brooklyn Bridge... people and more people everywhere.


I am hungry... do not remember having lunch... going to look for sushi place... It's New York they have to have it open whenever... and one of 50 000 taxis can take me there.

First lessons...

It is past midnight. Quite dark outside for New York that, as they say, never sleeps. The twin building in front is completely shut and dissolves in the night.
Just came home; it’s been a long day and…a good learning. Learning mostly about people and myself along with the City of course.
It was a happy day and I made it such…well, Starbucks coffee helped a bit.
I have not found any difficulty in following the thought before ideas (some would call it plans – me in the past, not anymore, not in New York…plans are not flexible (they break folded), ideas are). Jogging in the Central Park was surprisingly not… lonely. People everywhere, jogging, walking their dogs, cycling, laying down on the grass, reading, writing, talking…in the morning of the middle of the week. How come?
My friend was drinking coffee over his Mac when I jogged back. It was nice to see him again after all these years…and a bit awkward. Stepping down into his life again, a guest from past or future, same conditions, but surely moved on people. We talked in Esperanto for a while before switching into English. He did not change much, but he changed his work several times. He is still open and kind, the way I remember from 2002. We had Mango Tapioca in Chinatown then and me and my sister laughed a lot without any particular reason…just being happy.
I went to Chinatown again. This time alone. But many things happened before…which all connected to make a circle of the first lesson I had to learn. I sent some time in Barnes and Noble, carefully choosing books (I have made a commitment to finish any of which I buy or borrow – it hurts too much to see books I had and had not opened – they shed a light of slight accusation from the shelves…many many of them, knowledge that has not been acquired) and set for some time in Starbucks studying the people and flicking through some books that did not make it into the purchase. I hurried back through the Rockefeller plaza and into Museum of Modern Art where I scheduled a meeting with my new friend from the airplane and…looking for Dali. Something happened then. I was feeling good a bit hyper…and a bit inquisitive…I felt so much and so deep, I could almost make a physical shape in the air and I could definitely put it in words…I was willing to see if others could…
…she felt pressured and left me on the way to Little Italy where we agreed to have dinner. She got nervous over the late hours, danger in Subway, her intuition dragged her back home, and mine led me forward… Was I disappointed? Not much, just pensive...We are social animals and are psychologically interconnected…we influence each other, we create connections, invisible platforms which should be comfortable for both parties… I build my side too fast and too high…she slipped away. People do not like to be pushed…most of them, I do since it turns my engine on… and I am not used to slowing down for people, I wonder why, since so many stopped for me.
So I was alone in the East Village heading to Chinatown. I decided to be open for experiences and they did not make themselves wait for too long. I had wonderful conversations sitting at the bar under the red lanterns. I got priceless lessons which I would not want to erase by no means. Here is the question though - if I would not have been me – pushy and demanding would this had happened? Would I meet the right for the moment people? … let them share the thoughts that make the bricks in my foundation? I am falling asleep now, after the day, that hold month’s experiences and year’s emotions.