Giving thanks

When Steve and Erna found out when we were due to arrive in New York they invited us to come spend Thanksgiving with them, an offer too good to refuse. We hopped a Chinatown bus on the Wednesday afternoon. The trip was not as quick and pleasant as our trip on Bolt bus last time around but after a stopover in the outskirts of Baltimore we got off in front of the arena in the centre of DC just as a hockey game ended, meaning we had plenty of company on the late night metro ride. Of course you couldn't find nicer hosts than Steve and Erna and it was so nice to see them again. They had a stunning meal prepared on our return and we had a great night recounting some stories from our many adventures.

For Thanksgiving Steve, Erna, and the family head around to their friends house, and we were invited to tag along. The party had all the classic ingredients for a traditional American Thanksgiving, at least according to our hosts. There were family members who had flown in from afar and of course a lot of turkey, stuffing, and sweet potato pie. Although Bjarki had previously had a taste of Thanksgiving in the US when he went to college in Florida, this was Arna's first experience of traditional extreme overeating. Sort of like Icelandic Christmas but without the presents. Having the meal in the afternoon also means that Americans can go back for seconds, and thirds, later in the evening.

Our final day in DC was spent relaxing with Erna and Steve,

Our two visits to DC were the perfect way to bookend our trip.

The big friendly apple

Back to the big apple. As soon as we arrive at JFK we start piling on all our clothes that have been at the bottom of our backpacks since we left Xela and instantly remember why when we arrive on the outdoor subway platform on our way to Manhattan. The air is chilly but fresh and still. Svenni ducks out of a bar on 4th Avenue to hand us keys so we can get into the spare bedroom he has once again been kind enough to lend us. When our backpacks are off our backs we head straight back out to grab some asian food.

Svenni's Street

After almost six months of new places, people and experiences New York almost feels eerily familiar. Especially since neither of us has spent more than a week at a time there. Several factors make it almost feel like home though. Factors that we have begun to appreciate. Always knowing where we are and how to get to and from everywhere. Speaking the language. Knowing if we are being ripped off. And if we're being too stingy.

Brooklyn

The amazing location of Svenni's place means that we spend our days browsing the city on foot, finding amazing bagels on 5th avenue (our breakfast for every day afterwards), grabbing some christmas presents, and soaking up the unique atmosphere of New York City: simultaneously hectic and easy going.

We also met up with some old friends, never tiring of telling travel tales and sharing good times. Lunch with Lloyd at a bistro owned by a charismatic scotsman and dinner and a show with Tim, Roberta and friends at a Puerto Rican restaurant come nightclub. Our tourist ventures put to one side as we edge closer to normality.