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.