An Australian in New York Land (And a New Yorker Back Home)

Feb 8, 2011

Home sweet home! After nearly six months abroad in Australia, I was back home on U.S. soil. When I left Australia it was over 100 degrees, and when I landed in New York it was below zero. What a welcome home. I went from sandy beaches to snowy streets in one day. I looked at Natasha and said, "Todo, I don't think we're in Australia anymore." She jumped up and down excitedly. While I wasn't in warm Aussie land anymore, at least I had an Aussie in my freezing land. I won't go into a day by day, minute by minute replay of our New York adventure (mainly because I didn't write everything down, and my memory isn't that good), but it is certainly worth mentioning some of the many highlights.

NYC from up above

This trip was full of firsts for Natasha. It was her  first time on an international flight. She freaked out. Fortunately, she had her knitting to keep her calm. Oh, and the free flight wine. Nothing soothes the flight nerves like a mini bottles of Chardonnay. It was her first time seeing snow. She freaked out. She ran outside like a giddy child spinning round and round with her arms wide open and head lifted to the sky. Then she dove in the snow and began making snow angels across our front lawn. It was her first time driving on the right (and also the correct) side of the road. She freaked out. I could go on and on. No doubt, watching Natasha's reactions to these novelties was absolutely priceless.

Natasha's first snowfall

Snow angel making

We spent the first few nights in Saugerties, which Natasha thought was the cutest "friendly, historical" town her eyes had seen. She thought all the houses were so nice, and loved the small vintage shops and cozy town bars. It was nice to see an outsider's fascination and appreciation for my hometown, which I admittedly take for granted at times. When you've lived in a place for 25 years, you tend to become immune to its subtle splendor, from the Catskill Mountains to the Hudson River and everything in between. Natasha's fondness of Saugerties reminded me to appreciate the beauty that resides right outside my front door.

Bundled up, waiting at the Poughkeepsie train station

The two of us spent most of our time in New York City, however. Natasha fell in love with the city the moment we walked out of Grand Central Station and into the heart of the madness. As the week passed, her love deepened and deepened. She didn't want to leave. We stayed busy each day running all over the city seeing this and doing that. Natasha's list of things to see and do was ridiculously long. I explained to her that not even people who have lived in the city for a year have time to do all the things she wanted to do. But that didn't stop us from trying to do it all in a week. We hauled our little booties all over town, cramming in as much food eating, museum visiting, sight seeing, shopping and booty shaking as we could each day. Natasha had questions about everything. I felt like a horrible tour guide because I didn't know the answer to any of her inquiries. Usually, I just spat out an answer that I thought was correct and hoped that she would accept it as good enough. She was like a little child whose developing, sponge-like mind kept asking, "Mommy, what's that? Mommy, why does __(fill in the blank)___? Mommy, what's sex?" And then I would blabber something about birds and bees, cars and garages hoping it would quiet her. Don't get me wrong, I love that she was so curious about and fascinated with the city- I just didn't have a clue. I'm not that NYC savvy.

Our reflections in a piece of art at the MOMA

Natasha in the city. Doesn't she look like a New Yorker?

Drinking warm beverages at a rooftop bar that supplied us with red cloaks for warmth. We felt like we were in a cult.

We took a one day detour from New York City to visit Laura in Philly. Natasha also thoroughly enjoyed this northeast city. She was a huge fan of Philly's architecture, from the cobble streets to the mosaic tiles that were embedded in the buildings to the murals painted on the sides of buildings. She was also thrilled to indulge in a Philly Cheese Steak, Philly pretzel, and root beer soda. Some of Natasha's other favorite American foods were Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Ranch dressing, sushi, New York City pizza, Tasty D'Light ice cream, corn bread, and last but not least, bagels with cream cheese and lox.

In Philly

All in all we had a fabulous, action packed two weeks. I'm so glad that I got to share my home with Natasha,  and that her dream of going to New York City finally came true. Plus, it was great that my mom and dad could meet one of my Australian friends in the flesh after reading so much about them in my blog. They of course adored her, and were ready to adopt her as their third, Aussie child. Did I mention that she knit them socks? No? Well, she did. That's not something this child has ever done for them, nor ever will. Knitting is one skill that I haven't acquired. Oh well. I'll add it to the bottom of my "to do" list.

It was sad to send Natasha off. Her departure finalized the end of my Australian adventure. It also finalizes the end of my blog. So let's all take one large inhale together, and now let out a long, loud sigh. Ahhhh. Did you do it? Do you feel better? No? Me either. Go grab tissues, we can cry together. But I will only permit you to cry for one minute. After that you must wipe a smile back on your face, and be comforted knowing that you can come back and read this blog any time you experience nostalgia. It will be here waiting for you, I promise. And I promise that I will be back to blogging the moment I embark on my next great adventure. But for now, let's go out with a hearty group "CHEERS!"