Lewis And Clark Kind Of But With A Car: Spiderman City

Rain, gusting wind, and having a slight cold don't normally make for an excellent experience of any sort. However, when that experience takes place in New York City, the majesty and energy of the city do a damn good job of making up for less than desirable conditions.

Max and I spent the night in Commack, Long Island with his incredibly hospitable aunt and uncle who fed us a goofy amount of food and set this trip off on the right foot. Taking the train into New York I started to get a little dissappointed about how hard the rain was pouring but on exiting the train i was instantly so overwhelmed by everything around me I quickly forgot about the weather.

Manhattan isn't like Sesame Street, I suppose I'd have to go to the Bronx or something for that. Manhattan is however exactly like Spiderman. I think what most excited me about the city, even from the first moments of walking around, is how much being in New York felt like I've always hoped it would feel. Seeing so many movies and television shows that take place in the streets of the city, I had developed a certain sensation that I've always associated with the downtown area. The feeling of complete enclosure in an endless metropolis that I felt walking through the city today delivered EXACTLY this. I was also constantly struck by the sense of raw industrial history throughout the city, particularly in the subways where ancient looking machinery, typography, tiles, and iron framework seemed from an era long since erased in Los Angeles. The people who built this city seem to have done a hell of a good job considering the modern world seems to thrive here while still relying heavily on this hundred year old infastructure.

Anyhow, wandering the city was more of a pure sightseeing expedition than anything else since street performers and tourists in general seemed to be absent due to the rain. The fact that today was 9/11 did bring some out to ground zero, including some weirdly coordinated giant protest who's participants claimed that crafty ol George Bush himself had orchestrated the attacks 8 years ago. Spending the night tonight with another of Max's aunts and uncles who are equally hospitable and letting us crash in their midtown apartment with a view of a good portion of the city. Pennsylvania tomorrow. I hope it's like Sesame Street!