When you live in a city, and the weather is fine...it is entirely acceptable (and 100% environmentally friendly) to walk where you need to go rather than cab it. Everything is close. Unlike the suburbs I grew up in where there was no way you could live without a car, nyc is not that bad for moving on feet. I walk to my food store up in my neighborhood, to Duane Reade, and to my subway stop. But the walking I’ve done this week takes this concept to a whole new level. In two lovely days, I have walked a grand total of 230 blocks in Manhattan. Why? A few reasons:
1. It was gorgeous out.
2. I have no money for cabs being I just started my new job and haven't seen the pay yet, and
3. I love manhattan and my ipod and am always up for combining the two on a nice long walk with myself.
On Wednesday I woke up knowing I was going to begin the journey of decorating my upper east side apartment, being that I just signed a renewal and am officially calling this home for one more year. I took over the lease in January with a 6 month commitment, and didn’t really know at the time if I’d be staying. (I moved from Hells Kitchen, & wasn’t thrilled at the idea of being uptown again.) So, we did little with the place. It is small, all white walls, but with a fantastic view of the East River from my room on the 22nd floor. And with at least 365 days more in it, I knew my bathroom & living room had to be fantastic as well.
So I walked 35 blocks to Bed Bath & Beyond on 60th and 1st, “went to town” in there, and walked 35 blocks back up. Sigh….That was only the beginning. What would later follow that day, was a trip to Carl Schultz Park on the east river, & then Central Park on 110th (top of the park) to sit in the grass with my gal pal Lilia. Transportation Method? My legs. Total Blocks: 100.
On Friday, I left my apartment nice and early (with large ice coffee in hand) & walked from my place on the Upper East to Lincoln Center on 65th and Broadway. I crossed town through Central Park, which was incredibly scenic. (See photos of this perfect day below). I arrived at Lincoln Center just in time to sneak (yes sneak) into my friend Jasons graduation ceremony from Brooklyn Law School. I smiled, hugged, took pictures, and off I went again. Congratulations Jay.
(my perfect stroll through central park. brittle path)
I then walked (here’s the kicker) from Lincoln Center on the west side, to 16th street and Irving Place downtown on the east side. I had a mandatory meeting for work (on my day off, but the meeting was held at a bar and we were given food and drinks so I went with a smile on my face). Besides, Irving place is my favorite street in the entire city and I was able to sit there for a bit in quiet because miraculously I arrived to this meeting early. So there I was…230 blocks, 2 days, sitting on Irving Place, with my shoes kicked off just enough where I could give my feet a break without them actually being out and touching the sidewalk. I sat there in the heat, and reflected. I thought…great day. Feet are hurting. I am sweating. I want an ice coffee the size of my head. I walked across this whole city today…I am a champion.
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