I'm back home now, and not happy about it. My last hours in New York were uneventful. We woke up and packed and checked out of our room, storing our bags in a basement locker. My asthma was bothering me so after we ate one last breakfast at the City Diner I returned to the hostel basement and tried to relax in the air conditioning. I was scared to death my asthma would really flare up by the time I got on the bus and began the 17 hour journey home. Thankfully that didn't happen, and while not feeling great, I was able to rest peacefully on the way home.

I began missing New York just one block from the hostel when I saw two girls on a street corner with their cameras pointed at the New York skyline. I wasn't ready to leave. There was still so much to see.

The bus ride home was no better. It was a bit more quiet with exception of a baby screaming several times during the night. The Greyhound service was still horrible and our final driver was a nazi taskmaster who wouldn't let someone reboard the bus because he got in the wrong line. The passenger's baggage was still on the bus and the driver made him remove it and leave to wait for the next bus to come along.

On the way home I listened to many Nick Cave albums and a couple Sufjan Stevens albums. Stevens is great for helping you relax and fall asleep.

And so here I am. I'm home and I'm exhausted and tomorrow I start writing an article about my time with This Story in New York City.

I was going to post some pictures--I had some nice ones of Strawberry Fields and the things left there to honor Lennon--but I can't figure out how to post them. Oh well.

My perceptions of what New York would be like were very wrong. I dealt with few crowds, there was hardly any traffic, I saw few homeless people, most of the people I encountered were very friendly. I realize at any time of the day all of the above exists some place in the city. But I felt at home immediately. I always felt safe. And it was great to finally find someplace I felt I belonged.

Thanks for reading the past few days.


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