New Haven:
Idyllic. I felt like I was on a movie set and all the actors were taking a lunch break. It's so comfortably quaint -- the beautiful old houses, the parks, the churches, the clean streets, the university. Spent some time lying in the grass, looking up through the trees, finding shapes in the clouds in the blue sky. Shopped at a local grocer, watched college football, ate frozen yogurt, and pondered about the mysteries of the Skulls & Bones building.
New York:
Electric Zoo -- giant electronica dance party! No better vibe than dancing your butt off with 30,000 other people. Didn't know much about the music, but you really don't have to... Met up with Todd (who I hadn't seen since Cape Town!), and Jackie and co. Fun fun times. 6 stages of pulsating music traveling through your veins.
We had never been to Central Park so wandered over for a day and chilled on the lawn. This city park may be the coolest ever: rock climbing walls, playgrounds, sports fields, statues, bike paths, open lawns, it's got it all.
Austin:
I was there for 4 days and I got a hybrid rental car (super cool!). However, it took me 10 minutes to figure out how to start it, ha! The thing doesn't have a real key! You stick the entire thingamajig in there! And you have to hold down the brake in order to power it on! Anywho, I loved it. Totally getting a hybrid as my next car, now that I've got it down.
As always, it was great seeing everybody :) Spent the night at Emi's the first night and my dear goddaughter has my name down: Nadi-AH! She's adorable -- so talkative and almost 3. Played with her in the jumping fountains (I won't lie, I'm glad I got to use her as an excuse to play in them... they're way too fun). Also played giant Jenga and Connect 4, and Skee Ball at a bar with Suzy. Social nights and got to see all my favorite people. My mom wasn't in town this time, so didn't get to see her, but paid my dog a couple of visits!
Baack in Cincy now. Somewhere in between the plane rides, I caught a cold. I'm also too stubborn to nurse myself back to health because I think it will magically disappear (it might!) so I've had it for about a week now. I need to catch some sleep soon though.
OH! Did end up buying a ticket to New Orleans for Halloween :D After the Electric Zoo concert, I figured Voodoo Fest would just be too good to miss out on. Plus, can't let a good time with friends slide by, right? :)
...And I'm still thinking Jamaica for New Years. Need to find a cheap ticket...
