overall, i had a fantastic 36-hour recharge getaway to new york. my flight up wasn't full and my entire row was empty giving me ample room to stretch and stow my carryons under an empty seat (quite a contrast to my return flight). my hotel room was ready for me when i arrived early, around 10:30. bonus. for the most part, the 2 days i was there were gorgeous temperate spring days with just a few showers later in the afternoon/evening. mostly i fueled myself on dark coffee, organic sandwiches and the requisite magnolia bakery cupcake and doughnut plant cake doughnut. i had a lovely visit to pucci where i made a new friend while we were trying on some spring lovelies. and i saw the best photography exhibit i think i have ever seen: the henri cartier bresson collection at MOMA. wow. truly a global retrospective spanning 40+ years of images. it was fascinating to see his portraits, his street shots, and his commissioned documentary images, many i hadn't seen before from china, russia and india.
i read one book and half of another, an indulgence i don't often make for myself. i explored new neighborhoods on foot. just walking around the city was a fantastic way to reboot and recharge. i get so energized by the movement and stimulation in a walking city. i feel connected and part of it as opposed to distanced and not engaged in cities where you drive from one destination to another and don't experience the city in the process. i shot some street photography. not as much as i would have liked but i thought i made some important strides in shooting on this trip. so i felt good about that. and i felt good about coming home. i got what i needed from this new york interlude and more: my recharge has begun.
doing what i/we need to recharge is key, but the interludes where i focus on renewing are just one step in the process. now the work of maintaining my recharge continues. i can't always take the recharge trips when i need them, so it's critical that i am consistent about focusing on ways to feed my creative needs no matter where i am or what my circumstances are. i've been considering how to nurture inspiration in my everyday experience and will continue to explore and blog about that, as i think it's essential to creating a fulfilling life.
but first, a few photos from new york: