We've been living in Australia for about 14 months now and people often ask us what we miss living here and not in NYC anylonger. Its a funny question, almost predictible. Most of the time, I can't be bothered to get into it so I'll give them the standard, "Only people, friends and really good friends....but you never know, they may move out of NYC one day soon as well." They are usually satisfied with this answer and leave me alone. Which is fine with me. I guess I'm too busy setting up our new life here and don't have time to stop and ponder the true answer to this question.
Well lo-and-behold, something hit me yesterday, something very small but I know one of the things that I do miss....its "flavor." And what I mean by "flavor" is "color-mixed races-vibe-rhythm-flavor". When one walks down the street of NYC you notice the different tones of skin, the different/diverse smells, the many languages spoken.....you're thrown into a world of culture, coolness and languid energy. Mind you, this doesn't happen ALL the time, there are areas and times when this is not prevelant but its usually there....
I was transported to this place after hearing an interview on the radio (here in Melbourne) of an American Black musician....there was something about his tone, the words that he used....things that reminded me of some of my friends who I'd left behind.....this feeling then took me to some of the cafe's, bars, lounges where we used to go that you can't find anywhere else in the world....
Its definately hard to describe in words.....and I'm sure that there are a heap of cool/other worldly type places here, that's not the issue, its what I know and what I miss right now....
24/04/06 @ 11:41