New York, New York

[lylagoldberry]

 I've traveled extensively and visited many places—I'm grateful for that. And there will be many more to come, amen. In 2013, after numerous trips to Europe, I first visited New York. The planning for this trip was unlike anything I'd done before, and I was so excited that I started a travel journal.

This is one of my projects on hold—but not abandoned—that, along with many others, makes me question my competence and causes me deep anxiety. Well, this anxiety is one of the reasons I'm writing here, so somehow, everything must be right.

But beyond the ridiculously slow pace that would require many lifetimes, I'm increasingly disappointed with the most popular social networks. They have transformed into polarized, chaotic marketplaces and no longer serve as spaces for sharing ideas.

The much-discussed algorithms remove authenticity from connections between people and replace it with commercial and, often, political agendas. It's increasingly difficult and necessary to remain neutral and sane, on the famous Middle Path. So today, I don't exactly know the future format of that travel blog project anymore, I just sense that it exists. You see, I have my North Node in Gemini, so it doesn't seem right (although I must confess it is very natural) not to share what I've seen out there.

Well, back to New York, my first day there was just the way I like it, all nicely planned out and perfect. Yes, it has to do with control, but also with a sense of productivity, efficiency, competence - see the anxiety mentioned above. But also after the ASD diagnosis, I really need to be gentler with myself, my brain prefers things this way for a reason. And I also think it's important to leave room for wonderful things to happen, I like flexible plans. It's a paradox, but isn't that what the Middle Path is?

I managed to take a look at Times Square, had time to be shocked by it and feel everything one feels there. I went to a Baseball game (something only possible with planning), almost understood the game, and went to a Harry Potter exhibition. By the way, I was recently in a Harry Potter Exhibition in São Paulo, and although it was the same "brand", I was disappointed with what happened to the world. It became almost entirely interactive and 'instagrammable,' as they say. It wasn't the same as the one I visited in NY, which had a vibe much more like the London studios - which I hadn't been to yet by that time, so I loved the exhibition in NY.

What a timeline I created here, kind of Nolan-esque! And there was still room for wonderful things to happen. The Baseball game was incredibly exciting, everything changed in the last play and I'll never forget it! And I also saw a Spy exhibition that wasn't even in the schedule.

For reference, information or nostalgia, here's the link to the original post, although it is in Portuguese by now - sorry about that. astrolabioitinerante.wordpress.com/2014/11/17/nyc-dia-1/