NYC - Saturdays like a local

The Saturday just gone, I had every intention to fit as much as I possibly could into my day. I was going to be up early, see the High Line, then work my way up to Times Square, Broadway, Central Park, and the Upper East Side. I had tours and museums planned and ready! 

However (oh my rookie thinking), of course I came down with a nasty cough and sore throat the night before, so I made the executive decision to sleep in and take it easy for the day. And what a good choice that was. 

I took my time waking up in the morning - I slept in, went and got a coffee, ate breakfast, and then dressed up in my warmest active wear and headed down to the High Line. It was beautiful, and somewhat calming, to be amongst a crowd of people with itineraries for the day, hurrying through the High Line to make sure they got to the next sight/tour/attraction with plenty of time. There were phones and cameras, and there I was simply being there. Maybe that's a perk of being in one place for an extended period of time - you can just be. 

Following that, I wandered through the Chelsea Markets, smelling and tasting, watching and looking, taking it in. The Chelsea Markets are, and always have been, one of my favourite parts about New York City, so it was nice to just enjoy them. I made mental notes of things to come back to at a later date (probably next Saturday, honestly) and found my way out. Instead of pulling out the ever-so-reliable Google Maps, I decided to just wander. My place wasn't that far away, but if I got lost, what was the worst that could happen? 

I meandered through streets, admiring street art and observing incredible architecture (if you're ever in New York City, wander through Greenwhich Village - you will not be disappointed!), and soon enough found myself on Bleecker Street, and it was bustling, but not in a Times Square kind of way. It was full of couples and friends - locals - who were all out for their Saturday morning routine. They were in and out of cafes and restaurants, making their way through the Saturday morning markets, and bumping into long lost friends along the way. They were walking their dogs, and catching up over lattes. 

I made my way into a book shop, and as I was browsing, I overheard the couple behind the counter engage in several conversations with others who had come in and out of the store. It was so lovely hearing the "Oh I finished this book this week, and it was extraordinary," and "Where have you been? We were worried about you," It was just a perfect way to observe the community in the area - something that is so easy to miss when you have a single weekend to fit the entirety of NYC in.