Writing this post from the comfy haven of my armchair back in the HQ, recovering from a sudden adrenaline deprivation and a terrible jet-lag, this last post can only be written down as a series of loosely connected impressions, already fading into a grey mist of the past.

And to be honest that is also what a ten day visit to New York is ... a series of impressions, forming a very sparse and by far not complete view of it all. New York is simply too big for that. Even limiting oneself to the Manhattan island (something almost every tourist does) does not help much.

We have stayed in the L hostel - the newest hype amongst cheap hosteling accommodation facilities in New York. It is a hostel with a very specific mantra: Become the best hostel in USA. The combination of low price (more than reasonable for a city like New York) and a vibrant city with many diverse attractions this Harlem based hostel just might succeed. I am not saying that Harlem has the nicest ring to it, but the neighborhood has improved a lot in the recent years (or so the Wikipedia says). I am in no position to compare, but I can say that I have never felt endangered ... during the day. During the night I preferred to stay in the hostel and sleep so I really cannot tell ... yes, I am not a party-animal, for those who do not know me that well. But guessing from frequent fire truck/police car/ambulance drive-by the area has a very lively night-life.

A semi-expected cold shower after Washington DC were the museums and galleries ... entry fees again. And high ones too. Once more it turned out that it is is great to be a student (with a valid ID to prove it) as most museums offer up to 50% discount for our shallow pockets cough. One annoying thing that became even more apparent nearing the end of our trip was the American obsession with air-conditioning. It feels great for first five minutes, coming from 30+ degrees, being relaxed by more than 10 degree temperature drop ... but then it becomes COLD. And you even start to regret your clothing decisions made in the morning.

Considering the fact that I have brought back about 8 kg of books, I may also write a paragraph about that. There is a very cool book store in Manhattan called Strand. They sell new, semi-new but mostly used books at reduced prices. Sometimes prices are severely reduced, like for a copy of Tolkien's "The Hobbit" ... I paid 49 cents for it. The other thing that I have bought in New York besides books is a new laptop ... but more about this in some other post.

So where am I now ... I will have to get used again to not cross the road when the traffic light is red. I will have to get used again to money that can be distinguished by color and size. I will have to get used to not to use Slovenian language as a code language used to gossip and make funny remarks. And I really have to publish some photos ... and sketches. So that is it for now ...