Re-discovering Manhattan

Days Left: 716
Goal #1: Walk the island of Manhattan from North to South

Two main things inspired this goal.
1. My dear friend Becky and I have met a lot of wonderful woman and wanted them to meet each other.
2. I love Manhattan and wanted to explore it in a unique way.

So Becky and I planned a walk down the island of Manhattan with a group of girls who don't know each other but who Becky and I thought would really enjoy each other.

So, at 9am on Saturday, June 1 we started with 8 girls (everyone meeting at least 2 new people) on 225th Street across the river. We then began our 13 odd mile walk down to Battery Park, taking bets on when we thought we would arrive. Becky guessed 6:30pm and I believe Georgina had the latest guess at 11pm.

Let the walk begin. Each girl was assigned a section of blocks where she was asked to plan events (food, coffee, drinks, historical landmarks, fun facts, etc.)

We started up in Inwood, weaving our way past auto-body shops and into Washington Heights where we stumbled upon a neighborhood block party full with loud music and craft making stations.

We then continued down to Hamilton Heights, Morningside Heights, the Upper West Side, Chelsea, down the High Line Park, through Tribeca, into the Financial District, and then finally at Battery Park. The day was full of highs and lows, fatigue and energy, sugar highs and sugar loooows, walking and running and sitting and stretching, laughing and some heart-wrenching moments...

While the day started with 8 ladies and at one point we had 9, there were only 5 of us who walked the entire island from 225th down to Battery Park. It was such an accomplishment and it's amazing how much closer I feel to those girls.

Below are some pics from the day. And, yes Georgina won the bet. We completed the walk around 11:30pm Saturday, June 1.

One of Abba's activities was for us to write down 5 things that New York has taught us. Here were mine.

1. To be vulnerable and let my close friends help me when I need it.

2. To walk places whenever I can.

3. To live with passion and go for my dreams.

4. To feel comfortable in my skin.

5. Not to eat legit Indian food without being close to a working bathroom.

Til next time you Concrete Jungle you.