next time, though, you're all coming with me

[janeandsimple]

fourteen hours on a train was far less grueling than it sounds. i didn't even start getting bored until around hour ten. instead, i discovered that it was like medical testing: you're stuck there, so you might as well enjoy it. have naps. eat. read. listen to music. the train was mostly empty, so there was plenty of space to sprawl out, and an abundance of electrical outlets (making sure i have a dvd for the ride back).

so far new york feels no different than home, which is surprising. it feels neither big nor scary, and looks just like a particularly sprawling old montreal. rather underwhelming, and not nearly as impressive as i'd hoped. i'm finding that the magic is in the details of this trip. so far i have:

• learned all the neighbourhoods
• talked to stephen colbert
• eaten pizza
• found the coolest store ever
• seriously considered purchasing a fetal pig
• taken a cab for sixty blocks and paid only ten dollars
• shopped until 10pm, just for the novelty

today we go see a squid battle a whale to the death.