Friday, November 12, 2010

New York

Rae and I went to NY last month. It was our first time ever. Originally I was gonna go with some of my crew members for Evolution, hopefully, but guys being guys and bboys being bboys, plans don't usually work out accordingly. Eventhough I gave them almost a year in advance. smh. haha.

It started off with an idea of us going camping, seeing some of the Redwoods and Sequoia trees in northern California, but then after looking at the budget, it would've been more expensive to fly myself out and then the following week or so go camping. So I took her with me, and the adventure began.

We met  at JFK Friday morning, Rae flying from Phoenix and me flying from LA. Check in time was at 2 and since we arrived early we stayed at the airport for a few hrs. The first time purchasing tickets to the subway was confusing but we got the hang of it. Thank God for Google Maps and gps or else we would've been lost the whole time. We stayed the Union Square Inn. It has no elevator, just a staircase. Traveling 5 flights of stairs to get to our room. The staff was pleasant and the location was great. Right next to the subways, small shops and street vendors outside. We drank coffee everyday to keep our energy up, definitely didn't want to sleep in.

Our first day, after taking a nap, we walked around around and got lost. Ended up somewhere on the NYU campus. All I kept thinking was, "Wow, I was gonna go to film school here." After that we went to Time Square, then off to Brooklyn for Evolution day 1. It was a great experience, learned alot just by watching people get down, my favorite bboy to watch was Floor Phantom. The man exudes bboying at its rawest. Mr. Loose from 7 Gems came up to me, schooled me on some knowledge. I love that. I wish I was around more people who were like that. We stayed on the side cyphering the whole night. Not doing much else. Even Rae got down a little.

The next day we went to Central Park, then Rocksteady Park, then Empire State. Later on that night we went to  Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Rae and I made this pact that if she cyphers I'll go up at an open mic. Rae signed herself up. After all the crazy talent, I swear everyone was an mc, poet, or both, (The drummer was insane, rapping and drumming at the same time) Rae finally went up. She was the last one, she did so good. I was so proud of her but at the same time disappointed at myself for not signing in. I should've. Its once in a lifetime. I need to stop playing it safe.

Sunday we went to Jersey. I had to teach a workshop at the Funktion Dance Complex. Rae recorded. I love how she composes things. She has a great eye. The kids were great and Eric and Christina were great hosts. He took us out to dinner before dropping us off. We tried to make it to the Statue of Liberty but it was dark by then. So went to visit and pay homeage to Ground Zero. Where the Twin Towers fell. I can't even imagine how it mus've been like. Theres was a weird feeling walking through there that I can't describe. Rae felt it was well. Afterwards we went to Time Square again, this time sitting on the red stairs. We watched The Social Network at a theatre nearby then afterwards headed to a house club.

The house club was insane. So many people dancing. Everyone was dancing, grooving. The music was different too, more funky, chill, more soul to it than the house music that Im used to. It made me wanna dance. Rae went crazy. She goes into her own world when the right song comes on. For a moment I felt that, its been awhile since I've let that happen. There we met Suicide Kings by coincidence. Its good to see familiar faces. After the club was over we had to leave right away to the airport.

Our last experience before the airport, was in a cab eating in the backseat, stuffing our faces with Halal. So good.

I miss New York. I want to live there eventually. I miss Rae too.

This is a video compilation of our first experience there.