I've got to be a part of it, New York, New York!

It's Saturday and that marks the last day of my journey to the "City that Never Sleeps" a.k.a New York City. What I thought would only be a run of the mill vacation, has turned into a cultural and emotional odessey. I got lost in Greenwich Village, SoHo, and Chinatown while looking for the Bowery Poetry Club. I found myself in hidden dark alleys, subway trains taking me uptown when i was trying to go downtown and thumbing through albums in record shops when all i wanted to do was keep warm."

i am now happily nursing a sore back and blistering feet. these are only symbols of my trip here. yesterday's day of getting lost in the lower east side prepared me for today's protest march in time square. it also taught me to make sure i know where im going because a bathroom isnt promised. last night i found myself praying, running and sitting on any available step to keep my bladder from exploding.

so here is a recap of the last few days of my journey:

thursday: was horrible and my heart cant bear to mentioned it.

friday: walked around the lower east side. saw the infamous cbgb's, got my afro-cuban jazz on at the bowery poetry club, walked the same streets as edgar allen poe and allen gingsberg and got inspired to write again after listening to mahogany brown at the nuyorican poets cafe. cant forget how i stuffed my face silly at angelica's kitchen and moby's teany resturant. both of which are vegetarian resturants. everyone must try the vegan strawberry shortcake at teany. i swear they are lying about the ingredients. that cake was a toe curling sensation.

saturday: 3rd year anniversary protest for the war in iraq. we marched on the topic of ending the war and closing the recruitment offices down. it started in times square and ended at the united nations. went back to the lower east side for some slam poetry at the bowery poetry club. i performed RAPE MUSIC during the open mic and met some awesome people. i then bounced back to teany for another slice of strawberry shortcake and mocochino.

now: im trying to figure out if it is possible for me to get to brooklyn in the morning to shoot some pictures for dj rod-1. i hope we get a late check out. our plane doesnt leave until 6pm which means we have to be to the airport by 4. i knew i shouldve done this today. im going to attempt to wake up in the next 5 hours, hop on the subway train, take pics, not get lost and make my way back to the hotel before 12pm. i think i can do it.

in order for all of this to happen i need to get some zzzzs. more on the enlightenment part of the trip on the rebound.