Week one of our Nomad stay in New York has completely met our expectations and then some. I’m not sure I yet have any kind of organization around our stay or how I’m going to capture it, but some themes are emerging.

Read more: NYC Weekly Review

Personal Wellness. Larry and I have both been trying to prioritize health and wellness. We have found the local YMCAs and have managed to get there most days this week. Between the gym there has been an incredible amount of walking this week. Even on my “rest day” I’m at 15,000 steps. The record this week was Friday’s 33, 500 steps / 15 miles. We are getting good sleep and making time and space for self care.

Architecture. It’s clear that I know next to nothing about the amazing and varied architecture that surrounds me. But I am amazed and delighted, seemingly around every corner. Clearly I know nothing and have so much to learn. I love that we are located close to both the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.

Food and Drink. Yeah…. New York City is incredible for the myriad cuisines on offer. While we had most meals at home this week, we also enjoyed Indian food, Mediterranean food, Korean food (twice), French food, outstanding bakery offerings, and stellar coffee. And of course, pizza. Pizza could probably be its own thematic category going forward.

Cultural Opportunities. This week I attended Purlie Victorious and Moulin Rouge on Broadway. I also went to the Morgan Library and Museum. And, together with Larry and our good friends Kevin and Tereza, I spent a rainy Saturday afternoon at the Met, getting blissfully lost and remaining unguided as I wandered through incredible art. Larry and I also took the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. My ambitious goal is to attend at least one Broadway performance and visit at least one museum each week. We shall see if that’s sustainable.

Personal Expression. I am trying to make time daily for writing, reading, photography, and correspondence. I’m trying to figure out when and how this blog, Instagram, and Facebook come into play. I don’t really have a set rhythm there yet. The blog is for anything and everything. The @empty_nest_wanderings instagram is for some regular images of our nomading adventures. Facebook is for occasional updates.

Somewhat in this vein of personal expression is making this temporary rental apartment a home for our two months here. For me, that meant some rearranging of the existing items and adding plants, herbs, and fresh flowers. I really like our apartment. I am not used to having a doorman or having to go to the basement to to the laundry on pay machines. But I am getting the hang of things.

Learning my Surroundings. A big theme for me this week was getting familiar with our neighborhood and starting to get a grasp of Manhattan and its public transit systems. I’ve wandered to Husdon Yards, Upper East Side, Lower East Side, Hell’s Kitchen, Theater District, Madison Park, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, and a bunch of other neighborhoods in between.

I tried to walk as many streets as possible as I made my way this week. Whether it was to Time Sq or Trader Joe’s, I looked for new routes, and while on those routes tried to pay attention. Sometimes it worked. But many times, while walking I would realize I was deep in thought. And while I am always attentive and aware of my surroundings, NY has a wonderful way of giving you some privacy, even while walking down the street. You’re watching your step, you’re watching the cross lights, you’re taking in the architecture, and maybe you’re seeing those around you, but you could be walking in step with someone very famous and you might not know. And even if you did know, it wouldn’t matter in the moment. You just keep walking. I like the pace here.