We planned on parking the car in Newark because that is where another housemate Paige is from. In Newark we stayed with another JV community where I was able to reunite with two fellow SLU grads and enjoy the perks of having friends all over the country. (Seriously, I don't plan on paying for a hotel in any of the major cities across the country for a few years since I will be able to crash on JV couches.) It was such a joy to be with other JVs and experience the fellowship and hospitality of others who are choosing to live a lifestyle similar to mine this year. I am still amazed that folks make the year long commitment to live simply, focused on social justice and emphasizing spirituality in an intentional community. (Yes, tagline of JVC but still very impressive to me especially since I understand so much more of what this actually means.) After spending the night on some couches and being treated to delicious pancakes (of all kinds!) the ladies headed to the train station to make our way into the BIG CITY! We really had no definite plans and were simply excited about being there and relaxed about walking around and enjoying the people and beautiful weather. On Saturday we ended up walking over 6 miles (we had all of our belongings that we needed for the weekend in backpacks and totally looked like tourists as we maneuvered our way up and down the streets). We grabbed coffee with Liz's family, ate hot dogs, took lots of pictures as we walked fromTimes Square to Central Park and back to the High Line.
JVC in NYC!
At Toys R Us!
Times Square
Central Park
On the High Line
Saturday night we stayed in Brooklyn with another JV community and once again I got to see an old SLU friend who is in that community. (There are 6 SLU grads in the JVC East region this year.) While we were relaxing our bodies and feet at the Brooklyn house we decided to watch The Lion King which prompted an ongoing friendly debate...Mufasa or Simba as a life long partner? Your thoughts? After another night of couches, beanbags, and mattresses we were once more treated to delicious pancakes for breakfast before heading back to Manhattan for mass and visiting the World Trade Center.
Brooklyn brownstones
Random parade we came across.
We finished our weekend by enjoying a delicious, authentic Jamaican meal cooked by Paige's mom and with tired feet, full bellies, joy filled hearts, many new memories, and having only spent $40 each for the weekend we headed back home to Syracuse.
