I want to wake up in a city that doesn't sleep.

Virtual trip sponsored by the always willing, ever gracious Pinterest. :) 

I'm a conflicted person. Sometimes. . .I feel like the only "city gal" I know. Or at least, in my family. All my sisters love big trucks, corn fields, and guys in ball caps. Now don't take me wrong! I love country and cowboys and dirt (actually, I really do, :) ) but somehow the deep-rooted European in me just craves CULTURE. I like shopping and exploring and trying new foods. I like people watching, the fast pace, and popping into quirky little boutiques. If I could just quit everything right now (and had the money to do so,) I'd leave for Verona, or London, or Paris. . .and never look back. One of my top travel-destinations is NYC. And I love California. Especially San Diego.

Think I'm crazy yet?

The world is a big, exciting place, and the more I can be a part of it, the happier I am. Picasso said it best: "If everybody is looking for it, then nobody is finding it. If we were cultured, we would not be conscious of lacking culture. We would regard it as something natural and would not make so much fuss about it. And if we knew the real value of this word we would be cultured enough not to give it so much importance.

Naturally I was thrilled to the bones by this post. Susannah and her husband are stinkin' adorable together, her photography gorgeous, and honestly, the striped tights? Some people just get to be perfect. ;) But on top of it all, they captured NYC exactly the way I've always imagined it. Because what is a trip--any trip--without food, more food, and more food? And running in the rain. And taking in all the most random, crazy sights. Romping and spontaneous and unplanned. Actually, that should be the title of her post. "Romping around New York eating food." Totally. Reminds me of when I explored the Village of Claremont in California for the first time. I was all alone, my little bag packed and ready for a day on the town. And I did just that. :) It was adorable and whimsical and everything a little town should be. All these strange little shops like The Cheese Cave and Folk Music Store. Then stopping for a lunch-time crepe.

"I find New Yorkers incredibly engaging. They're like Parisians. . .cool and confrontational, in a good way, like they like a good debate. You walk into a restaurant and it's not full of people silently sitting in front of each other like it can be in England; it's full of people pointing fingers in each other's faces having a really good political debate, or whatever. London and New York are sort of unique in that they are not representative of the rest of the country they exist in. London doesn't really represent England-it's so multicultural and cosmopolitan that it's its own entity. [It's the same] with New York; that's why I'm able to live in New York." ~Richard Armitage

I see beauty and artistry in everything--in hidden alleyways, behind accented English, the way a man looks into a woman's eyes. Shapes, colors, sounds. Pretty things make my heart melt. Passionate things make it pound. There is whimsy in the smallest details, the way the rain hits the pavement, a latte all frothy and drizzled with dark chocolate. On the nosiest main street, in the most serene, romantic small town. Sitting outside, eating frozen yogurt. Random conversations in airports. Street-side musicians. Trying strange, local foods. Living life to the fullest.

So here's to exploration. Loud noise and flashing lights. Glob-trotting, traditions, spontaneity, people, conversation, and good food. This post didn't end up being much about NY at all, despite the cityscapes. ;) Just remember, before you exit this blog or log out of Pinterest for the day: "Travel. As much as you can. As far as you can. As long as you can. Life's not meant to be lived in one place." You don't need to go far. "Culture" is found where people are found--in coffee shops, books, music, cobblestones and puddles, a homey kitchen, or lurking around the next bend in the road. ♥