FOR THE LOVE OF NYC

When I think about the term exploration, in my mind it’s usually mission driven, and typically in some kind of extreme environment. But if you look at the definition of exploration it doesn’t mention anything about the environment or the mission, it’s a simple statement about going someplace new and making that place familiar… Exploration as it turns out can literally happen anywhere…

I love to explore urban environments, especially cities, they have a certain kind of energy that can be found no where else in the world. NYC has always held a special place in my heart, both my grandparents lived and worked in the city, my grandfather actually worked in Tower 2 of the World Trade Center. Anytime I get the chance to explore the city I try to go to places I have never been. New streets, new sounds, visuals, I love to take it all in and be present to it all. I live in Montana, and the environmaent is a stark contrast to the streets of a city, so for me it’s a real treat. My life has been a juxtaposition of mountain environments and urban landscapes. They are so completely different, but I am overwhelmingly drawn to both.

This last trip we stayed in Brooklyn, and I really wanted to go and spend some time in Chinatown. I have a good friend who grew up there, and he pointed me in the right direction. We went at sunrise and got to see the city come to life. It was quiet, slow, and magical.

There is something about early mornings in a city environment, watching the light creep over buildings, watching street cleaners, and vendors getting ready for the day. It’s a great time to slow down and take in the surroundings, and this morning was perfect.

To me this kind of exploration is my favorite. I am a very visual thinker, I need to explain the world through images, and I always try to look for moments that are fleeting, but have some kind of emotion in them. NYC, never disappoints, it’s always a treat to explore.

-K