I leave for Burma in about two days, so I figure I'll post a bit about what I've been doing in the build-up to my trip. The last week has been pretty hectic trying to set all my affairs in order before I leave the country for what will essentially be five months (as I'm only back in the states for a week before starting my semester abroad in Scotland).
Tuesday my best friends from high school came up to Providence to visit, so between hanging out with them and running a ton of errands I was kept decently busy. Wednesday we went to Narragansett beach, and for the first time in Rhode Island I can honestly say that the water was incredibly warm and pleasant, if a little packed with seaweed. I was lucky in that my friends' visit coincided with the mammoth task of moving all my possessions out of my dorm room in time for my Friday bus to NYC. The work was made much easier with a few extra sets of hands (and my friend Dex's 315 lbs. bench press max), and despite the rain we got everything moved out with little issue.
Friday came and I parted ways with my friends to board my Greyhound (nicest one I've ever ridden, with black faux-leather interior, outlets, and wifi that actually worked) to the Big Apple. Its been a couple of years since I've been been to New York, and obviously things have changed. The touch screen televisions in the back of all the cabs are a nice touch I have to admit. In short time I met up with my friend from Brown who I'm crashing with these couple of days, and dropped off my stuff before heading out to enjoy the nightlife- a pleasant change from that of Providence (virtually nonexistent). Saturday and Sunday were spent doing some touristy things: Central Park, Grant's Tomb, the Met, etc. There was a political rally happening outside Grant's Tomb which was kind of annoying, but the Met was enjoyable on sheer immensity and cheapness.
We went out again Sunday night (where else can you say that?), and I've now caught up to the present. Today I may go to the Empire State Buildling, or perhaps forgo the long lines and expensive admission for more cost-effective activities like taking worldly photos of myself outside the UN. Might boost my cred with my IR professors, who knows.
