New York City.
In the summer of 2024, I embarked on a cross country rail trip with my college freshman roommate Sayran. We both purchased USA Rail Passes from Amtrak and mapped a journey across the states.
The day we boarded the Northeast Regional was significant. The beginning of our 30 day ticket window and Sayran’s birthday. The brought us to Manhattan where Sayran lives with their partner Ephraim. We celebrated Sayran’s birthday in the park with friends from the city.
I also had a chance to head into Brooklyn with Jack and Seojin to see their corners of the world. It was surreal to see the adult versions of these old friends, and I was reminded of how much I love growing up.
The next morning, we eat some bagels with lox schmear (when in Rome!!!), did some laundry, caught a ride to Moynihan Hall from a friend, and just barely made our second leg to Chicago on the Lakeshore Limited.
We got a fresh air break at the Albany-Rensselaer, NY station where we had a chance for a hot meal.
We partook.