Weathering the Storm with the WP#53

Seeing the world through someone else’s eyes is a very powerful experience and, in my case, this past week has been no exception. She arrived Tuesday to America and as you all know by now, definitely one of the happiest days of my life. 
The cultural differences are definitely there and another chapter in our lives, learning more about each other, but most importantly, seeing this experience and this first week together from her eyes has been, at the very least eye opening.

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Starting in New York City, where else, and seeing some of the iconic places in the city that never sleeps. It should be noted that I am from New York City, even those most of my life was spent in Minnesota, but a significant amount of time was spent in the Big Apple. The difference this time, was seeing this city, the heartbeat of America from her eyes and her imagination versus her reality. 
We did the subways, the Empire State Building, at least from the outside, Central Park, Chinatown and Little Italy. We had New York pizza, New York Cheesecake and a Nathan’s Hot Dog along the Boardwalk and the sand. We went to two museums, the Guggenheim and Whitney (I had not been to either) and walked in many neighborhoods in Queens, Manhattan and a little of Brooklyn. We spent time at Chelsea Market and went to Ground Zero. We hung out at a Greek Diner with one of my best friends, Chris. She also reminded me of the importance of visiting my grandparent’s gravesite, which we did together the first morning. And every moment was special, sharing this city with her, seeing it from her eyes. Of course, was New York City’s reality different than her perception?
The other day, and for the weekend, we left and headed to Philadelphia, again , I had been to many times, most recently this past August. I had seen the main sights of the city and any tourist would do, but she, never having been here before, sharing her vision. We went to the Liberty Bell, Betsy Rosa’s house, and Independence Hall, but we also went to Little Italy, the Reading Market and the Philadelphia Art Museum. I had not ever been to these places. We did share a Philly Cheese Steak and met some of her friends for wine and tapas at the Barcelona Wine  Bar. We walked in neighborhoods I had never been and saw the Rocky Statue. The plan was to try and accomplish a few this and simply wander, and the goal and the focus was seeing everything in a whole new way, her eyes. Every minute and every moment, however mundane has been special and I treasure every one of them. She said she liked Philadelphia more than New York City and that is just fine. This trip is for her, first and foremost and for us secondarily. 
We are here at the Amtrak Station ready to leave for Washington DC and continue our journey together and see these places from her eyes.
As always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, questions and adding to the discourse is always appreciated be in on the site itself or on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you read this. Thank you for your support of this small business and it is truly appreciated.

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