"You will never forget the smell." A honeymoon story

 You will never forget the smell.

It was a mix of nitrogen and hydrogen (I wanted to say ammonia, and what I meant was urine) fusing with mildew brought by the dropping temperature. 

Surely enough, the concoction is not the most fragrant. But your sense of smell will be inhaling the said aroma whenever you think of the city that never sleeps. 

I do not know how but that's what is still happening seven days after the trip ended. 

The Brooklyn Bridge

Like most people, I also have a list of places to visit before I die. As basic as it sounds, New York City is one of them. The name sits after Tokyo, which I am dying to go to for the World Marathon Majors, followed by London for the idea of bumping into Robert Smith and to watch endless rock concerts. 

After years of collecting old covers of The New Yorker magazines and souvenirs from The Met museum and pinning hundreds of boards on Pinterest, that day finally happened. 

Here's the sweetest part. New York was our honeymoon destination!

My husband studied in the U.S. in the '90s, so this was not his first, but it is for me. So I let him usher on our agenda and what to do, as long as we visit all the bookstores and see one Broadway show. We did. It was a mesmerising performance of Jefferson Mays on Christmas Carol. The Met was also one great decision worth repeating. Here's a quick tip: Wear comfy sneakers and warm socks. I did and it helped me stroll around without feeling weary. 

Basic tourist photo at The Times Square

To summarise the trip in one blog article would not be enough. This trip was mind-boggling in so many ways while at the same time allowing me to appreciate home even more.

The weather tested us to the bone in literal and figurative meaning. We often find ourselves walking through the narrow alleys of Chinatown for over-rice dishes because our palate cannot be satisfied with bread and pizza alone. My take on food may not be one to take notes from as my palate is 99% south east asian, so I pretty much eat solely for energy as I keep telling myself I will soon go back to my flavourful Indonesian dishes. 

The subway system puzzled me since I arrived. Luckily Yovan was excellent at it. Our encounter with homeless people and those under the influence of drugs was countless, leaving a different kind of despair in our hearts. Although, some of them preached real good about the return of the Messiah!

Certain things bring us contentment. 

A festive cheer that may have come too early if compared to other parts of the world. The city was dressing up for Christmas like someone wearing a Sunday best. Dogs are everywhere (their turds, some. So watch your step!). You meet them on subway trains, at restaurants, and at airports. You see them bracing for the cold weather in dog vests walking with their owners getting coffee and bagels. 

High Line

Yovan had his heart filled to the rim with delight visiting sneakers stores and revisiting some of his favourite places. All the bookstores got me all excited. I almost got myself exceeding the capacity of our baggage. Reunions with old friends were lovely, and meeting our Bali friends was unexpected!

Most importantly, Yovan and I got to know each other more. Some quirks only showed when we were away from home, so are habits we did not realise we had. All in all, it was a trip that brought us closer, and we promise to do it again someday when we are better equipped with thermal undergarments and maybe face masks to cover that distinctive smell. 

Ooh oh. There it is again. I can smell it. 

PS: We flew to Chicago and drove to Milwaukee during this trip and stayed for two nights. That story will need a separate space.  

PS.PS: Thank you sayang for this sweet and unforgettable honeymoon. 

Chicago. Teaser for a different post