Hudson River Park

So today I had some free time and I took the bus down to W55th to visit part of the Hudson River Park, as that is one of the things on my list. Every several wrong turns and attempting (and failing) to cross the West Side High Way, until I found a crosswalk. I then entered the Clinton Cove part of the Hudson River Park. The park is beautiful. There was a huge lawn where people were lounging and there was a nice dock with benches right next to the water that I decided to occupy. I sprawled out on a bench with a copy of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility and read for an hour. I guess the thing that most surprised me about this adventure was the calmness of the area I found myself in. It seemed like in this little section of the world, I wasn't in New York City anymore, and I could've been on a dock in Maine somewhere, or a beach. There were people kayaking in the river next to me, families walking on the path, dogs everywhere. It was all together a really nice place. There was also a bike path, that I am definitely more anxious to explore. I was really disappointed to have to leave this little piece of heaven, but I know that I will definitely be back to explore more of the Hudson River Park. I walked back to the bus stop feeling refreshed, and in a weird way I felt a connection to Maine that I had not yet felt in the city. I guess one of the hardest parts about connecting with the city for me was the anonymity of it. With none of my friends here yet, I literally walk down the street knowing no one. And I've become strangely accustomed to it pretty quickly I think, but it's still a strange feeling. At Bowdoin the "Bowdoin Hello" is such an important part of campus that it's easy to think that everyone in the world is friendly and welcoming. However, I am not sheltered to believe this as true. I haven't really had a problem without it though, which I think is great for me, to be okay with this. Another thing that's really strange about being here, is all the people I meet have this "new yorker" mentality that they want to share with me. They assume that because I'm from Maine I'm really nice and easy going and a little out of the loop. Although this might be true compared to them, they have this idea that the city is going to change me, to make me into this hard person, who's tough and ready to deal with anyone. I can't say that this isn't true, because by the end of the summer I may be sick of dealing with everyones bullshit and be that person, but I think it'll be interesting to see which of my character elements change, and which ones remain. I can't so I wouldn't appreciate becoming a little tougher, loosing some of my push over, nice girl mentality. I dont know, I can't really say but I will say that my first adventure of my list to the Hudson River Park, was truly a success.