At Last, I Have Arrived.

Written Sunday 2/21 when I still didn’t have internet…

My first few days in my new home have been relatively normal in terms of how moves go, I imagine. I’ve taken care of the normal, mundane stuff like buying a bed, setting up cable and internet to be hooked up, buying some furniture, getting stocked up on groceries, and exploring the neighborhood. I have to admit, it still doesn’t feel like I live here, like this is home. It still feels like I’m visiting, even though I’m getting settled into my new place and building furniture and unpacking. I wonder when the feeling of still being a visitor in my new city will lessen and disappear. For now, I guess it feels like an extended vacation with no end date in sight.

I do love this city though. Sometimes I forget I’m living in a big city; my neighborhood is cute and friendly and beautiful. I love it. I suppose it’s nothing incredibly special or out of the ordinary, but for West Coast-raised me, there just isn’t architecture like this in California. It strikes me every time I go out for a walk (which is all I’m doing out here, walking and metro-ing) how beautiful it is and how lucky I am to live somewhere like this for a period of time. Another thing I love about my neighborhood and where I live is how close I am to so many things. I have two metro stations in easy walking distance, a park around the corner that once the snow melts and weather gets nicer I can imagine laying in with a blanket and book and soaking up some sun, little cafes, markets, dry cleaners, flower shops, etc. all in the blocks around the park, and I’m another short walk from the weekend market and streets that have a high concentration of cute shops, bars, restaurants, etc. But I still live in a big city, and the constant symphony of sirens and helicopters that rattle my windows are testament to that.

I went to the weekend market with Jessica when I was out here visiting on my last two trips, and I made sure to start my first weekend out here with a trip to it this last Saturday. Ironically, Jessica is in California for her first visit back home, so I explored the Eastern Market on my own this time and enjoyed the sights and sounds and smells of it all. There is an awesome mix of vendors with jewelry, hats, scarves, pottery, art, and all manner of knick knacks and trinkets; there are also vendors set up outdoors with their fresh produce, local honey and flowers, and apple cider. Then, you walk into the Eastern Market building itself, and it’s a hustle and bustle of people cramming to get to counters to order every possible variety of meats, fishes, cheeses, pastries (the cheese and pastry counters are personal favorites of mine already) and freshly prepared breakfasts. It’s incredible and full of energy and smells amazing. It actually reminded me of being at a market in Maastricht on my visit to the Netherlands. I was overwhelmingly tired my first day or two out here, which sort of overshadowed any other emotion or feeling, but when I was walking around that market, I was overcome with a sense of pure, genuine happiness. I cannot wait to make it a weekly tradition to visit the market and stock up on my local Virginia produce, honey, etc.

Even though Jessica has been in California, her boyfriend Dan has still been in town and has been an incredible help. He’s taken me for a big Target and Ikea run to start to get some basic necessities and furniture… I now have a sofa, bookshelf, and lamp. Another Ikea run when Jessica gets back into town will be fun and will hopefully be the last trip for any furniture I need. My place is coming along slowly but surely. The bed I purchased gets delivered tomorrow, as do more of my boxes I shipped from home. Comcast will come on Wednesday morning to set up cable and internet, and my car will also arrive here in the next day or two. Everything is coming together!

I miss home and everyone back there, I feel so far away and a little lonely. But I am excited for this adventure, and look forward to the next week of continuing to get settled and make my place my own.