And finally, at home. After almost a month (26 days to be precise) since our arrival in New York, we were so looking forward to settling into what will be our new home in this amazing city. Entering last Saturday into our apartment was one of those memorable moments that we’ll keep. It was being aware that the dream became reality, that we were really living in New York City.
Doing so in an apartment completely empty, without a single piece of furniture, gave it an extra thrill and charm. Let me put this into context: several years ago, when Fernando and I decided to give this American idea a chance we decided to go all out and so we sold our furniture to being able to freely and lightly moving if the opportunity arrived (and yes, of course there were sentimental items that felt difficult to leave behind). It could have gone wrong, of course, but it worked out well (great, as a matter of fact). No risk, no glory. So last Saturday we access an empty apartment, just like when we got married almost ten years ago, when we only had a bed. We ate pizza on the living room floor, with the suitcase as a table. The three of us (Porthos waiting for something for him) in our NYC home. True happiness.
Here in New York furniture is definitely much more expensive than in Madrid, so even though we had this cool idea of looking locally for pieces of furniture, we ended up realizing buying all our furniture in Manhattan stores would be unaffordable. Ikea and internet turned our best options (though we found Ikea running out of stock for lots of items due to covid). So we bought some things there, and lots of things online (I’m now a pro in buying furniture online, If you ever need me!)
To receive the pieces of furniture one by one (“family, we already have chairs!, “on Friday we will get the table, Fernando!”); to unpack The Spaniel Studio’s material and gradually get it ready; to walk around our neighborhood, next to the East River and surrounded by cool terraces where you want to have whatever -the point is to get to know each one-. On Sunday, to celebrate, Mexican food at Maya, a place we loved and we will take our friends to when they can come. Hopefully soon.
A week, in short, to familiarize ourselves with our new life here, with the excitement of new beginnings. I’m guessing living here is going to pretty exciting.
Thanks for being here. Next week, more ♥
