The weather has been much more agreeable lately, so I’ve happily decided to lift my “outdoor boycott”  for the time being. Besides the necessities of life, other great instigators for venturing into summer heat are visits from international friends! The allure of New York’s attractions was an almost gravitational force for me when I was growing up in Canada. However, the day I moved to New York and had to drive a U-Haul through the Lincoln Tunnel during rush hour was the day the wide-eyed tourist in me died forever. The first six months I was here, I was just happy if I could get to school on time without my head exploding.

Needless to say, I really appreciate when my friends come to visit. Not only am I happy to see them (of course), but the excited energy they hold for all that New York has to offer helps to breathe a little life into my own half-dead tourist (and that hidden desire to wear a fanny pack and hang out, on purpose, in Times Square).

One great and free thing we did was hang out in Washington Square. I’ve been there many times on my own, but always only in mid-commute with but a moment’s pause to enjoy the refreshing mist of the fountain. That day however, we sat there for almost two hours people-watching (including cute NYU boys in thick black glasses reading obscure po-mo beat literature), being thoroughly entertained by a hilarious Marcel Marceau type busker, and being serenaded by various street performers including a classical pianist (don’t even ask me how he got that Grand out there!)  Even though we were surrounded by noise and people, hanging out in Washington Square had an interesting and relaxing quality to it that only an afternoon at the beach can compare to.

I really hope I can find more cool and comfortable afternoons like that day in Washington Square. Even though my friends have gone back home to Canada, I plan, for my own sake, to keep that hopeful tourist attitude alive- at least for the next few weeks before school starts!