NYC 2026 - Week 11
Sliding into Cape Cod
ROAD TRIIIIIIIIIIP
You guys! I’ve been procrastinating on this blog. I just don’t want this adventure to end. But that’s the harsh reality: week 11 has passed. Even U.S. Customs and Border Protection has informed me via email that my stay is almost up. There is no other option for me than to face the facts. This chapter has come to an end. But who says I cannot write my next chapter in NY into reality too?
Before we look ahead, let’s look back at last week, when I found the means to travel to a few other states of ‘Murica: Rhode Island and Massachusetts. My dear friend and I booked a bus, a car, a hostel, and a ‘bostel’ (Airbnb) to start our joint adventure. On the itinerary: Providence, Cape Cod, and Boston. All just a one-hour drive away from each other and only a 3-hour bus ride away from New York.
Unfortunately for my friend, I started the trip with a heavy case of PMS. Cranky and irritated for no good reason, I was having a bit of a tantrum on day one. As a solo traveler, a single person for five years, and an independent entrepreneur for two years, I was not entirely ready to make joint decisions or to ‘give in’ to other people’s wishes—especially since, as my fellow ‘bleeders’ know, when you are on your period, you don’t know what you want at all. I’m very grateful my friend was patient, understanding, and open to communication. Because on day two, after having a morning protein shake and listening to some good music in the car, the tide had turned, and we were able to have fun again.
4th of July parade,
Woods Hole
IMPRESSIONS
On day one, we visited Chatham, a cute little town in the ‘corner of the Cod’. It was a very touristy place with small, overpriced shops selling all sorts of merchandise and souvenirs: T-shirts, sweaters, stuffed animals, caps, straws, can-coolers, and whatnot. To be honest, it was not really my thing. The people there looked like they wanted to be in the Hamptons but couldn’t afford it. And note this, my dear European friends, if you wish to have a drink in Massachusetts: bring your passport or they won't let you in (as we unfortunately learned the hard way).
The beach, however, was incredibly beautiful, and being next to a big body of water gave me a temporary break from my PMS tantrum. The water was so refreshing, and in the 36°C (98°F) heat, my head and temper could finally cool down.
On day two, we took the car to a more wholesome town called Woods Hole (which, funnily enough, almost sounds like "wholesome"). I immediately fell in love. There was a lot of nature, with the ocean close by, and we arrived just in time to see the local Fourth of July parade. People were dressed in DIY costumes as all kinds of colorful ocean creatures. Everybody joined in: kids, teenagers, college students, parents, grandparents, and every other member of the family. They were divided into small groups, each having their own little cause to promote and their own soundtrack to keep the vibe alive. Looking through my camera lens, I especially loved seeing all the genuine emotions on everybody's faces. Most of them were happy, except for a few kids who were battling the heat. It was quite the contrast after being in NY for a few months. They all felt connected to each other by the love for their hometown, their ocean-, or science-related cause, and that is why "wholesome" left me feeling completely "Woods Hole."
Days three and four were for Boston and Providence. And honestly, I don't have such big stories or impressions of either city. Maybe it's the fact that New York can make you a bit numb to ‘normal’ cities, but we both couldn’t put our fingers on what their identities were. To put it shortly: Boston is a place for students and families. Providence isn’t even for families, but mainly for students, since Brown University is located there. Oh, but one more thing about Boston: Little Italy is the place to be. I hadn't had Italian food the entire time I'd been in New York (besides a slice of pizza), but this place called Benotto served a mean eggplant parmigiana. We both enjoyed our meal in silence while listening to the owner talking in a juicy Italian accent to the people sitting at the bar.
Nonetheless, I’m happy I visited these places. I will say, though, I’ll go a bit more prepared next time. It’s good to be a "go with the flow" kind of person, but that's not the same as being oblivious to what you’re getting yourself into, is it?
What a day close to the ocean can do to you
THE FINAL DAYS
While preparing for this blog post, I’ve been ruminating on what this trip has brought me. A much-needed practice, because full disclosure: I’ve been panicking a little bit. In my head and in my heart, I had the expectation that something big would happen. Something that would give me a new direction in life. An opportunity that would cross my path and give me ‘the break’ I need as a starting entrepreneur. I’ve been hard on myself again this week. Thinking that I haven’t done enough, that I haven’t done the right things, that I should have been smarter about planning my time or reaching out to professionals and creatives. I should’ve, should’ve, should’ve… But that doesn’t really help, does it? And while ‘hoping’ something will happen can be very romantic, isn’t romance kind of dead?
Well, I did come up with a list of things this journey has brought me so far, and to be honest, they are all priceless.
As a teenager, I used to be incredibly shy. Now, I can walk into any place, sit by myself and just start a conversation with anyone who happens to sit next to me
You can’t judge a book by its cover. How a person looks (at least to a certain degree) doesn’t tell you anything about them. Everybody has a story to tell and all stories should be heard.
With a million of things to do on a daily basis, I’ve learned even more how to listen to my body and my Soul to know what I want and need at any moment of the day. My mind is there to help me find my way, but it’s my body and my energy that lead the way.
I was finally able to take the time to really fall in love with my own art: writing, storytelling, and diving more into photography. While textile art gives me that soothing feeling. I’ve realized that my true passion lies more in the connection I can make with people. I love hearing stories. I love using my eyes and other senses to look at and experience the world in my own way. I love finding the right words to describe my thoughts and my feelings. I love it when I can embody something. Making a garment, or designing a new embroidery is only a part of the process. It’s really everything you can find surrounding it.
Week by week, I received messages from my small community, asking how the trip was going. My community checking in on me reminded me of the grandness of this adventure. It was a much-needed reality check, since my head can sometimes be kind of small and worrying about something being ‘not good enough’.
I learned to make decisions a lot faster, knowing that my choices are the right ones for me. Or if it wasn’t the right choice, it just meant more information for me to keep in mind the next time I have to decide on something. I actually know very well what I want, and being here taught me that it could really be within arm's reach.
For my final days, I want to go roller-skating one more time. I want to connect with a few companies here, introducing myself and all the qualities I now dare to claim as my own. I’m gonna dance my ass off and sing my lungs out with my NY friends this weekend. I’m gonna enjoy every single day as if it were my last. I want to feel all that happiness, gratitude, love, and pure ecstasy in all my cells, so I can bring it home and bathe in it for as long as possible.
I hope you have a great week too and write you next week !
With love,
Naomi/Numi
