That which began to settle some days ago
is starting to feel almost natural today.
I'm somehow gently caressed
by a steadily growing sense of belonging.
Back home in Sweden
small groups of people move about on the weekends
The streets may not be entirely empty
but there's still a sense of loneliness there.
Even among crowds.
But here it's the other way around.
There's so many people everywhere
that even when I manage to find an empty spot
the city breathes beneath my feet.
It's not just the people. This very place is alive.
Who would need to be social
if they never felt alone.




I went for a long walk. Camera in back pack
and Animal Collective on my Ipod.
It has somewhat become
my resident soundtrack these days.
I've tried to switch to other stuff
but find myself returning to them.
I think it's because their album
is the most childishly free, flipped out,
trippy, happy and least predictable music
that I got on my entire Ipod.
Suddenly everything else
sounds boring and depressive.
I end up with their track "In The Flowers"
on repeat for hours.





I walked 'til I finally got to the edge of the city
where the colorful lights of neon faded
and walls gave way for nameless spaces.
The air was different here.
Clear and fresh. Somehow bright.





And I smellt the sea. It's scent filled me
with something I can only describe as love.
I found it here at the edge of the city.
The feeling I'd fogotten I longed for.
And it didn't leave. It wasn't fleeting or passing.
It stayed. Lingering with each breath.
Faithful. Untreacherous.





I walked slowly along the coastline
and saw the sun go down on New York.
Runners. Skateboards and roller blades.
Couples holding hands. Girls on bikes.

On my Facebook a friend in Stockholm had written
that Animal Collective comes here to play in may.
I won't miss it for anything in the world.