I’ve spent the past fourteen years of my life living in the hustle of New York City. I went to New York University, started my career as an software engineer and then spend the past ten years working in the technology sector. The past eight years I’ve worked at the same New York City based SaaS company, living in the same Queens apartment and, before COVID-19 turned my life upside down, followed the same commute to my desk where I sat in front of my computer from 10:00am until 6:00pm (if I was VERY lucky).
When COVID-19 hit everyone’s live were put on hold, my office closed swiftly and unexpectedly. Just a few miles away from where I slept hospitals in Corona, Queens was absolutely ravaged by the pandemic. The fear in my neighborhood was palpable. We were all afraid to do just about anything; grocery shopping, grabbing coffee, ordering food, grabbing a drink at the bar, riding the subway. All little activties we took for granted everyday were slowly taken away, either cancelled by the governor or thing we’re were just to afraid to do.
There was another feeling that I felt with an overwhelming intensity. I felt utterly and absolutely trapped.
Without a car and too afraid to ride public transit with the pandemic sweeping across the city, I found myself walking the same two mile radius around my apartment. But I needed to getaway.
I documented the cities and the driving times between them in a quick and dirty bulleted list. Starting in New York City and circling all the way back to in a two month trip.
I knew I was dreaming, even if there weren’t travel restrictions. There was the moral dilema of being one of the people that could carry this sickness and deliver it to others. But planning that imaginary to have me a sense of excitement I had been missing.
I would be lying if that weren’t the first time I thought of an escape from NYC. It had been something in my mind for while, long before the pandemic. But there was always something that kept me here.
This time, the pandemic has really put into perspective what is really important. During the height of it, Abby activity could be be a risk to you or the people you love and you’d have to ask yourself if it was really worth it. Convience friends weren’t really a thing anymore as we all found our safe “social pods” with friends we trusted to do the right thing to keep us safe.
As things started opening up and the reality of a post pandemic works started to take shape this thought hit me. One day, I’m going to look back at this moment and wish I had gone on that Road Trip.
So, my bags are packed, my car is loaded and my pup and I are ready to go!
As my adventure around the country continues, I’m going to be documenting my visits to other cities and the people I meet along the way. While I don’t have a particular goal for this trip besides being present for each of my visits.
Follow my journey!