It’s a typical Portland day in NYC. The sky is overcast and rain showers sporadically dump water on the people walking the streets.

New York smells delicious. This seems counterintuitive considering its a huge metropolis, but the streets permeate with a plethora of sensational smells. The city is alive with culture. And lots of food.

I woke up and impulsively decided to take a yoga class. After a quick google search I found a donation-based studio 18 blocks from where I was staying. I quickly got myself together and booked it out the door. Being the stubborn, money-conscious ginger I can be, I decided to walk instead of take a cab. By the time I made it to the studio I was half drenched with rain and sweat.

The studio, Yoga To the People, is a donation-based studio. I first stumbled across one of these in Portland and they are becoming more popular across the country. You pay what you want and leave feeling refreshed and revived. The space itself has two floors, with two studios of brick, wood, and fresh air. I had a tourist moment when I got super excited to ring the bell and get buzzed into the building. While the rigorous vinyasa class was not heated, I was dripping sweat by the end due to the humidity of the city. Yes, the city is very, very humid!

Wandering the streets has been my favorite activity so far. There is so much to stumble upon. I found a random smoothie stand where the owner gave me a discount because I told him about Yoga To the People. I purchased the best iced coffee from a small and warm Russian restaurant. My first day in the city still continues, but it’s already been so interesting and rewarding.

The trek continues!