Upon our arrival from Boston, we started discussing about issues of cultural and social heterogeneity and taking NY as an example, with scholars and local activists. We had the opportunity to visit Harlem where we discussed about the struggles of the African-American community, Queens where we had the pleasure to participate in a local towns meeting and Chinatown for an inspiring walking and eating (oh the fruits!) tour. Themes of race, poverty, gender, social rights and current political situation were always present in these tours & discussions and it was clear that probably all of us were trying to identify commonalities or differences with the situation in our countries, or in my case with the current European situation.  

The importance of creating successful communities and the need to identify and respect different narratives was paramount in our morning sessions and in my afternoon walks in NY. As you would probably imagine, from day one I have been walking up and down NY in an attempt to grasp the morning sessions’ input and the City never failed to deliver. Discussions with vendors, passers by, artists, curators, taxi drivers, new and old friends, added different levels of narrative and meaning, allowing me to demystify or many times to be re-enchanted with the City, its people and public and private spaces. Different layers of meaning, art and absolute randomness are a source of constant inspiration to the wanderer. It seems that my morning lectures were inspiring me to psychogeography endeavours, in the City and sometimes in me as well. In this point I should also speak about the High Line and my Favorite Theatre, but I will write a seperate post about my New Babylon Inspiration.

Take into consideration that we were living in Union Square (I love its diversity and artistic happenings) and I almost never used the subway at night, we were always walking back. The quality of these experiences could only be described by our silence. I was constantly amazed by the little surprises, the burst of creativity, the amount of human presence or absence just a few blocks away. A brief but heartfelt discussion with a ventor, the evening fog, an artist in the park, the discussions of young people on the subway were providing so much information and beauty. A feeling that I also encountered in Brooklyn after some weeks, when I had the opportunity to stay there.

Going to car shows can result in being able to take tons of pictures. Kind of like when you go to the woods, or the beach. Here in the Philippines, it’s pretty much the same. Except that there are times that the photographers turn less human and less caring for the things that are around them. Let’s get into the details. A few days after our adventure, I saw a post where a camera was haphazardly placed on top of a Skyline’s rear spoiler. And mind you, I’d walked past every car in that event, and I’d seen every car – including this car, which is a beautiful example of how long hours of hard work can turn a car into a piece of art that can actually perform.(Owned by Mr. Peter Seo)

It wasn’t my first time going to a car show, but it was a bit special this time because, i wasn’t a kid anymore. Most importantly, i found out that there will be car exhibits there from Classic Speed. It’s a place here in the Philippines that restores (mostly) my favorite car in the universe, the Mustang. Short background about my dream car: I was in 3rd or 4th grade when i first saw a picture of a 1969 Fastback Mustang on a magazine. It wa most likely a Hot Rod or Car Craft magazine since my father collects car magazines since the 60’s. I was already into cars even before i was even qualified for school, mostly because of my father.I liked Kitt from Knight Rider, Shaider’s blue Suzuki Samurai Jeep, Annie’s yellow Mazda, Batman’s batmobile, but when i laid eyes on the 69’ Mustang’s body style, i was obsessed instantly. When we got there, it was instantly clear that Php100 was going to be worth it. I initially thought that since we were in the Philippines, this event won’t be like the PRI shows in the states. (No i haven’t been there but i see it on magazines and on youtube etc.) But, MIAS2017 was damn good. There were displays from car companies and their new models. Car models. For some of you, yeap, there were Girl models too. But for kids like me, i was mainly there for the Cars. I was there to look or possibly touch that 1969 Mustang that Classic Speed built. Sort of like a tribute to the John Wick movie franchise. There were also some of the more colorful cars there with brightly colored valve heads, over the top sound systems, and over the top suspension camber. Then there was a place there where Takumi’s Trueno and Bunta’s Subaru was displayed. Both somewhat anime accurate. *Except for the fact that their steering wheels were not on the right side. There were beautiful old japanese cars there too, and classic Opel’s. Volkswagen cars old and new, godlike Ferrari’s, McLaren’s, Aston Martins and Porsche’s. There were a lot of hidden halls in World Trade Center where you will find the cool cars and dispays. There was a 1968 Charger with a 383 and 2 carbs, Datsun 240z’s, one was customized and one was restored, then there were tamiya mini 4wd race tracks, and remote controlled cars that drift. Then, we got to the really far end of the place where we found the car of my dreams. Seeing one again in real life after so many years since i was in grade school was damn moving. It kinda makes me upset that i can’t take it home with me and so happy at the same time to see a real car. Here are the pictures: