I woke up the first morning in the city and knew my first stop. I have some favorites: walk a few blocks, jump onto the subway, and pop out in a bustling area, where people converge as they start their day. I slipped into a popular bagel shop to pick up one of my favorite city tastes—a bagel and fresh orange juice.
Getting a bagel and sitting among both locals and visitors feels grounding to me. I immerse myself in a taste of the daily experience. Of course, there are many daily experiences I don’t know and will never share. But this one is enough for me.
Several days later, a friend and I looked for a local bagel place in another area. We didn’t find one. We found other pastries and enjoyed sitting outside while locals walked through their Saturday routines. Her daughter soon called, earlier than we expected, and wanted to meet us at one of her bagel stops. It was so close, but we’d missed it. It was a treasure!
Located close to a hospital, many medical personnel walked in and out, picking up their favorites before or after their shifts. Others mingled into the line. I wasn’t hungry, but as I looked at the bagels, I realized I didn’t want to miss out. I’d take a few home.
“Can I please have one salt, one egg, one wheat, and one…everything? But please make sure that everything bagel is in a separate bag. I don’t want it touching any of the others.”
The man helping me chuckled and shook his head. As he picked up the bagels, he let me know if I bought five, I’d get the sixth free. I added two more but no more everything bagels. Plus, I reminded the man to please not let it touch other bagels. You might remember my disgust with everything bagels from the last time I traveled home with them. Evidence I love my mom—a lot.
The bagel man laughed again and warned me, “I think you might be hurting the everything bagel’s feelings.” I didn’t care. That smell permeates everything in close contact. But I knew my mom would appreciate the risk.
I enjoy dipping into the daily routine, but this is where I depart from the locals. They don’t pack bagels to take home. But my bagel moments give me a taste of what I love about the city and traveling in general. I like the moments of savoring where I am—whether that’s in my everyday routine or in someone else’s. It all flows together to sum my life. It’s not a perfect life, but I certainly appreciate and savor it.
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