友人に誘われて、ニュージャージーへ。
ペンステーションから電車を乗り継ぎいで、約１時間。
20年近く前に住んでいた頃は、郊外の電車にも乗り慣れていたし、
今でもよく車で通る場所なのに、なぜかショートトリップのよう。
ペンステーション近くで、ホームレスに叩かれたり、
ホームのない降車駅に戸惑ったり。
日常にない緊張感とワクワク感が混在する。
韓国系二世の友人が大絶賛するヌードルのお店で、
遅めのランチに舌鼓を打ちながら、お喋りに花が咲く。
帰り道。
西に沈んでいく夕陽を眺めながら、明日への英気を慈しむ。
世界中に、早く春がやってきますように。
I went to New Jersey with my friends.
It took about an hour from my apartment via Penn Station by train.
I was used to riding the suburban trains when I lived in New Jersey almost 20 years ago.
And I still drive by this place often, but somehow it felt like a field trip.
Near Penn Station, I was beaten by a homeless man.
In New Jersey, I was confused by the train station without a platform.
It's a mixture of tension and excitement.
We enjoyed a late lunch at a noodle restaurant that a second-generation Korean friend highly praised, and chatted with each other.
On the way home.
We watched the sunset in the west and rejoiced in the wisdom of tomorrow.
I hope that spring will come soon to the whole world.
