The American Philosophical Association Eastern Division meeting starts Monday in New York and Sarah and I decided to come for the weekend before it begins, because why not?
On Monday (today) Sarah heads home and my conference begins but before that we’ve been racking up thousands of steps in the city that never sleeps, many of them up and down subway station stairs, some of them with luggage. And I’m happy to report that my new knees are holding up just fine.
I’ve blogged before about my knees and New York. See here and here. And I’ve also blogged lots about my time in New York for the Five Borough Bike Tour. See here and here.
This visit we saw Carmen at the Met Friday night and Prayer for the French Republic Saturday night. We managed the pricey culture by standing in a very long line for discount tickets and my knees were fine. We also stayed in one of the Pod hotels and dined on pizza slices some of the time.
Sunday was a day of visiting with New York friends during the day and philosophy friends at night.
But through it all, I kept walking. It feels so so so good to be able to do that. I can even stand on the subway now without the instability causing knee pain. Twice, though, people offered me seats. I was worried that without my cane that wouldn’t happen. But either New Yorkers are getting nicer or I’m looking older and I’m still being offered seats on the subway. Likely it’s some of both but I’ll happily take it.
Before knee surgery, my walking was so limited that getting groceries was a challenge. Often, Sarah would get them, and I’d wait in the car.
I’ve been nervous about traveling with my new knees. The only accommodation I’ve been making is wearing my Hoka running shoes everywhere. They really are the best. I had hoped I wouldn’t need to do that. And so I guess when I go to Europe this summer I’ll be that ridiculous North American doing non athletic things in athletic shoes.
