There has NEVER been a time in life when I thought about going to Vermont. Like, not for nothing. I really saw no purpose other than to say I did it. That and syrup.

When I moved back to the North East Corridor, my thoughts on certain places began to change. I had to take a job to St. Albans, VT (about 15 miles south of Canada) and it was a little interesting. Cold, but definitely interesting. This included all of the little towns we'd pass through. I wondered if I could ever really live in towns like that. The people were pretty nice and the negative whatever degree weather wasn't so bad since I'd run from the platform to my cab who was always waiting upon arrival. They only bad part was the that the layover was so short. You really didn't have time to do much other than eat and get ready to leave in the morning.

Fast forward a few months, I now have to go to Rutland, VT instead of St. Albans. Rutland was different. Still a small town, it seemed to have a lot more around. On a long layover, I decided to take advantage and walked around since there was a few strip malls at the main road. I found an Applebee's type of establishment to have lunch at before I got ready to get back on the road. It was extremely obvious that I wasn't from the area. I sat at the bar and the waitress promptly came over to introduce herself and to let me know of the specials.

The group of 6 or so men sitting across from me kind of just looked at me and continued watching the game. One lady was sitting next to me and soon after, another joined on the other side of me. Both were pleasant and we exchanged small talk.

Being the only Black person felt slightly weird yet powerful. I went into several stores afterwards and it was the same case. People just looked. Of course, I had my headphones in and didn't pay it much mind but I still felt the stares.

Although I didn't get to really enjoy the scenery and explore much, what I did see was beautiful. I was actually pretty upset that I couldn't get more pictures. Part of traveling is being open-minded and willing to do things you wouldn't normally do. Luckily for me, I was paid to do it so I definitely took advantage.

Experience things.

Another early morning in the Greatest Place on Earth. Another picture to add to the dozens that I already have stored. How can you ever get tired of it? There's always a new color, pattern or effect when you think you've seen em all.

There's something about this time of morning that comforts my lonely commute. Today was unusually still. The people outside were at somewhat of a slower pace. They were almost still. My eyes didn't have to dart all over the place. My focus was so unfocused. Silence had completely consumed me. I could hear myself think. I could see my reflections in the storefront and lobby glass. My footsteps rang for blocks at a time.

If there was ever a moment of unsure certainty, this was it. Everything made all of the sense and no sense at the same time. Things that I'd been trying not to think about made their way to my mind. Things that I had tried to forget were nowhere to be found.

I was at my very own dynamic equilibrium.

Oh, how I love NYC.

"Oui j'ai pleuré mais ce jourNon, je ne pleurerai pas" - The Weeknd

There really is nothing like visiting a new city. It's even better when you're getting paid to be there. Although it was cold (I mean, it is Canada), Montreal is a beautiful city. There was no shortage of variety or people. Arriving later on a Sunday evening, there was no doubt in my mind that it would be a ghost town. To my surprise, it was pretty lively. I did hear that it was a college town but I had no idea it would be so busy. It wasn't an overcrowded busy but definitely displayed signs of life. After having dinner at Italian restaurant named Da Giovanni, I called it a night. A few hours later, I'd be on my way back through customs.