The Diary of Anne Ku

22 July 2000 Saturday

CROWD OF CROWDS

I had looked forward to this day - to shop at Century 21 department store in the financial district. The previous year when I had stayed at the Millenium Hilton during the Summer Sales, I found so many bargain clothes.

This time was a disappointment. There was nothing, NOTHING I liked. It was a waste of my journey. Not easily discouraged, I went to Chinatown in search of the dried red dates my mother had told me to get. There were crowds of crowds of crowds. I just wanted to get away.

As it got hotter in the day, I went to Macy's. Last year I had found some delightful summer dresses. This year, it was another disappointment. I walked around the big store until I got utterly lost. There was nothing I liked. So I went to the Manhattan Mall, smack in the centre of town. There I found a pair of shoes which fit well. Nothing else.

Was it the crowds that distracted me? Did my preferences change? Were the goods no longer appealing? What happened? Why did I experience such abhorrence for crowds and shopping? I miss the tranquility of my home and garden. In this city, there's nowhere to relax and recollect my energy.

Ironically, in the evening, my friends took me to a really noisy and popular restaurant. I lost my appetite just looking at another crowd of crowds!

yesterday

tomorrow

20 August 2000

I had jotted down my thoughts of the day during my travels. Now that I've FINALLY unpacked and cleaned up my room, I found these notes. So I will now "back-fill" my on-line diary.