Anthony Perez. Half Dominican and half Puerto Rico, born in the higher 100’s of Manhattan, brought up through infanthood and childhood in New Jersey, teen-hood to adulthood in Central Florida, and currently, the foothills of South Carolina. My whole life consisted of a constant nomadic lifestyle. Not as frequent as the term applies and not typically crossing continents. But as far as the physical place called home goes, I’ve had many. In New Jersey, forget it, no explanation can be set in stone as to why my mother relocated 10+ times around New Jersey. But as for living in three completely different environments growing up, although my concepts in life were different, I can truly appreciate the privilege of living different experiences during the foundations of my very life. Not to forget, the ability to adapt to the scary concept of, CHANGE.

Obviously, no single piece of my mind can remember the first six months of living in the Bronx. But I can reminisce the amazing times had growing up in the urban streets of New Jersey directly across the Hudson River, high school and college (party) years in Sunny and very Hispanic Florida, and now my working days near the Appalachian mountains where you are bound to hear thick southern accents, Soda get called “Coke” and be addressed by “Y’all”. Working a regular routine job, with regular paid time off, with not so regular travel plans, it is not so easy for me to want to venture into territory already explored. Been to Jamaica already so went to Belize next. Going to Hungary soon, ready to see Portugal. On a similar and lighter note, it is much easier to revisit and live places at home in the states. But in regards to that limited time off issues I briefly stated earlier, domestic travel is often neglected, especially to places that require a flight.

It took a visit to Canada to make a stopover back home in New Jersey in 2013 plus a major health obstacle my father faced to make my way to Jersey for a short weekend. Home is where the heart is and so is family, a visit is most certainly mandatory. Although it took a beautiful wedding in Long Island another reason to return home, it reminded me of a perspective in life I already understand. It’s not always about the destination, it is about the people you share memories with in that destination. Another beautiful thing about my return to New York City and Long Island is the history long remembered. As time progresses, the mind grows, lifestyles change, environments evolve. From the simplest thing to how I see people and from the days of pay phones and pagers to now IPhones and Tablets. Years ago, I would walk around the city. Now, I walk around the city and notice the dozens of foreign languages passing me by. It’s like somewhere in the past two years, the mute button was clicked off. My perspective in love for people has grown in just two years. The simple feeling of BEING in the middle of Times Square was far more appreciated. Taking a humorous turn on things, I loved talking with New Yorkers. With my New York accent still intact, I feel well at home talking with strangers. One thing that hasn’t changed for me, is my love for riding trains in the city since childhood.

New York City is a well loved city, by locals and foreigners alike. Though I am not too crazy about city politics and cost of living, this is still my city and birth state. From the beautiful coastline of Long Island, to the subway system of New York City, to the rolling green mountains in the upstate (A region I have yet to explore). While I have spent the past 11 years of my life going back home to visit family, this trip was a unique one and going back home did a lot for me in many ways: reliving New York City in many new ways, being part of a beautiful wedding with a gorgeous sunset, and a visit to see my dad to end this trip off right.

Trip Video