it was the best of times, it was the worst of times

If anyone has been following the news at all, you would be familiar with two prominent themes - the upcoming US election, and the financial crisis. It is intriguing to be in New York at this time, where people are very politically informed, and it's not at all unusual to hear discussions of politics on the subway or in cafes...usually carried on with much vigour and hand waving, and borderline shouting. It's also surreal to be right in the middle of the city at the centre of the worldwide markets. I was walking around downtown one day, saw a bunch of news vehicles parked up, and people milling around on the street. I looked up and it was the Lehman Brothers' building - the people were staff, emptying out, standing around chatting, since the bank has just declared bankruptcy. It was bizarre to think that I was there, standing right next to an institution that would be on the front page of most English speaking news papers, and perhaps a few foreign ones too, over the few days following. These are indeed interesting times in America, and right now, I love being here.