It was a warm August day on the East Coast, the noon sun was high in the sky, and the windows were down as I was scouring for a parking spot.

My boyfriend and dad were taking the day to golf in New York, so I took the car to get away and explore Greenwich, CT. I am not much of a golfer and I had an upcoming online exam, so I figured I would use my time to be productive with school and then after explore Greenwich, a town I had been dying to visit.

Luckily, I did end up finding a parking spot on Greenwich Ave., but this was soon the least of my worries. I had a loose plan held in my mind for how the day would go. I would park, walk around to see what stores and restaurants were open, sit down at one to take my exam, and then enjoy the remainder of the day shopping on the bustling road lined with shops from Tory Burch to Zara to local boutiques.

If only it were that simple.

I got out of the car, backpack on my shoulders, sunglasses on my face, ready to conquer this test and then stroll down the block. Immediately, I spotted a Starbucks right across from my parking spot and marched on over, thinking it was convenient enough. With the pandemic still being very present, I decided to peer around and see what I was working with. To my dismay, the Starbucks had no inside seating open, and they also did not have a patio. It was time for a plan B.

I wandered up and down a few blocks, not seeing any other coffee shops. I got back to the area of the Starbucks and saw a few tables set up in the street for outdoor dining. They were not attached to any specific business, and there was a table open. I snagged this table and pulled out my laptop. The placement of this seating area was just close enough to the Starbucks for me to connect to their free Wifi. Score!

I logged into the Wifi network and opened my Canvas page to then be notified by my laptop that it has 10% battery left. Are you kidding me?

There is no way that will last me long enough to get through an entire exam. Sweating from sitting in the sun and irritated from the morning’s mishaps, I decided to just walk around and try to enjoy the day.

I brought my backpack to my car while noticing my two hours were up on the meter. I got in the scorching hot black Jeep and opted to move my car to a different part of the shopping district. I found street parking on a side street one over from the main street with all the shops and begrudgingly began to window shop. I had planned on getting my schoolwork done so that I had no stress and could lollygag around Greenwich, but I was now just annoyed and had the weight of the work on me.

I happened to stumble upon a few tables and chairs on the sidewalk and looked up to see a cafe. How glorious! I peeked inside the windows and saw they have indoor seating as well! Oh joy! I scurried back to my car, grabbed my backpack and scuttled on back to the cafe of my salvation.

I walked inside and saw many two-top tables, bar seating, and a cozy nook of leather chairs. I ordered a coffee and a muffin at the counter and chose the cozy nook WITH AN OUTLET!

I happily plugged my laptop in and checked the time to see it is 1:30pm. I still have time to take this test and walk around afterwards. “Iced latte for Sophia,” is called from the bar and as I grabbed my afternoon pick me up from the counter I overheard the cashier tell a customer, “Oh yes I am sorry the Wifi is actually down today.”

Whaaatt!?

I went back to my nook, clicked on Wifi options, and saw that the cafe network will not connect. Eating my blueberry muffin and fed up with technology, I accepted defeat.

Left with no other option, I closed my laptop for the last time that day and decided to explore the city I traveled to.

I thanked the baristas and walked out of my once called salvation cafe. I brought my backpack to the car, threw it in the trunk, and only took my wallet and sunglasses with me for my next task, which is to try to have a good time exploring Greenwich.

With the knowledge that I won’t get the school work done, I moved on and immersed myself in seeing the beauty of the town. I shopped around and then went for a walk around the gorgeous neighborhood in the middle of Greenwich, CT.

From the store-lined streets to the towering houses, I was in awe of expensive charm. I had never seen anything quite like it. I strolled the residential blocks and popped into a few stores, including Aritzia and Restoration Hardware. Luckily all the shops were open and welcomed customers in as long as they wore a mask due to Coronavirus precautions. I did not end up buying anything, but I tried to capture the day by taking a few photos. I always like to look back on trips and the memories are able to shine through pictures. Then I sat in the Greenwich Common, a miniature park shaded by trees, with benches for tourists to relax on and for employees to take their lunch break near.

Finally able to take a breath, I was reminded of my love of travel and the ability to experience new places. I felt a ping of sadness reflecting on the time wasted trying to be productive when in a new and breathtaking place.

I realized I was not meant to be on my computer for two hours taking an exam (that is not due for another week, might I add). I was meant to enjoy the world around me and focus on my surroundings in a new place.

Greenwich was beautiful, filled with classic architecture, an array of shops, custom homes, warm weather, and the ocean just a mile away.

As I drove back to New York to pick up the boys from golfing, I smile about my hectic yet fulfilling day.