New York

We lived in NY since 1994 when we first migrated from India. Though I was fascinated by the so named 'melting pot', the constant flood of new people crowding the streets or are they alleyways, tired me endlessly. This had only meant fewer seats during treacherous bus rides, stench to bear in the subways, and more toes to step on and get embarrassingly blasted away with profanity.

Little did I know that all the things I hated about NY would comparatively make Dallas look barren and boring. I was confused for the longest time about NY. Did I love it or did I hate it? This trip resolved the conundrum. It took me about 15 years to see NY for it's beauty. These pictures were taken all the way from Queens to Manhattan, East village to West!

Enjoy.

I love his colorful umbrella.



This is truly hilarious. Only NY can glorify McDonalds like this!



Red fire truck!



This was a really cool mat. The words are cut-outs from Malayalam* magazine and newswpapers.
Malayalam: One of the 4 major Dravidian languages spoken in the southern states of India. Spoken in Kerala, India.


Random street art exercised on a door.



Cobblestones



I liked the signs here coaxing people to go around. Everyone follows obediently.



Double decker bus showing off proud NY



A busy street



During gay parade



Glassy sky-scapers



Victoria Secret ad. Isn't this really lovely? I love the 40%off in red.



Random Kitty Statue as a public art exhibit.



I have no clue what this is but it was at a crossing



Really? Slow?!



Look at this beautiful street signage.



Busy streets



Side of a pub



I like the red



Pretty pottery



Curious New Yorkers



Street ads and graffiti



I really liked how they carefully painted the fire exit in green.



The Trump Tower



Count the ads on this one! There is so much information. You can have breakfast, lunch, some desert,
and watch Hangover!



Aah. Ofcourse, this had to be the last image. NY Police.

But I didn't know!

How many times have we blamed someone only to have them turn around with a bewildered look, defensively opening their arms out wide to say...

Rule of thumb: If this is said genuinely, forgiving is the best deed. :)

Taim

I am still going through hundreds of my NY photographs. Gosh! I didn't know how many I clicked away with that SLR.

Meanwhile, I thought I'd quickly sort through a particular series that my tummy thoroughly enjoyed. Taim! Deliciousness deliciousness. Located in West Village, under the shades of tree-lined paris-like streets of Waverly Plaza, an Israeli delicatessen extends personal invitation to realms of heaven with their generously stuffed pitas of hummus, tahini, israeli salad, hard-cooked egg, and fried eggplants (this that I have described is called Sabich). Coolly wash all of this down with date-lime banana smoothie and finally scent your buds with their sweetly sweet homemade baklawa.

They have mixed falafel and mediterranean platters too. Oh by the way, when have you ever been blessed with three differently flavored falafels? There's the Green traditional, with parsley, cilantro, and mint. The Red with roasted red pepper. The Harissa with tunisian spices.

Upon arriving back in Dallas, my mother-in-law who is here on a visit from India asked me, 'Why can't we email Einat Admony, the owner of Taim, to open in Dallas as well?' Sigh. If only...

I love their chickpea logo. How perfect!

Look at all the recognition.

Please enter the doorway one at a time. I advise from first hand experience.

Look at all the colors.

My father-in-law (left) and husband (right) eating away happily.

Clearly, my mother-in-law is here only to eat and has no time for paparazzi. :)



This is embarrassing to admit but my only regret is that I was in such a frenzy to eat that I never even photographed any food. :(
But courtesy and thanks to The Girl Who Ate Everything who took the most delectable photograph
of Taim's iconic falafel sandwich.

I wish I had

How often does time pass by and lines appear one by one demarcating what we could have, would have, but never did. I have always tried to stay away from feeling defenseless or helpless from not knowing what to do. I believe that each one of us should do what we wish we had. Time fleets and the only secret it tells us are these inner desires, longings, wishes and dreams that are awaiting to be enacted upon.

Here's to wishing you had.

Mixed Media: Water color and ink pen