So here I am in the "Big Apple", with its larger than life sky scrappers looking way up at them makes me go Ooch in the neck!
First I would like to share certain obsessions I see people here share in common! The one thing that tops the list from what I have seen here are the "Nail Spas" - duhhhhhhhh yeah I too take care of my nails, paint them in colors as wild as orange & yellow!!
But really, like you can find these "Nail Spas" offering all kinds of high end packages to beautify those little spaces at the tips of your fingers!! All for what, as I see most women buy funky colored, jeweled & sparkly nails straight off the rack & stick them with nail friendly glue that comes with it!!
Moving on from nails to all things futuristic!! Well I'm not talking technology or gadgets, its all about Pyschic / Tarot card readers who can be found almost in every street corner, with crazy shop windows - offering economic deals (it costs money to know how much money you'll make here :P).
From obsessions to ways to earn a buck or two, I must say its quiet amusing to see how the homeless & jobless ask you for money here. As we were on a train ride, the train slows down at the station, in come a flurry of hurried commuters & as they walked in - i heard a sudden announcement, which went something like this "Hello ladies & gentlemen, how are you doing today? I have just been fired from my job & looking for a few bucks enough to get me dinner tonight.So please help me out".
Then just yesterday while out on my first day out alone - I notice this man with a gigantic personality sitting by the pavement hugging a dog & a cardboard in front of him read - "I am jobless & homeless but my best friend has not left me. Please help me". The last of my experience so far was while I was walking up the street to Times Square, saw this man standing with a dog next to him, as people pass by - heard him say, I don't need money but can you buy me a drink at the bar (there was one right behind where he was).
Next was my observation of eating habits in this country by & large. A few months ago, I caught an episode from Oprah's final season - and it was about a typical American's food habits. I heard then & know now that ironically fresh produce here is far more expensive than a burger or a pizza which you could get for just under 2$ - which is exactly why you can see most people at large departmental stores with carts full of ready-to-eats. But what I also got to is that if you are a smart shopper you could get fresh produce & cook a healthy meal for your whole family by keeping an eye on store coupons & discounts!! The point I want to make out of all this is that, growing up on freshly cooked food every day,every meal - to the freezer & ready-to-eats becoming your best friend - is a moon of a change & that's the one I am trying hard to stay clear of!
Lastly I want to talk about what us most Indian's miss most while here are those familiar sounds & smells. I know it's not even been a week since i moved here, but I can already feel it. The sounds of vendors selling fresh produce, the locality women coming out of their homes for a little chat or even just walking into your neighbors house for a chat, the sudden deafening silence in the suburbs & yeah I miss spicy/chatpata street food.
I guess I've said enough already, more to follow soon. I'm having fun sharing this with you all, hope you enjoy reading it too.
Ciao for now
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