Amreeka Trip [Two] New to New York.

New York City

What can I say about this city that people haven’t already? Numerous Hollywood movies and TV shows have taught us that NYC has to be our aspiration, especially in our 20s. And once you’re there, it really isn’t hard to understand why. Unless, you cannot for the life of you, handle a big city, lots of tall buildings and people from all over the world – then you’re probably lucky enough to have not caught the bug. I say lucky because then you don't constantly keep day-dreaming about a someday.  

Archita and I were in New York for about 5 days. Events of day 1 or rather, day 0, are on my first blog post about Amreeka. It felt like an intensely long day for someone who had partaken in a trans-Atlantic journey, was battling jet lag and had put all her trust in United Airlines for the safe return of one of her bags.

Thursday night seemed to ring in the beginning of the weekend, or perhaps every night was like that in Williamsburg. My first night in New York, I slept a sound sleep. It was sound as in satisfying but sound also as in music from the drag club next door. Of course, our adventure at Newark airport had ensured we were up for most of the day and were therefore, challenging jet lag. Us – 1, Jetlag – 0.

When I woke up next morning, it took me a while to realise that I was waking up in one of the greatest cities of the world, far away from home and family (well, sort of - because really, if you're Indian, you have family almost everywhere, or friends of the family). And it was only the beginning of my incredible summer abroad. Could this BE any better? (That was sort of a 'friendly' hint. Heehee)

It took a full night’s sleep to truly appreciate the apartment we were staying in. Divija’s home was gorgeous and I had a half a mind to take up a corner and live there forever. I had heard of New York being similar to Bombay – rents were high, space was scarce. When Divija offered to have us stay with her on our visit, we were grateful but I remember wondering if there would be space. Not that it would have been an issue, we would have managed. But wow. When I imagine moving out of my parents’ home, I imagine living and sharing an apartment like this one. The morning got better – my ‘lost’ bag arrived.

Clockwise: The High Line; Inside the Chelsea Market; The Friends building exterior; Lambrusco; Frrrozen Hot Chocolate; Serendipity 3; A wedding shoot at the Grand Central Station

High Line

Our first stop that Friday morning was the High Line. It ‘is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevatedabove the streets on Manhattan’s West Side’. The weather was great – bright and sunny but pleasant (something we’re not particularly used to, back home). The High Line is an interesting place where one can probably spend hours people-watching. The vantage point it gave was akin to wearing heels but still being incredibly short – the skyscrapers always win. In any case, it’s a nice walk with the Hudson on one side. There are options for snacking, shopping as well.

Something I personally believe in, and have heard of a lot of people agree with, is that the best way to explore a new place/city is by walking. You take in a lot more about the place as you pass stores, restaurants, people, etc. I’m not suggesting walking to reach every place you plan on getting to – fairly unrealistic. But in an area, walking might take you where you may not have ordinarily gone or see things you wouldn’t have otherwise. New York is a great place to walk and explore, with the timely help of the subway and cabs, of course.

And so, walking from the High Line lead us to the Chelsea Market. It had an interesting, eclectic mix of stores and eateries. It was also really pretty inside. We basically did some window-shopping and found our way out. It is an upscale flea-market, if I could say that.

Those who followed my posts on Facebook and Instagram during the trip are aware that it was a semi-American-film-and-television-pilgrimage. It wasn’t intentional pilgrimage, neither was it complete. But the blog posts will hint at the same as well.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

The next stop had had Archita and me extremely excited. Growing up, the one thing we automatically associated with New York was (much like many of those in our generation who saw American television, I guess) FRIENDS! While the TV show was based in New York, it wasn’t actually shot here. But the exterior of the building in which most of them lived in exists in Greenwich Village. The Central Perk Café, opened briefly to celebrate the 20 year anniversary, had closed by the time we visited New York. So we gladly accepted the building exterior. You know a show has a major following, 11 years after it ended, when people tell you how jealous they are that you got to see the exterior of a building from that show. The area near Bedford & Grove, where the building is, has gorgeous houses btw. 

We decided to look for lunch on Bleecker Street – quite possibly the location of Divija’s future home! The area had a lot of options from Korean to Indian to Italian food. We Yelp’d it but also took a long time to find the perfect place (read – with some vegetarian options, that fit our budget). And I think that the three of us would agree it was the best decision ever. Strangely, Pagani – our final destination – had been the back-up option from the moment we started looking. Italian and Mexican restaurants are usually either default or back-up options for vegetarians in the Yoo Yes. (I’m not counting Subway).

Bleecker Street

We were probably the only customers at that time (late-lunch) at Pagani. Our waitress was a Russian student – pleasant and really helpful. Apart from being forever grateful to her for what will follow, I remember her for saying, “These are Italian portions, not American” when we placed our order – her way of encouraging us to order enough/more. She was right, by the way. They were definitely un-American portions (we were able to finish what we ordered). When she asked us what we wanted to drink, Archita and I were apprehensive, since we’re not used to this (since we usually have ‘fresh lime soda’ or coke). But we looked up the wine listings and we asked our waitress to suggest something. What she did next would blow your mind. I’m kidding – I just wanted to try writing that because most articles or videos on my feed seem to come with those claims. She brought us the Lambrusco – a sparkling red wine. And it was love at first sip. I hardly know anything about wine, so I wouldn’t even try to pretend. But I do know what I enjoy and this was definitely it. It made our lunch as complete as it could ever get. We have fond memories of that afternoon.

Grand Central Station

After a lovely lunch, we headed to the Grand Central Station. I had seen it with my parents on my last trip to New York. However, the agenda was two-fold. You see, my cousin Archita, is a cheesecake fanatic. Ordinarily, she is a calm, poised young lady. But you mention cheesecake or one comes in her field of vision and you hear squeaks of excitement like you wouldn’t have ever expected. And so, obviously, we had to go top off that perfect lunch with the first cheesecake of the trip at Junior's Most Fabulous Cheesecake and Desserts.

Grand Central is certainly grand. It is worth a visit – regardless of whether you plan to board a train. The architecture is mesmerizing. People from all over (the country/the world) are caught up in their own pace, perhaps meeting a loved one or catching a train to a meeting or heading back home. Or even, having a wedding photo shoot. It’s the stuff of Humans of New York posts! As long as you don’t get in the way of someone. It also has a whispering arch or gallery, close to the restaurant area. Basically, it has that acoustic property where you can hear what the person whispered, while standing at the diagonal arch.

Serendipity

After Grand Central, our final stop for the day was Serendipity 3. PilgrimageAlert. I remember it from the movie One Fine Day, as well as Serendipity. More dessert is always welcome. Of course, there is almost always a waiting period at Serendipity. So we spent our 20 minute waiting period taking photos, hoping Brandon Stanton showed up. The interiors of Serendipity are … exquisite. It reminded me of Luna Lovegood’s home. You gotta love(good) Luna. 

Serendipity is known for its Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. Of course, a warning to all of you who plan on trying it - make sure you remember its an American portion and you're not semi-full from before. One of the reasons I know I can never make it as a food blogger or be called a legit foodie ever is because I do not describe food well. Its creamy, dreamy and chocolatey - slightly crunchy. Its amazing. But I think I'll just let the photo do the talking. Serendipity also has this Guinness World Record dessert - the Golden Opulence Sundae. It costs 1000 dollars and requires a reservation 48 hours in advance. Someday. :) In any case, dinner was out of the question, post-Frrozen-Hot-Chocolate. 

We ended the day by walking to the Pier near Divija's. It was late at night and very quiet. A perfect time to gaze at the Manhattan sky-line.