Mumbaikar in Manhattan

If there's one word I can use to describe my journey with i2 so far... it would be 'explorative' both in terms of learning and traveling. From Bangkok to Bangalore to NY to Portland. This job is sure like putting wheels on my feet. Have seen so many new places in this one year, I'm afraid I may lose count if I don't (b)log them down.

So, to begin with, was back from Thailand by end of June only to immediately kickstart work my next project. And while I was working on it, also managed to write an article in the Economic Times, present a paper at NITIE's Lakshya'08, caught up with the SP Jain gang to cut some B'Day cakes and watch some great movies thanks to AV.

Also managed to squeeze in an unforgettable trip to Mysore and finish reading Arvind Adiga's 'The White Tiger' just a day before it was awarded the Man Booker '08. Phew... now that was something.

And then, here I was! Suddenly all alone and jet-lagged in NY bang on time for the 'scary' :) Halloween Weekend. But I ain't complaining. A futile attempt to contact Mr. Kataria (who was partying away the Halloween weekend) and I knew I had to fall back on my backpacker
instincts and find my own way in this concrete jungle.


Easwar's reco to start off with Brooklyn Bridge was promptly accepted, the laptop bag was converted into a backpack, the Sony camera tucked in along with some pastries, and the next hour I was traveling on the PATH (like the Mumbai local) to the WTC memorial site, walking along the famous streets of downtown NY, into Broadway, across Park Street, a right turn and there it was!
The Magnificent Brooklyn Bridge, welcoming its visitors and at the same time bidding adieu to the setting sun.
And it did turn out to be the best Sunset walk ever.
OK, picture this now. The cool NY breeze blowing against your face, the glittering Manhattan skyline on one side, the Statue of Liberty standing tall on the other, athletes warming up for the next day's NY marathon and amidst it all like an icing on a perfect cake, the setting sun casting its magical spell with its yellow-orange hues.


It felt truly dreamlike to be at a place which you have only seen and heard about in the movies. Thanks EJ for your splendid idea. :)


And then it was time to head back, this time in a NY Yellow Taxicab, chatting with the cabbie who turned out to be a freelance writer. He said he drove cabs so he could interact with more people and get inspiration for his stories. Ah! that reminds me of the 'Taxicab Confessions', the hit HBO reality show that will be on HBO in 5 mins.

Time for me to sign off... for now. Catchya soon!