I adore New york for so many reasons. The city has always filled my heart with lots of inspiration from its diverse menagerie of people, food and arts. As a traveler, I love the experience of solitude that I have found amidst the bustle and energy of this great city. This year I went back for the same reasons; to immerse myself in some classes I was taking and to just recoup my creative self.
I went just in time when the spring rains were starting to give way to the summer breeze and managed to enjoy a bit of both as I walked my way to almost everywhere I wanted to go….arguably, there is no better way to see New York than using one's trusty feet.
Something about New York has the power to force the mind to become a sponge and start doing things. It is the energy I suppose. I felt so free to be working on interesting, hands-on and fun art projects among so many talented people. It helps to work on things that are a little out of our comfort zones. It brings the self in touch with wonderful possibilities and forgotten capabilities.
….needless to say the fresh ideas for a new chapters and beginnings.
Food was my other major preoccupation during my entire visit here. I'd often stop at the Union Square farmers market to gorge on the sights of local cheeses, fruit, bread, preserves and everything else. And to fill up my little pantry at home.
One can never get enough of the culinary pleasures in New York. Of this fact, I am convinced. Food is as intrinsic to the culture of New York as is the cultural diversity.
Looking forward to a hearty meal is one of the greatest anticipations of life and so full of joy. As you can see, food did me a lot of good and kept the heart warm and the creative juices flowing….among other things, culinary adventures were a part of my everyday life and I'm so inspired to keep it that way.
Tomato + Fresh Mozzarella salad. Prepared and made so beautiful by a dear friend.
Despite all those hours spent at some of NY's amazing galleries, my camera seemed particularly enthusiastic and sensitive towards food. Sigh. That's how I've ended up with so many photographs of food and more of it. However, I had the chance of making it to some of the very best art shows which I highly recommend if you are visiting NY during this time: Alexander McQueen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Kandinsky at the Bahaus at the Guggenheim Museum, Sonia Delaunay at the Cooper Hewitt, Elliot Erwitt at the International Center for Photography to name a few and several other smaller ones drew me in each day and kept my inspiration meter brimming.
There are so many facets to New York that it is overwhelming and scary to write about it in a single blog post which almost feels like injustice. Since this is about a personal journey, I can say that this photo essay kind of captures in a nutshell, the tiny part of this melting pot of a metropolis I got to experience this time around. I cannot wait for my next trip, and already have activities and plans lined up ! But in the mean time, I am so happy to be back home to where my heart belongs and to my puppies. And yes, I will definitely keep this blog more active and bubbling.