Mar 19, 2020
Grateful I didn’t take NYC for granted!
“Semi-shelter in place” unravels all kinds of nostalgia!
VB and I complete almost 3 years of calling ourselves ‘New Yorkers’ this March, and oh boy, what a rollercoaster it has been! Undoubtedly, New York thoroughly spoiled us with an avalanche of things to do and explore. And, I am not even referring to the food scene, the speakeasies, or the nightlife!
Yet, these days when the city does sleep after all, I find myself laying awake, pondering over the quintessential things that made me start falling in love with New York City — gritty but rough-edged, enticing yet magnanimous!!
Albeit, we live in strange times now, but rest assured, we will come out of this stronger — collectively in isolation (those who can stay in). A lot of self-gov and tons of self-love will go a long way in upholding the soul and ethos of New York — leaving it undeterred and gallant, as always!
So, as some of you may read this, snug in PJs at your homes, why not take a walk down memory lane, wherein I, for one, ________:
- Literally had the “Time of my Life” watching Dirty Dancing at Bryant Park’s Summer Film Festival.
Of course, the evening would’ve been incomplete without some wine & cheese and eventually culminated with some dancing.
2. Indulged in Nutella crepes at the Bryant Park Winter Village.
Yeah, it’s our favorite park come fall, winter, spring, summer.
3. Went for a run to Gantry Plaza State Park and watched the Manhattan skyline light up after sunset.
What a treat!
4. Discovered the MET Cantor Rooftop Garden Bar.
We quaffed martinis whilst overlooking Central Park and appreciating contemporary art installations on display. Need I say more?!
5. Partied inside MOMA PS1.
Who knew, right?
6. Exchanged whispers at the Grand Central whispering gallery.
Rumour has it that a guy once proposed to his girlfriend with a message whispered via these walls!
7. Harvested my own kale and basil at the Edible Academy, New York Botanical Gardens.
More from my visit to NYBG here!
8. Explored Governor’s Island. On foot. On a bike. To and fro via boat.
More from my Gov. Island escapade here!
9. Sipped on Aperol Spritz at the Collective Retreats, Governor’s Island.
Nothing like this perfect sunset paired with two Aperol spritz and a cheese platter. Oh, and live music too!
̶1̶0̶.̶ ̶W̶i̶t̶n̶e̶s̶s̶e̶d̶ ̶a̶ ̶l̶i̶v̶e̶ ̶t̶a̶p̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶D̶a̶i̶l̶y̶ ̶S̶h̶o̶w̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶T̶r̶e̶v̶o̶r̶ ̶N̶o̶a̶h̶.̶ ̶F̶o̶r̶ ̶f̶r̶e̶e̶e̶e̶e̶!
I had tickets for March 16th but, courtesy Covid-19 the taping was canceled, so I did my part of staying in and baked salted tahini choco-chip cakies instead.
11. Hopped on an NYC ferry from Lower Manhattan to DUMBO, Brooklyn.
Oh! So GORGEOUS.
12. Worked from the Rose Room at New York Public Library, Bryant Park. Just picture studying, reading, or leisurely journaling in this palatial room.
13. People watched whilst sipping a cortado on the MET steps.
Also, because you can end up walking 12k steps inside this splendid museum!
14. Got inspired viewing the Bushwick Collective Graffiti and Street Art.
So much global art and pop-culture right here!
15. Walked the Highline.
And of course, reached the Vessel. Does anyone else think it resembles a pine?
16. Experimented with design thinking and innovation at Cooper Hewitt Design Museum.
There was an ink pen made from pollutant waste among other insanely innovative stuff.
17. Saw some kickass artwork and storytelling at the Jewish Museum.
You won’t want to miss this one!
18. Attended a few Sofar Sounds!
Be sure to check them out if you haven’t!
19. Secured seats to watch Othello at the amphitheater in Central Park.
Thank you, Shakespeare in the Park for the best experience ever.
20. Gave Marilyn Monroe a desi accent @ Museum of the Moving Image.
For real, an unmissable experience for movie buffs to geek out and explore everything that goes on behind the screen — from prosthetics for great works like, Mask and Mrs. Doubtfire, to glass slides used with projectors for announcements and advertisements in the olden days.
21. Unwound with friends at the City Parks Summer Stage Music Fest at Central Park.
Such a fun vibe!
22. Lounged with friends at the Emerging Music Festival at Bryant Park.
What’s not to love?
23. Visited MOMA!
You definitely gotta visit it at least once.
24. Laughed my heart out at Comedy Cellar.
And went again. And again.
25. Saw one of my childhood favorites, Bend it Like Beckham, screened at Brooklyn Bridge Park with the Manhattan skyline behind.
Movie with a view like none other!
26. Went to the Morgan Library and Museum only to discover live jazz and a full-service bar, apart from the marvelous library interiors.
27. Got out my inner child at the Museum of Illusions.
Pretty fun stuff!
28. Got drunk watching Macbeth at Drunk Shakespeare!
Quite literally, the drinking club with a Shakespeare problem!!
I still have a bucket list to tick off, such as Guggenheim, MET Cloisters, Sleep No More, Boating in Central Park, and much more. But, for now, let’s sit back and reminiscence all that New York has to offer. We’re not done yet, NY!!!
No dampened spirits!!! Only dampened (soapy) hands.
~Musings from a socially distant human in Long Island City, New York~
