This city overwhelms. You underwhelm. This city is a massive ode to skyscrapers and a testament to human vision. You are the ant from the metaphor. This city is all about New Yorkers, for New Yorkers, by New Yorkers. You're not yet a New Yorker.
And then you are.
The New York skyline
Skyline under construction
At Herald Square
Okay, not all of a sudden, but I did read somewhere that it's just one of those cities that even visitors suddenly grow to identify with, and take on the title for. Unlike my city of birth, Delhi, I add quickly. It's such a beastly city, that nothing explains its draw. Except for the space, the green, the parts that are planned, Khan Market...Oh I digress. I love both, don't get me wrong, but one you can actually explain away, and the other to outsiders makes no sense whatsoever.
On to our culinary field trip. An ode to a Nutella crepe: I first had one in Manali eons ago, and had two in fairly quick succession here in the city I now officially heart. (I'm lying, I've always said I heart NY, but that was as a tourist!)
Chocolate fabulosity
Naturally there's fabulous Thai food to be had. This is where I was called a Coconut for the first time. A friend if I eat spicy food. I said "moderately" (well, moderately for an Indian!) but the whiplash! "What, are you White?" he asked, causing me to crack up, but he did proceed to call me "Coconut" a few more times, just for fun. (Not a coconut. Just making my peace with chilli. This is like when I was 10 years old and a parental unit told me I was clearly "not Indian" because I didn't like mangoes. I had to explain later the insect discovery in the pit, to be fully reinstated!)
I did get around to one of the two Saravana Bhavans in the city, courtesy a desi friend with a dosa craving. Not bad at all! But go for it make your best dig about eating "Indian" videshi-style!
Dosa, New York style
We didn't get to all that's on show and tell in this city but here's what I'm talking about. When it's not bands in metro stations or violinists or guitarists or beat box boys, there's mimes like this one.
Marvel, but give me your money
And then the people I get meet on the job: Carl Lewis who will be commentating through the Olympics for CNN-IBN, from London. He's tall and fit and pretty entertaining, I'll have you know! There's Fareed Zakaria and his team at the CNN New York bureau (it's surpisingly similar to our office, newsroom and studio but completely different, though I know that makes no sense). He's charming and you get the sense he's got your number pretty quickly too. Phew!
You'll hopefully be seeing more of Zakaria and getting more of his analysis in the run-up to US elections on CNN-IBN.
And today, I'm scheduled to meet Deepak Chopra and his children Gotham and Mallika, as they have a launch party for his new youtube channel!
"Wisdom for the masses!" (A Trademark Line I got from me sister)
Except now blistering barnacles! It's pouring! And while it's a relief from the oppressive heat (I tell you, 36 degrees in the shade, in my non-AC room...they had better weather back home!) - I'm not a Mumbaikar, so really, I don't navigate monsoon-type storms all that well. Don't worry, for you, I'll brave it!
Tweet me @amritat and the team @ibnlive with your feedback!
More about Amrita Tripathi
Amrita Tripathi is a news anchor with CNN-IBN, and also doubles up as Health and Books Editor. An MA in Philosophy from St Stephen's College, Delhi University, she has also taught a few undergraduate classes at her alma mater, informally! When she is not tracking health issues, Amrita is busy chasing the literary dream. Her debut novel Broken News was published in 2010. Before joining CNN-IBN, Amrita worked with The Indian Express.
Amrita Tripathi
Empire State O' MindLike all good desis, the foreign trip starts with the packing. The over-packing, to be precise. Gone are the days when we'd sit on suitcases to make them shut,
