I spy with my little eye

Let the Sunshine In

2011-12-06T20:04:00.002-05:00

I hate dreary days in Manhattan. I can take the rain and I can take the cold but both together are the worst combination ever. In India when it rains it is beautiful. You smell the fresh mud as the monsoon cools down the sizzling hot ground. In New York when it rains all I want to do is curl up in bed and do nothing. My bones get lazy and efficiency is at an all time low. Today was such a day; the rain was annoying and slushy. This day reminded me of how great it is when the sun shines. This took my thoughts to Portugal and the time I spent in the Algarve - the southern most tip of Portugal. In the Algarve the weather is perfect; you lie on the beach, swim with the fishes and take long walks. The sunsets are gorgeous; I have never seen so many colors and beautiful cloud formations ever in my life. On dreary days like this I look back to the lovely experiences that the sun has given me and I know even though it is hiding behind those clouds today, it will come out tomorrow or the day after and bring back the warmth; until then I seek it under my covers in bed.

DOURO VALLEY

2011-11-06T12:03:00.008-05:00

We were leaving the flat lands behind and driving up and into the valley. The scenery changed to curvy roads, mountains, meandering rivers and beautiful vistas. For this part of the trip we stayed in a farm house called Quinta de la Rosa that overlooked the Douro River. The pictures show how tranquil and serene this place is. Not sure whether it was the altitude we were at, the creaky wooden floors of the Quinta or the mosquito nets that hugged our beds at night – but something about the Douro valley just put us in a very relaxed state of mind

One of our day jaunts in the Douro was to a place called Quinta de Romaneira. This Quinta is tucked deep in the valley and we got thoroughly lost trying to find it. The gentleman who owns this luxury farmhouse is an avid collector of all things unique which include interesting artifacts from various Portuguese colonies, an insect collection from Brazil, a dining table made from a huge African tree truck and old carved chairs from Goa. One of my favorite things about this place was the infinity pool that overlooked the valley – I could laze there for hours. Click below to see some pictures from the Quinta:

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Another memorable experience was the dinner at DOC – which is Rui Paula’s restaurant by the Duoro river. My mouth still waters when I think of the scrumptious 7 course meal. The food was fantastic but never before have I been intrigued with the lighting in a restaurant as I was here. Below are some shots I took not of the food but the unique light fixtures.

We tasted a lot of wine in the Douro Valley. Wine from Portugal is not as well known; but they can stand up to some of the best wines in the world. The Douro valley was relaxing and surprising; sprinkled with many treats along the way. The next stop was Porto where we would discover the lovely world of Port Wine.

Fairytale Land

2011-10-29T18:47:00.001-04:00

I want to live in the place of angels, unicorns and elves

Where the sun shines everyday and rainbows have a pot of gold at the end

Where there is fairy dust and your dreams come true

As you sleep the moon sings a lullaby to you.

Portugal is such a place

Press Play and click on show info to read where these pictures were taken.

NO planes, NO Trains, just Automobile

2011-10-03T21:19:00.004-04:00

We picked up the car in Lisbon; this was very exciting as the adventure of driving through Portugal was about to commence. I was the designated driver for the trip and enjoyed every bit of zipping through the countries magnificent highways. There was almost no traffic and the zipping was controlled by Ms. GPS who warned me every time I was going too fast. The two things that made this drive a breeze was the GPS, we almost never got lost and the automatic gears which saved us as the further North we went the more winding and narrow the roads got. After this trip I have come to the conclusion that THE best way to discover a country is to drive it. We could take detours as we pleased, stop to take in the scenery and leave whenever we wanted. No planes, no trains, just our automobile – we were master’s of our time.
Evora was the first destination we drove to. We stayed at the best Bed and Breakfast. It felt like I was at home; sitting on the comfy couch reading my kindle with a glass of red wine. The organic food they served was scrumptious. The B&B is run by a couple from LA (Nina & Peter) who spoke fluent Portuguese as a result of their Brazilian descent. It was the perfect home away from home. Evora is a cute little town – the one ‘must do’ is to find a restaurant called Botequim da Mouraria it seats only 8 people so get there early if you don’t want to wait. A hole-in-the wall place that is run by an old man – Domingo; who charms the front of the house while his wife – Florabel; cooks with much agility and skill at the back of the house. You will taste authentic delicious Portuguese cuisine here. We visited the city of Monsaraz that is not too far from Evora. The white washed walls and cobble stone roads set against the beautiful vista of lakes and mountains were breathtaking. There was not a person in sight and almost felt like I was in a movie – beautiful and surreal. Herdade de Esparoa is one of the biggest privately owned wineries in Evora and a must visit. We got to crush the grapes, walk in the fields, drink the wine and eat one of the best meals of the trip. Below are pictures that I took along the way:

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Lishboah

2011-09-25T21:53:00.002-04:00

Lisbon – a city of seven hills with white winding roads that are so narrow you can barely tell they exist, as you wind up and down them discovering the city one hill at a time. Almost all the buildings have colorful tiles on the outside that make each one of them look majestic; specially when glistening in the sunlight. We spent most of our time roaming the city taking it all in; visiting castles, monasteries and monuments. Sampling Portuguese food was on top of our list. We ate our first exquisite (10 course) meal at 100 Maneiras. We were fed cod on a clothes line among other strange but delicious delicacies. Another hotspot I would recommend is A Travessa – a restaurant that is situated inside an absolutely breathtaking old monastery. One thing we noticed about Portugal was the lack of people. No place was ever crowded and come afternoon the streets were deserted no matter where you were. We visited near by towns of Belém and Sintra the former has the best pastel de nata at Café Pastéis de Belém. Pastel de nata is a traditional creamy custard pie that is sinful ! Lisbon has many area’s (Bairro Alto, The Alfama, Chiado, The Baixa) that you can walk up and down endlessly. The city is full of white cobble stone roads, monuments, fado music and amazing food ! Stop one on our Portuguese journey was delightful.

Quin·quen·ni·um /kwinˈkwenēəm/: (Noun) A specified period of five years

2011-09-18T21:12:00.005-04:00

My mother and I do "mommy - daughter" trip every five years. It is not something we planned on doing – it just happened. Ten years ago the destination was Italy, five years ago Eastern Europe and then this year we decided to take on Portugal. Of course much planning was done in advance (mainly by mom); and nothing could keep us away. Not Hurricane Irene in New York who hit the weekend I was leaving and not the Portuguese Embassy in India who could not issue a visa for my mom because their systems were down. After much drama she got a hand written visa the day before she was to leave! It was touch and go – we had Scotland as our back-up plan just in case the visa did not come through; but it would not have been the same.

We spent fourteen days, driving one thousand eight hundred and ninety four kilometers from one end of Portugal to the other. I highly recommend driving through a country – it is the best way to see all of its nooks, crannies & idiosyncrasies. The highlight of our trip was the food. We (I mean .. mom) had done some serious research on restaurants and chefs. Our gastronomical experience spanned "hole in the wall" establishments to simply sinful tasting menu's at much acclaimed Michelin star restaurants. The hotels we stayed at were varied and added to the entire experience. In Lisbon and Porto we wanted to be in the center of it all and stayed at a typical city hotel; while in Condexia a Nova we chose an old traditional Portuguese house. We stayed at the best bed and breakfast I have ever been to in Evora; and in Pinhao it was a farm house (Quinta) that made amazing Port Wine. Finally, we ended our holiday in the Algarve at a Spa Resort right by the beach. Complete relaxation before getting back to reality. Driving, eating, drinking, taking it all in - It was quite a trip. Below is a glimpse of what is to come as I take you through my Portuguese journey in pictures and words.

Let’s Run Away

2011-07-21T21:50:00.006-04:00

What if you could live another life. What would it be? Would you live on an island in Greece or would you want to have lived in another time. Movies have been made and books written that deal with time travel or living a life other than your own. A few weekends ago I was surrounded by the 1920's. First I watched Midnight in Paris which is a story told (only the way Woody Allen can) about time traveling to the 1920's in Paris. It was so romantic, mesmerizing & whimsical – every character wanted to escape to a place other than their present. The other 1920's experience that weekend was at Governors Island where we came across a 1920's themed day - everyone was dressed as they would in the 20's dancing the day away. It was magical to watch people escape into a time that seemed simpler and easier.
What is the fascination with wanting to live another life? Why do people want to escape the present? Be curious about what was and what may be - but enjoy your now because it isn't coming back. Below are some pictures from Governors Island that capture the 1920’s era that was.

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Manhattanhenge

2011-07-12T21:59:00.001-04:00

Today was Manhattanhenge - it is when the sun aligns perfectly with the Manhattan grid. One of the many things that you learn when you live in Manhattan. I have been meaning to go view this semiannual occurrence but never got down to it - till today. I walked to 34th street with my husband and kept complaining along the way; there are too many clouds in the sky, its too hazy, we are never going to get good shots. Of course I thought that we were the only two crazy people to walk 25 blocks in the heat. We turned the corner onto 34th street - and oh my; there were 100's of people waiting for the lights to turn red so they could jump to the middle of the road and capture this perfect alignment. I am surprised no one got run over. See below pictures from the amazing Manhattanhenge. I am sure centuries from now when people dig up the ruins of Manhattan they will wonder if it has any significance as we do of Stonehenge today.

When Life Gives You Lemons....

2011-07-11T20:04:00.002-04:00

When life gives you lemons .......ride a bike.

I bought a bike last year and I absolutely love my 2 wheel wonder. Riding a bike reminds me of my childhood - being carefree with not a care in the world. For the few hours that I am on my bicycle I forget the million things that are looming in my ever fertile mind. My favorite ride in Manhattan is along the west side highway. The Hudson River keeps one company along the bike path that leads to either Fort Lee or the Cloisters (depending on the turns you take). Swerving in and out of traffic also is thrilling; the cab drivers are your worst enemies on the road - so you have to be careful; but the adrenalin rush of beating traffic is so worth it ! Nothing better that riding in the summer and then sipping some lemonade to cool off.

Kachra

2011-04-16T14:20:00.005-04:00

Kachra in Hindi means rubbish. I was introduced to this dish by my grandma’s cook. It is also known as Bhurji or Akuri and is yum specially on a rainy day. I think my cook called it Kachra because he would use the leftovers from the night before that would have gone into the dustbin. The secret to yummy Kachra is three fold use lots of chopped coriander, be lenient with the turmeric and make sure the consistency is wet. Below are pictures and the recipe; takes about ten minutes to make and serves 2.
Ingredients: 1/2 an onion finely chopped, 1/2 a tomato chopped, 1/2 a cup minced fresh coriander, 1 teaspoon ginger chopped, 2 teaspoons turmeric, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, 2 curry leaves, 2 chopped green chili's, 4 eggs, 1 tablespoon oil, pinch of red chili powder, salt to taste.
Method: Heat the oil, throw in the curry leaves, onions, ginger, chilies. Let the onions brown. Add the tomato, turmeric, pinch of red chili powder, salt, coriander (powder & leaves) - mix well for about 2 minutes. Lower the heat; add in the whisked eggs and stir so that it does not stick. Turn the heat off when cooked. Make sure that it is not overcooked and still moist. Serve with hot roties or bread. Enjoy !

Mommy, Me & Molten Chocolate Cake

2011-03-26T18:18:00.004-04:00

Last month I was chatting with my mother and I almost fell off my chair when she said, “I just got this amazing recipe for Molten Chocolate Cake.. and it is so easy to make”. Now you might ask, why did I fall off the chair? Well, let me explain; in most traditional Indian families the woman is not only the queen of the house but most certainly the ruler of the kitchen. However, my family is a little different. My non-traditional mother has never entered the kitchen, as a result I was utterly surprised when she mentioned molten chocolate cake, cooking and easy in the same sentence. I slowly discovered that the cooking bug had bitten her; not only was she cooking cakes but also lemon meringue pies, asparagus soufflé and lamb stew. I now look forward to mother & daughter bonding over recipes which, until now, were restricted to father - daughter conversations (Yes, my dad is a fantastic cook!). Below are the pictures and recipe for MCC – pretty easy and a lot of fun !

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RECIPE:
455g best-quality cooking chocolate (70% cocoa solids)
50ml (less than quarter cup) hot espresso or good strong instant coffee
125g butter, plus extra for greasing
6 eggs, free-range or organic, separated
200g caster sugar
100g ground almonds
100g rice flour
1 small handful chopped hazelnuts, toasted
Melt 125g chocolate with the coffee, then pour into small ice-cube moulds and freeze until hard. Take 6 small 3 inch pastry rings, dariole moulds or cappuccino cups and grease well with some butter. Place in the fridge while you make your sponge mixture. Melt the remaining chocolate with the butter in a bowl over a pan of boiling water, then in a separate bowl whisk the egg whites with the sugar until firm. Fold the yolks into the cooled chocolate and butter mixture, then add the almonds and flour. Finish by carefully folding in the egg white mixture. Preheat the oven to 190ºC/375ºF/gas 5. Take your moulds out of the fridge and spoon a little mixture into each one, then push in a cube of the frozen coffee and chocolate mixture. Cover with the rest of the sponge mixture so each ice cube is completely enveloped. Bake in the preheated oven for about 18–20 minutes, then remove carefully from the moulds while hot. Serve immediately sprinkled with hazelnuts

Rainy Day

2011-03-06T23:10:00.002-05:00

If any of you were in New York today you would have experienced the downpour that refused to stop. I ventured out covered in plastic with my weather-sealed Olympus E3. Both the camera and I were drenched. As a kid I loved playing in the rain. Rain in India is always welcomed with open arms – it usually is a break from the scorching heat. Here in NYC it gets cold, damp and depressing. What I like doing when it rains in new york is either sit at home in PJs and watch many movies or go out and have a long brunch session. Today I did the latter and took some pictures along the way. Since the rains are here hopefully that means spring and summer are close by.

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Breakfast for a King or Queen

2011-03-06T22:04:00.001-05:00

I am very passionate about eating and cooking food; but most of all I love to cook for people who enjoy food. After a late Friday night what was much needed was a scrumptious breakfast. I cooked a typical Parsi dish called “Wafer par Ida” – Eggs on Chips. It is yummy and really easy to make.

Ingredients: 1 bag of potato chips, 4 eggs, 1/2 a cup of minced coriander, 1/2 a cup of caramelized onions, 1 teaspoon of diced green chilies, a pinch of cayenne pepper powder, salt, a pinch of garam masala powder.

Heat a medium sized skillet.

Break open the bag of chips remove them one handful at a time – dip the chips in water for 30 seconds (you should have a big pot of room temperature water ready) as you remove the wet chips smoosh them together and start creating a layer on the skillet. Keep doing this one handful at a time creating a thin layer on the pan. Pat it down so that it is even. Let this layer simmer for 5 minutes.

Break the 4 eggs on this layer sprinkle the garam masala, salt, cayenne pepper, caramelized onions, green chilies and coriander. Cover the skillet till the eggs are cooked.

I paired this with a simple avocado, radish and tomato salad with olive oil, salt & pepper. It was the perfect breakfast!

Eating my way through Goa

2011-02-10T23:14:00.006-05:00

I have been visiting Goa ever since I was a child. When I think of Goa I see old white-washed churches, beaches that go on forever, restaurants that have unique fusions of food, the crazy trance scene, the hippies, tie and dye shirts, Tito’s, Fenny… I could go on free associating with Goa as I have had so many different experiences there. This visit to Goa was all about food. I literally ate my way through it in the 2 days I was there. Below are the restaurants I visited and highly recommend:

Amigo’s – located below the Nerul bridge near Candolim. It is a small place specializing in Goan food. The menu changes everyday as it depends on what fresh fish is available; so you know the food is going to be great. Call ahead if you want something special. I highly recommend the fish curry rice and crab with garlic butter sauce.

Thalassa Greek Taverna located above Vagator Beach – it is a spot from where the sunset looks absolutely gorgeous – reserve a table and get there before the sun sets (duh!) – the views are breathtaking.

Lila Café is located in Baga; we went there each morning to get our fill of the amazing coffee, breads and pate’s. One can spend an entire morning being lazy - reading, relaxing and eating the fantastic food.

Savoi Plantation: I could write pages about this place. It is located about 25 km from Panjim (center of Goa). On the day you decide to go (for lunch preferably) make sure you do not eat – you will need your appetite to enjoy this gastronomical delight. The first course consisted of mussels, lobster, tiger prawns and crabs. We then took a break and walked around the plantation’s lush greenery to return to a 15 dish main course. Eating on banana leaves in a tree house only added to this truly unique experience. The food was phenomenal as was the kokum juice that we washed it down with. This is an experience you do not want to miss.

Some places that have a fusion theme to it are J&A’s, I 95, Poisson Rouge & Fiesta. Go to these spots if you are yearning for some Italian or French with a Goan flare to it. Below are a few pictures that I took along the way.

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Hampi and Badami

2011-02-06T12:13:00.002-05:00

By day 2 we were getting used to being tourists in India and were wowed by every aspect of what we saw. Our cameras working over time; we did not want to miss a single shot. We spent the entire second day in Hampi - the capital of the Vijayanagra Empire built between 1336 – 1565 and on the third day we visited the Badami caves that date back to 600 AD; they made of almond colored sandstone and get their name from the stone; almond in Hindi is Badam. The city and the caves were spectacular – I could imagine a civilization flourishing in these surroundings by the banks of the Tungabhadra river.
As we were exploring Hampi I could not help but compare it to Machu Pichu. We had visited Peru earlier in the year. Both were built around the same time – one was a learning and religious center way up in the mountains and the other was a sprawling capital of an empire that had temples and monuments at every turn. Machu Pichu is made from stone and is a glorious salute to Incan architecture and engineering. While Hampi has beautiful carvings adorning every aspect rich with art and culture. Sadly, I also noticed was how the Indian government had maintained Hampi; plastic bottles everywhere, graffiti on the walls tarnishing history that goes back thousands of years. In comparison, The Peruvian government has taken the maintenance of Machu Pichu very seriously; restricting the number of tourists that can visit and not allowing visitors to carry anything that would tarnish the the premises. Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites that I was fortunate to visit in the same year. Below are some pictures.

Hampi & Badami

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The Golden Chariot - Day 1

2011-01-26T22:53:00.001-05:00

The Chariot was Purple not Golden - but felt like a princess in it. The Golden Chariot is a luxury train that travels through Karnataka, India stopping at key places; from where you go on excursions. The three days I spent on the train were phenomenal. At first it felt a little awkward being a tourist in ones own country. I was used to being the guide for people visiting India not the other way around. I soon accepted that being away for almost 10 years would qualify me as a visitor. The train experience was great - I would compare it to a cruise ship but on a train. It had a spa, restaurant, bar and gym. The rooms were small but comfortable.
We joined the train mid-way at Hassan; from where we had excursions to Shravanabelagola famous for the colossal statue of Gommateshwara in the morning; and in the afternoon we visited Belur and Halebidu - cities that are the epicenter of Hoysala architecture. All three places were simply breathtaking. It amazes me how much history, culture and beauty there is in India - we had only barely scratched the surface. Click below to see pictures from the first day aboard GC.

Bombay by Night

2011-01-25T19:14:00.000-05:00

Bombay has two sides to her, you can love her or hate her; but at night you can't help but be charmed and mesmerized by this beautiful city. I had interesting experiences (trying) to photograph Bombay at night. As I was clicking a man approached me; he thought I was from a media outlet taking pictures and would not leave until I took a picture of him. Another warned me that I would get arrested for taking pictures because the police would think I was planning a terrorist attack. A third thought I was a lost tourist and offered to help me find my way. Not once did they just let me just take my pictures; but that is India for you everyone is ready to help and poke their nose in your business. It is the way of this country that you can either love or hate. Hope you enjoy the pictures below.


PEDDAR ROAD TRAFFIC: No matter what time of night or day always expect a traffic jam


VICTORIA TERMINUS: Now called Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus; will always be VT to me


FLORA FOUNTAIN: She has been observing Bombay since 1864


ASIATIC LIBRARY

ANTILIA: The worlds most expensive residence

India - How I Miss Thee

2011-01-17T08:17:00.000-05:00

I spent the last three weeks in India. I go to India almost every year; but this time I had the most amazing vacation ever. It was the perfect storm of friends, family, weddings, traveling, food and new experiences. The highlights of the trip were attending 4 weddings - one of which lasted 4 days, traveling by train, visiting beautiful temples and cities in Karnataka, chilling with friends, spending time with the family, eating our way through Goa, visiting my high school and the food - I ate like there was no tomorrow. I took a lot of pictures, I plan on blogging about all of the above and more - so be prepared for an India overload over the next few weeks !
I am going to start with a picture that I took in Karnataka at Shravanabelagola. It is one of my favorite pictures of the trip. I captured a moment when I look at is calming and serene; but in reality there were hundreds of people around us. Photography is all about what you see and not about what exists. Hope this whets your appetite for the next few posts.

S is for ...

2010-12-24T22:43:00.000-05:00

..... Simple, Sincere, Silent or maybe just Spring Street ... which is where I took this picture. I leave tomorrow for India - I am going to my original home but I feel a weird sadness leaving my current one. I think all of us who have lived in more than one continent feels a certain tension between where we lived our initial years and where we are now - growing up as adults.
2010 has been a wonderful year and I hope next year I post more on this blog than I did this year. Merry Christmas and Happy new year to all who may chance upon my post.

Red Chili’s and Non-Writing

2010-11-27T13:09:00.000-05:00

A chili can be so deceptive. Some are small and cute but when you take a bite it sends your taste buds into a tizzy. In the spirit of not being deceptive then; I really like this picture but have no idea what words go along with it. My first thought was talking about the Chili as an object; but that is boring – what else could I write about that is not so obvious. I would like to be thought provoking with my text; how does one do that when writing about a vegetable? Hold on – just looked it up on Wikipedia, the Chili Pepper is a fruit not a vegetable. Good thing for the internet it has helped me look intelligent (not stupid) many times. What if I wrote about the color RED. I like shots that are bold, this one has a bold red that contrasts well against the dull bark of the tree. Again - I am taking the path of least resistance and writing about the colors in the photograph. I blame my lethargy to write on the Thanksgiving meal that was. So I guess you are going to have to enjoy the picture and get a little insight into the thought process of my non-writing writing.

Smoking

2010-11-24T18:38:00.002-05:00

Over 1.1 Billion people smoke in this world. That is one in three people -> WOW ! Every third person who reads this blog is a smoker. People get into this bad habit because of image, peer pressure or just wanting to prove something at an impressionable age. I feel bad for those who can't stop; but if you really want to do something and you put your mind to it - you can. Most people wait till they have a heart attack or cancer to stop. Tobacco is responsible for one in ten adult deaths. The reason why smokers don't take these facts so seriously is because they believe that it could never happen to them. the danger from smoking is not in your face; It happens over time.
I took this picture outside the Waldorf Astoria in New York. I was quite excited after I took the shot because I got him exactly at the moment he was blowing smoke out. Then I wondered - Why did he start to smoke ? Does he want to quit ? Will he die because of Cancer ? Is he dying of Cancer ?
I have been surrounded by many smokers near and dear to me and I have tried my best to get them to stop. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not - but I keep trying anyway. So this picture & post is for all you smokers - Stop already !

The Autumn Leaves

2010-11-21T18:23:00.000-05:00

The autumn leaves
Drift by the window
The autumn leaves
Of red and gold

I grew up listening to Frank Sinatra thanks to my father who is a Frank Sinatra fanatic. As a kid I would wonder what Autumn leaves were; I remember thinking maybe it is tree that has red and gold leaves ! This song fits so perfectly with the season. Hope you are enjoying what is left of Fall this year.

Chicago and its Magnificence

2010-10-17T21:07:00.002-04:00

Balance

2010-10-12T22:28:00.002-04:00

I was in Los Angeles a few weeks back. I captured some pictures of the sprawling city, metal buildings & peeping sky and some of the beautiful blue ocean, birds flying and the setting sun. Everything has 2 sides; they are not necessarily good or bad – just different. While we yearn for the hustle and bustle that the city brings, we still love the peace and calm of the ocean. Peace and calm gets boring very soon. We get restless and wish for the craziness again. One needs a little bit of everything in their lives – laughter, tears, anger, love, joys and sorrows. It is balance that makes life interesting at the end. In order to achieve balance one must experience the highs and lows, the ups and downs – as I write this I feel that it is counter-intuitive. How can balance be about swings? But, I guess it is; because life cannot be perfectly balanced all the time – it just has to be perfectly balanced over time.

Late Night Mexican Style

2010-09-21T21:29:00.004-04:00

Last week Mexico celebrated 200 years of independence. I happened to stumble on these celebrations in various spots all over the city. First stop was La Bibliotheca – tucked away in the basement on 3rd Avenue & 40th street. This place feels like a library where the books are replaced by bottles of tequila. It is a cozy spot that will be great during the cold winter months when a swig of Anejo Tequila is just the thing you need. Mayahuel is the goddess of tequila; in New York it also is a great spot found on 6th street between 1st and 2nd Avenues. I tried a few cocktails at this establishment; Some were delicate and subtle while others are boisterous and fun – something for whatever mood you're in. The Third spot I visited was Casa Mezcal. Mezcal is a distant, less refined cousin of tequila and is gaining momentum in the Mixology world these days. Here the Mexican fiesta was on in full form as we were very close to midnight. The upstairs is amazing – I fell in love with the big open widows and the beautiful coffee table surrounded by low comfy couches! Last but not least we stopped by PDT (a.k.a. Please Don’t Tell) – this establishment had nothing to do with Mexico but is a great speakeasy spot where you enter through a phone booth and they serve the most gluttonous food - Fried hot-dogs with Kimchi are one of the delicacies there. All in all a lovely night of great food, yummy drinks and a lot of fiesta fun!

Tennis

2010-09-10T23:44:00.002-04:00

I was a little girl looking at a big poster of Björn Borg on my neighbors wall. That was my first introduction to Tennis. From there I progressed onto the steel prowess of Ivan Lendl and the anger of John McEnroe. I remember pining for the ‘cute as a button’ Stephan Edberg during my teen years, and who can forget Pete Sampras’ hanging tongue. Then there were the Agassi years - I recently read his book “Open” which took me back to the days when I used to stay up late at night watching the US Open in India - he was such a rebel one couldn't help but love him! After Agassi I sort of lost track of tennis; I think it was because I lived in places where it was not front and center and I did not seek it out. I moved to NYC in 2004 and ever since then I have been fortunate enough to go to the Open every year. There really is something special about Tennis at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It happens during the time of year when summer is just about turning into fall, there is a cool breeze blowing; the lights come on and there is an energy that cannot be put into words. Everyone gasps and cheers together at the hits and misses. As the game of tennis has progressed -> with fitter players, faster games, better rackets and bigger sponsors. I too have progressed from a girl infatuated with the game to a woman who enjoys the sport and maybe still is a little infatuated. Click here for some shots from the 2010 US Open.

Rainy Sundays

2010-08-22T13:27:00.003-04:00

Some Sundays I love that it rains. It forces me to stay home and relax. I am not very good at down time unless I am forced to take some – which means, either I have to fall sick or go on a beach vacation. I wonder if this is true of all New Yorkers – the constant need to live life to its fullest. You don’t really have to try that hard since you live in a city that thrives on constant “doing”.

Today I decided to indulge in cooking breakfast fit for a King (and Queen). I whipped up 2 types of whole-wheat (healthy) pancakes. One with berries & nutmeg and the other with Mango & Pistachio’s. The pancakes were drizzled with Adirondack Pure Maple Syrup that had been sitting in my fridge forever! The egg cooked over-easy was the perfect accompaniment to balance out the sweetness of the pancakes. To wash it down we had some mimosas. Great rainy Sunday morning – now for some quality time with my book as Monday looms over my head.

August is for Open Roads

2010-08-07T10:59:00.000-04:00

I was very excited when I discovered that this Saturday was the first of three Summer Streets 2010 days. I was up at 7:30 am to attack Park Avenue with my bike. It was a fun ride and I even got to check out the pool on 40th & Park. Some things to note if you are planning to avail of this wonderful open street opportunity. If you are on a bike don't expect a rigorous 7 mile ride. There are many stops and a lot of people; so tread carefully. I used to be part of Team in Training and now after my Triathlon is over I understand how this group can just take over the road; and how annoying this is for other people they share the street with - but its for a good cause so GO TEAM ! Other cool things - there is valet parking (ha ha) for your bike on 40th and Park. You can rent bikes for free on various spots along the way; also on the house is free NYC water, bike tune ups and cool Reebok swag. The Pool - another aspect I was thrilled about is actually just a PR tool. There were more camera's and by-standers than people actually in the pool. The unique thing about this is the fact that you are swimming (almost) under Grand Central Terminal. All in all a very cool thing to do in NYC for the next three Saturdays. So I definitely recommend that you check it out. Along the way I stopped to click a few shots.

New Orleans: A Little Nibble

2010-08-06T23:05:00.001-04:00

I was in New Orleans this July for Tales of the Cocktails. It is always difficult to fit photography into a work-trip; but this was my first time in New Orleans and I wanted to at the very least explore the French Quarter. I got just a little flavor of the food, drink and the people. I can't help but want to go back for a real taste of this great city that has been through so much. Below are some pictures that I captured. Click here for the full set.

Peru Diaries 5 - Cuzco Chilling & Floating Fun

2010-06-30T22:52:00.002-04:00

After our hike and Machu Picchu we needed a day to just chill. We did this in Cuzco with no real agenda in mind. Meandering around town we discovered the local San Pedro market. This market had entire sections designated to just flowers or just meats or cheese or corn. I have never seen so many varieties of things in one place. After the market we moseyed on to an area called San Blas. This is a part of Cuzco that is very quaint with winding streets, art stores and lovely cafe's; we spent 2 hours at Jack's cafe where we had the most amazing coffee and food. I highly recomend you take a day to just relax in Cuzco you won't regret it !
The next stop on our trip was Puno. The town is very shabby but we were visiting the nearby Floating Islands which are a treat. We spent a day on the island of Uros and then visited Tequile Island. The Floating islands are man made; woven together with mud and reeds that grow in the shallow lakes. Walking on these islands feels like your walking on sponge. The local people are friendly and were very gracious. We ate a most scrumptious lunch of fresh trout, potato and rice. We had a spectacular view of blue skies and sea. The Floating islands were our last stop and it was time to head back to New York. One thing I am sure of - we are definitely going back to Peru; feels like we just scratched the surface of this beautiful country.

Peru Diaries 4 - The Old Mountain a.k.a. Machu Picchu

2010-06-29T22:48:00.004-04:00

Aguas Caliente is a town that was built to accommodate tourists who visit Machu Picchu. We got there by 7 pm the day before our awaited visit to the "Old Mountain". On arrival, we wandered to a bar for a much needed beer. As we were sitting enjoying our beverage we heard a song by Nazia Hassan being played "Aap Jaise Koi mere zindagi mein aye - toh baat ban jaye". In the foothills of Machu Pichu we hear music by a Pakistani singer that was popular in the late 70's - how bizarre is that ! Our wake-up call was at 4 am the next morning and an hour later we were put on a bus and off we went to Machu Picchu. We hiked up to the Guardhouse - from this spot you can see all of the city. We were the first ones there; but it started raining heavily and all we could see were clouds. There was much disspointment - but as they say good things come to those who wait; and slowly but surely the clouds cleared and we saw the Magnificence that is Machu Picchu. Ruben (our guide) gave us a great tour - I am not going to go into the details of each spot that we saw but it truly is a wonder of the world and it took our breath away.

Peru Diaries 3 - Hiking in the Andes

2010-06-28T22:15:00.001-04:00

If you are visiting Peru you MUST hike the Andes. Yes it is tough and the altitude will get to you but it is all worth it. The food that you devour as you lick the last morsel off your plate, the scenery that you see on your way up the mountains and the locals you will mingle with; will all be worth it. It is a truly unique experience.
We were picked up by Ruben our tour guide at 5:30 am in the morning; along with him were 2 ever eager helpers - the porter and the cook with their horses. We trekked from 6 am till 7 pm that night. In those 13 hours we crossed 10 mountains, saw the most beautiful valley that was covered with purple flowers and tested our limits as far as altitude sickness goes; but it was all worth it.
It was just us, nature and of-course ever eager Ruben prodding us along when we felt we could not go any further. We camped in Huchuy Cuzco which was where the Inca's first settled. We slept like babies that night. The next morning we woke up to see the sun rising over the beautiful mountains - it was magnificent. We continued to a small town called Lamay from where we would make our way to Aguas Caliente - which is the town that rests in the foothills of Machu Pichu.

Peru Diaries 2 - Cusco & the Sacred Valley

2010-05-15T20:40:00.005-04:00

Cusco is a beautiful city. It is small, quaint and has a lot of charm. The charm comes from the city and the people who live there. We arrived in the morning and made our way to Hotel Picoaga; which is an absolutely adorable spot. The first thing yu see when you get to Picoaga is the gorgeous stone courtyard and water fountain that just took our breath away. Our first day was spent pottering around the city and eating. We tried all kinds of things including Peru's delicacy Cuy. There are over 55 varieties of corn and 350 varieties of potatoes in Peru - both of which are included in almost every dish. In Cusco the highlight was the beautiful square and the narrow cobble stone streets that take you to all kinds of places. We loved the architecture of the monuments and spent the first day exploring the various churches and temples. On Day 2 we did a tour of the Sacred Valley. Pisac was our first stop. This is a small city where we saw our first Inca ruins. It was a peek into things to come a few days later in Machu Pichu. Next stop was Ollantaytambo; residing in this town is an old Inca fort from where the views are spectacular. My favorite though was Chinchero. Here we explored a church that was built in 1607; the white washed structure against the lush green valley and brown stone walls looked magnificent. After Chinchero we headed back for a good nights rest. The next 2 days were going to be spent hiking in the Andes mountains. We had quite an adventure ahead of us.
Recommended Restaurants in Cusco: Paititi, Andes Grill and Jacks Cafe

Peru Diaries 1 – Lost Luggage and Lovely Lima

2010-05-08T14:28:00.002-04:00

Saturday morning April 24th, we were all set to make our way into Lima with a short stop in Atlanta – bags:check, passport:check, airplane ticket: check. En-route to Atlanta we hear “this is your captain speaking, I am sorry folks, but due to thunder storms in Atlanta and low fuel levels we will have to re-route to Charlotte”. Great will we or wont we make our connection to Lima? Well, 2 hours later we were running through Atlanta’s Hartsfield airport and have made our connection with 5 minutes to spare. Neither R nor I have ever run so fast! Of-course we made the flight, but 6 hours later, after staring at the conveyor belt for 30 minutes we realized that our bags did not – oh well. It would have to be sans bags in Lima on Day 1 of our trip. We had Raphael (old man full of advice for tourists) take us to Hotel Antigua Miraflores; which was the sweetest little place I have seen – it had beautiful art on all the walls and the most amazing coffee I have ever tasted. It was like a large bed and breakfast. After a good nights rest we set out to explore. I won’t bore you with all the details but just give the highlights. First stop El Centro; this is where all the monuments are. There was a vibrant parade in the main square (Plaza de Armas). We strolled about took a lot of pictures. The highlight for me were the Catacombs in the San Francisco Cathedral. It was eerie to walk underground and see human bones piled up from the 17th Century. In the afternoon we headed to Barranco and ate some amazing food. I cannot write enough about the food in Peru – It is Fantastic. The fish, the meat, the corn, the potatoes - all of it is fresh and cooked with so much flavor. Barranco is an area in Lima that over-looks the sea – we whiled away our time enjoying Ceviche, Lomo Saltado and many Piscos. In the evening we chilled out in Miraflores where we bought a beautiful painting for our home and chatted with the locals. I had to stop R from eating street food that he was salivating over. Did not want a sick husband at the beginning of my trip. We got our bags at 4 am in the morning – and were all set to travel to our next destination Cuzco and the Sacred Valley ! Below are some pictures from Lima that you can peruse through.

Pretty Flowers

2010-04-18T23:09:00.000-04:00

Flowers are so pretty. Whenever I buy or get flowers it immediately brightens up my day; I love having flowers in my home. I don't like typical flowers like Roses and Carnations - I find them too predictable. I love Calla Lilies and find Tulips so simple and sweet. I woke up this morning and saw these beautiful purple Tulips that R had placed on the window sill. It was a perfectly composed shot that I wanted to capture, but the light was too bright and the vibrancy of the flowers were not coming through. In the afternoon as we were leaving the house the sun began to shine perfectly on the bunch and I knew I had my shot !

Pillow Fights and Easter Bunnies

2010-04-17T13:33:00.002-04:00

I have not written in ages and feel very guilty for being so inconsistent with my postings! I took these pictures a long while back. It was a perfect Spring day probably because it felt more like summer and the weekend was full of festivities. I have always wanted to go to the Annual Pillow Fight. I have to say I was a little disappointed. I imagined beautiful feathers flying about while people tenderly hit each other with soft pillows. No tenderness was shown in this fight, it was each person for themselves. I was actually scared and took pictures from the periphery – not wanting to go anywhere near the action which looked very boisterous and intense. On that same weekend I happened to stroll down 5th Avenue and caught the end of the Easter parade. I love it when in New York you just chance upon things. It was lovely to see people dressed in their “Sunday Best” – I took some shots that captured the mood. Click here for more pictures from Spring.

Beautiful Winter

2010-02-27T13:44:00.002-05:00

We have had two intense snow storms this month. During the first one I refused to leave the warmth of my cozy home; but then regretted that I did not get any pictures. When the second storm was to arrive I was determined to go out. R and I were up by 7 am most enthusiastic to go click some shots of the beautiful white powder like snow. We trekked to Central park – slipping , sliding and avoiding the puddles along the way. The park was magical – I have never seen it so serene, white and just beautiful. I felt like I was in a fairytale of some sort. There were quite a few people out and about. Some fanatics were even jogging in the park, but the ones that were having the most fun were the kids who were scurrying around finding the perfect hill to slide down. Below are some shots I took. Click here to see more, and if you want a peek into R's pictures - Click here.

PRojEcT fifTY3

2010-02-26T09:55:00.002-05:00

I embarked on Project 53 a few weekends ago. Well, embarked is actually a wrong word to use since it signifies the start of a journey. My P53 journey lasted 45 minutes as I walked on 53rd street from 3rd Avenue to 9th Avenue. The task at hand was to stick to the right side of the street and capture whatever caught my fancy. The reason for this was that I was meeting some friends for brunch on 53rd and 9th and I was on 53rd and 3rd – simple enough. When one has camera in hand you see and notice so much more. The thing I like about photography is that you capture the picture from your perspective and no one else has that point of view. I have passed Lever House a million times but have never noticed the little Hello Kitty. I love the picture of the building with Mother Mary looking down – again would never have noticed it if I was not looking. Above I have posted a few from the set – you can click here to see more. hope you enjoy them.

My Other Passions – Food & Cooking

2010-02-05T00:09:00.004-05:00

I love food. I also love to cook. I think there is something very warm about cooking and its great when you can share your creations with friends and family. I made Kofta curry (minced meat ball curry) tonight and was lucky enough to share it with close friends. I decided to marry my two passions – cooking & photography and clicked a few shots – I hope you enjoy it !

It’s the Small Things

2010-01-31T17:41:00.003-05:00

I was in LA a few weekends ago all ready to hit a very fun party when I realized that I had forgotten the screw of my earring - Damn ! I ran from store to store to see if I can fix this problem. I was even ready to buy a new pair of earrings. Then from no where this guy helps me out. He gives me the back eraser of a pencil to use that holds the earring in place - Genius! It was perfect and I was ecstatic. He had no reason to help me, but he did. It is amazing how the small things that people do makes one happy. The smile from a stranger on the street, or the musician at the subway playing a familiar tune just when you have missed your train. Babies and flowers have the same effect – you can’t help but feel warm mushiness when you get a bouquet of flowers or hear a baby chuckle. I have posted a few pictures that have made me smile in the last few weeks.

Bombay Meri Jaan

2010-01-06T23:19:00.006-05:00

Bombay – a city that is often compared to New York; it is looked upon as the nerve center of India. On one hand, you have the most mesmerizing structures that were built centuries ago, and on the other you have an urban jungle that is built on greed and chaos. My visit this winter was a whirlwind, but I did notice a few things that disappointed me – the dug up roads, the pollution, the poverty. All of these have always existed in Bombay, but the level to which it had escalated was terrifying. I wondered, how long can it take this kind of abuse? There is so much positive press about India – we are a country of a billion people, but it is these people that live in conditions that are un-acceptable and basic requirements like water, cleanliness & clean air to breath are difficult to come by. We have a lot of potential, but no infra-structure in place to take it to the next level. With greed and corruption all around how will Bombay / India succeed. I see a beautiful country with so much, and yet depleting itself bit by bit till nothing will be left. I hope we can change this course and give some respect to our city – Bombay !

Note: The pictures were actually taken as I was driving from Bombay to Pune and in Sinhagad Fort - but I felt they depicted a piece of life in India that we see in Bombay as well.

A Slice of Heaven

2009-12-31T18:43:00.002-05:00

A midnight flight to Bangkok and then an early morning connection to Krabi; that is what I recommend to anyone who is looking for some rest and relaxation. Krabi is located on the west coast of Thailand. What amazed me besides the beautiful white sand, the green-blue sea and the mesmerizing sunsets; was that it was un-touched and nature had prevailed over human commercialization. If your looking for a spot off the beaten path – this is it! We stayed at the Amari Vogue Resort located on Tub Kaek Beach. The resort has great restaurants and an amazing Spa. If you plan on visiting I suggest you definitely do day trips to Maya Beach and Phi Phi Islands where you can scuba dive or snorkel. Also, visit the Ao Nang market where there are great deals to be found and bargaining is a must. I tried my best to capture this beautiful slice of heaven.

Terror: a state of intense fear

2009-11-29T21:26:00.004-05:00

Terrorism: A systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In 1987 I boarded a Pan Am flight that took me to New York via London for my summer holidays. A year and a half later a terrorist would blow up a plane just like the one I had boarded. On December 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 259 people on board as well as 11 on the ground.

This weekend I was in Syracuse and saw a memorial that was created for students that died in the 1988 terrorist bombing. There were 35 students aboard that flight. This brought back back memories from last year. Nov 26th is my mother’s birthday and also a day that anyone who has anything to do with Bombay will never forget. I remember frantically calling all my loved ones and breathing a sigh of relief to know that they were all safe; not everyone was that lucky. As long as there is politics, hate and greed in this world acts of terrorism will continue and people will live with fear and come to terms with grief. It is not fair, and yes, something must be done about it – how and what, I don’t know. It takes a lot to change the world; I hope to see this change in my lifetime.

Parades and such….

2009-11-25T11:42:00.004-05:00

I have had bloggers block for the last few weeks; I guess sometimes you just don’t feel like posting and instead of forcing myself I just gave into my complacency. I took these pictures a while back on a bright sunny day when there was a parade in the city. NYC has the most parades, they get monotonous sometimes and of-course wreck havoc with the traffic. Forget about going cross town in a cab when there is a parade blocking all of 5th Avenue. There are actually over 50 parades a year in NYC click here for a list of them.

The first picture is of a mini Turkish festival that had a sufi dancer "wowing" the audience

This second picture is one of my favorites; every parade must have a band marching down the street……

Lie to Me

2009-10-03T11:54:00.008-04:00

I was walking by the Apple store near Central Park the other day and saw a promotion for the show "Lie to Me", which I found hilarious. It was people writing down things they had lied about on a card and sticking it up on a board. There were three boards that were stacked with lies! It made me think, lies are such an integral part of our lives. We all tell little white lies every now and then, we use products that basically lie to us telling us how much better or prettier we will look or healthier we will be, we watch TV which are pieces of fiction (lies) that entertain us. Oh well - being a little cynical this morning, but the silver lining is that in every lie there probably is a small sliver of truth :)

Tug Of War

2009-09-23T11:16:00.014-04:00

I wrote the beginning of a short story and then related it to some pictures I have taken. Below is the initial paragraph - if it pulls you in you can click on the link to read more.

I walked out of my old, crumbling Manhattan apartment, just as I had done for the last three years.

"Good morning Jones, have a nice day".

I find it funny that my doorman will never call me by my first name; he uses my last name as though it were my first, I am just used to it now. I smile and nod as I have everyday.
There are so many people in Manhattan, where do they all come from? I have always enjoyed my morning walk to work. I like to notice the various people I come across; some are suit-clad bankers while others are the creative type (I also refer to them as people wearing weird clothes). The ones that get a chuckle out of me are the men wearing oddly matched trousers and shirts or women who are wearing clothes that are way too tight for them; don't they look in the mirror before they leave home? You would never see me wear anything that would make me stand out. I like fading into the background. Observing is what I do best and what I am far more comfortable doing. I can never be like Tina (my half sister), she is always the center of attention, loud and boisterous. Click Here to read more

Jump

2009-09-07T12:48:00.006-04:00

Week three of my fiction writing class. I got inspiration to write from the below picture which incidentally was the first pic that I took with a DSLR. Hope you enjoy the little story and the picture!

She could feel the soft breeze tussle her hair; it felt like Marc was playing with her silky strands. Anna closed her eyes and melted away into her memories. She missed Marc dearly; there was not a minute when she did not think about him. She closed her eyes and saw his face; he was so handsome. His blue eyes complimented his brown hair and tanned complexion so well. She still could not believe that he had walked out of her life. She remembered their last conversation, “I cannot take this anymore” he said, “you are not the person I fell in love with; I am sorry I have to go; I am not strong enough to combat who you have become – your black-outs – your multiple personalities, it’s driving me crazy”. That was it – he had just walked out, never to return again. She did black out – at first it was rare, but now it had become an everyday occurrence. She would lose hours in a day; and when she regained consciousness she smelt like she had just rummaged through the garbage or looked like she had been in a fight; scratched all over. She had no idea what had happened or what caused these occurrences. All these events had brought her to this very moment in her life; she could smell the salt in the breeze all the way up where she stood, the sun was shining as though it was beckoning her; she took one deep breath and jumped off; Anna and her personalities took one big jump off the Triboro Bridge into the deep blue water below.

Fiction Writing

2009-08-23T15:14:00.007-04:00

I am taking a fiction writing class - this is the first week. I signed up for it so I could write stories about my pictures. My first assignment is supposed to relate to something I saw or read (a picture, a headline) and should be 250 words. Below is the picture and my 250 words ! Let me know what you like about it or not.

It was a hot summers day, my parents were having their annual British party. We had spent all morning cutting perfect little cucumber sandwiches, mom had made her famous coconut macaroons, dad had his Tanqueray and Pimms ready. They had stupid rules at this party; all guests had to wear a hat and everyone had to speak in a British accent for the evening. One can imagine how ridiculous the yanks sounded in fake Brit accents! As a little girl I would sit on my yellow swing under the tree watching the festivities unfold. As the night progressed the accents got funnier and the conversations more bizarre. I was always a by-stander looking from afar, I wondered why my parents would have this yearly shindig that the entire neighbourhood would look forward to for months. Later I realized how much this brought the community together and how much my parents missed their home in England.
Last week my mother passed away so I hosted 'the party' one last time in her memory. Everyone came with their hats and accents, this time around I could not be a voyeur to the party; I had to make sure the scones, cucumber sandwiches and macaroons were up to snuff. I now understood why my mother did this every year; it was so that she could never lose her roots - it made her feel like she was back home in England. T&T in hand, I toasted to her in a thick British accent!

Finger Lakes

2009-08-20T20:55:00.010-04:00

They say that god put his hands down on the ground and the finger lakes were created; I guess god has 14 fingers for the 14 lakes. We went upstate to Lake Canandaigua few weeks ago to get away from the hustle and bustle and just unwind. We stayed at a beautiful bed and breakfast called Bella Rose. Most of our time was spent wine tasting, pottering around the lake, visiting beautiful gardens and sleeping a lot ! Below are a few pictures that I took; the first one just makes me unwind and reminds me of that sigh when you finally relax. I love the duck picture cause it was very similar to one that I took a few months ago of Cherry Blossoms.

Chicago Chicago …. my kinda of town?

2009-08-01T15:29:00.004-04:00

Chicago – I really don’t know what to think of it. I was there last week for a day, well actually for 17 hours to be exact. I have never had enough time in this city to truly know its character. Most of my visits are “work – hotel – fly” sort of ones. People who live there seem to love it; its a city with a mid western warm feeling they say. Awfully cold in the winter. Lake Michigan looks gorgeous in the summer. The magnificent mile has tones of shopping. Just don’t know if its for me. I am more of a grimy, grungy city girl. Anyways, I am going back in a couple of weeks – plan on spending the weekend there; hope to form an opinion then (stay tuned). If you have any reccomendations let me know !

West Coast Cruising

2009-07-28T22:51:00.002-04:00

I was in Vegas and Napa last week. I find the west coast to be a breath of fresh air - always warmer, greener & cleaner for the most part. The one city that I have no love for is Las Vegas; I don’t like the oxygen filled, man made casinos or the hot sweltering heat in the summer. I was not inspired to click even a picture when I was there. This was quite the opposite when I went to Napa – I loved the symmetrical vines, the clear blue skies and the brilliant sun that blessed us with its presence all day. I took a lot of pictures; I am posting a few of my favorite ones – hope you enjoy them ! The grapes, the wine, and the vineyards all made for a beautiful day.

TRACKS & TOWERS

2009-07-12T15:10:00.002-04:00

A hot summer’s day with tall towering heights, deep blue skies with the water rippling below. A lost railway track behind some barbs with a story to tell of trains that passed a long time ago. They all belong in a city called New York with the tall towers and the hidden tracks; that is where my camera went – on a hot summer Friday afternoon.

Wedding Bells

2009-07-10T15:58:00.010-04:00

I got married last month which is why there have been no posts in the last 4 weeks. They say planning a wedding in less than 3 months can be a little chaotic - looking back it was not all that difficult (anyone looking for advice - give me a shout). We had the most beautiful 4 days of celebrating with some of our closest friends & family. Everyone told me - make sure you have fun ! I kept that piece of advice on top of my priority list - and had the best time ever ! It all went by so fast - thank god for the pictures so we can relive the memories. I hope to get back to blogging more regularly. Summertime makes for some amazing shots !

Bombay – the stories she can tell !

2009-06-08T22:38:00.001-04:00

It is difficult to capture Bombay in pictures. Each shot says so much that one frame does not do justice to the history and the stories behind it. During my 9 day rushed trip to Bombay I tried to capture a few moments; people playing cricket at Oval Maidan with the Rajabhai Tower looking on, young men of “Mumbai” taking an evening stroll along Haji Ali, saris drying at Dhobhi Ghaat and an old building that was almost breaking down with a statue of David Sassoon. I am sure there are many stories – like who is David Sassoon did he create Sassoon dock (that smells so much !) or what goes on in Dhobhi Ghaat – the place is like a city unto itself, and how many cricket teams have won and lost at Oval Maidan; and finally what is going on in the minds of young men who stroll along Haji Ali or Marine Drive in the evening. So many interpretations – so many stories. You’ve got to love it !

In and around central park

2009-05-12T23:27:00.002-04:00

Last weekend was beautiful .. I took my camera and walked around Central Park. So nice to see everyone out and about. The best part was that all the trees were green and lush - one would expect that after 5 days of rain. I captured a few moments. My favorite of the set below is the one of the horse - I love the composition of the shot - three modes of transport - horse, bus and taxi - all viable options in New York !

The Abstract

2009-05-08T13:48:00.004-04:00

I love pictures that are abstract; they make you look at them and think. Each person usually has a different interpretation. I took this shot a while back; it has a very fluid feel to it almost like the glass is melting into water. You can't really tell where it is taken or what it is supposed to say.

Seal

2009-05-06T19:39:00.004-04:00

I have not written in a while - reason being I am planning my wedding which occupies most of my time these days. Also my blog writing software does not work anymore :(. So I am going with uncomplicated and straight-forward instead of fancy. I took both the below pictures at a Seal concert I recently went to. In the first The first picture I like the way the projection of the woman compares to the Seal singing at the front of the stage. It makes me think that one is always bigger on screen vs. real life ! The second picture reminds me of a cathedral. The light and color brings the picture to life in such a unique way. Even though these pictures are composed in almost the same way the colors and the lighting give it such a different look and feel.

Sparkling Pinks

2009-04-08T22:30:00.004-04:00

We went to DC last weekend to see the Cherry Blossoms. It felt like a lot of people had the same idea as the area was crazy crowded. The weather was near perfect and the Blossoms were in “peak” bloom looking gorgeous against the clear blue sky. I like the sparkling picture a lot (below right); the petals had fallen into the lake and placed themselves perfectly with the sun shining on the water to give it a diamond-like effect. Well the Blossoms have come and will be gone – I hope summer comes soon.

Spring Is In The Air

2009-03-26T20:43:00.005-04:00

Enough of the cold dreary winter and the gloomy sleet and snow. We need Spring to be here already paving the way for a gorgeous summer. Warm weather makes everyone so much happier. It is amazing how all your friends come out of the woodworks. The days get longer – the cafe’s spill onto the streets – we enjoy yummy drinks over casual conversation on those long Sunday afternoons. When I took these pictures above they reminded me of the leisurely Summer evenings ahead of me. They say that looking forward to something is almost as good as experiencing it.

GOOD CHAOS

2009-03-22T21:01:00.002-04:00

Times Square is always so chaotic. People everywhere – tourists walking, oh so slowly down the streets as they look up in the sky taking in the sights. On a normal day when Times Square is part of the everyday commute one tries to get out of the area as soon as possible; avoiding the crowds to the best of one’s ability.

I took this picture when I was playing tourist with my parents who were visiting NYC. This picture makes me see Times Square in a different way – still so busy but so many contrasts. You feel the pulse of the city in this little area. Lovely colors – always shining bright. I have still to see a place as vibrant and alive.

My life is kind of like Times Square these days – chaotic but good chaotic.

‘Til Death Do Us Part

2009-02-15T19:34:00.007-05:00

I have been dying (no pun intended) to go to a cemetery and take pictures. A graveyard lends to an eerie cold atmosphere that I have wanted to capture. R surprised me on V-day by whisking me off to a Cemetery in Philly. I know that sounds weird – but there are so many love stories of the past buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Some are estranged lovers bought together at their resting place, while others are long love stories that have finally found their bed. Its great to hear, see and admire not only these tales but also the lovely ornate architecture of the Cemetery. I posted a few pictures below if you would like to see more Click here. Happy Valentines Day all.

FARM FRESH

2009-02-11T20:38:00.008-05:00

I was watching Top Chef last week where they featured Blue Hill at Stone Barnes. I knew that it was going to be in the 50’s on Sunday – so why not go visit this farm! It is about 40 minutes away from NYC and there is a wonderful cafe there where you get yummy scones, cookies, coffee and other savory things. The Farm is about 80 acres – we walked around and saw many cute animals. Daisy the cow, Roger the sheep dog, Porky the pig, Rocky the rooster. The Farm reminded me of a book that I read in school called My Family and other Animals by Gerald Durrell. I recommend making a reservation at the restaurant – we did and plan on going back to eat the fresh organic farm food. If the cafe is any indication the restaurant is going to be simply divine.

Taking pictures was a little difficult – nothing was too picturesque everything still had snow and the trees were bare. I know a photographer should be able to find pictures anywhere – but it was very difficult to be inspired. I am looking forward to another trip to the farm when it is lush and green.

Cup ’O Joe

2009-01-31T18:23:00.005-05:00

So much can happen over a cup of coffee; a first date – a glance – a fight – a smile. As you sit at Starbucks thoughts may wander into day dreams that you never share. A glance may translate into a first date (though that hardly ever happens). I was taking some candid people shots at S’Bux today. The girl looks like she is lost in deep thought or maybe she saw someone that she had been waiting for. The picture captures a sense of calm within her. The one on the right is an all out happy moment; a joke or some good news shared among 2 friends. I like the mans expression and the sun shining right on his face. Makes for a feel good happy capture! Its fun to click people and then wonder what they may have been thinking at that moment. The best place to do it is at the coffee shop over a Cup O’ Joe !

COLD METAL, BRIGHT LIGHTS

2009-01-20T23:06:00.002-05:00

It was a cold winters day – the first day of the year two thousand and nine. I took a deep breath and let the cold air enter my lungs. There is something about the significance of a January first – I feel the tone and how you spend the day is a peep into the way the year will go.

On Jan 1, 2009 I took a lot of pictures. I went to Top of the Rock and looked out onto the city that now call home. I did this with those closest to me – both friends and family. I watched “doubt” which was an awful movie with a great cast!

Who knows what my activities of Jan 1, 2009 tell of my year ahead. I look forward to my last post of the year and wonder if any parallels can be drawn between this day and the year that would have passed. I guess we will see.

I took this picture at Rockefeller Center – There are so many things to capture on film there. I thought instead of clicking the obvious Christmas tree below or the scenic vista from top of the building; I would focus on the simple light structure that everyone ignored. Happy New year all.

BEAUTIFUL TEQUILA

2008-12-22T17:50:00.019-05:00

The time has come to write about tequila; reason being it is part of my everyday life. No I am not a lush, but its the way I earn a living. Did you know that 97% of tequila comes from the Jalisco region in Mexico. It is made from the heart of the Weber Blue Agave plant (not cactus) that belongs to the lily family. Below are pictures of both; cactus on the left and beautiful agave fields on the right.

In my opinion, the best tequila comes from a distillery called “La Primavera” in Atotonilco where they make Don Julio Tequila. Don Julio (the man) started making tequila here in 1942 using the finest agaves, processes and techniques that are used even today. Below is a picture of the distillery and of cooked agave that is ready for the juices to be squeezed out to make beautiful tequila!

If you are ever in the Jalisco region you must visit tlaquepaque where they sell unique and beautiful arts and crafts. Another recommended stop is Santo Coyote - it is a beautiful restaurant in the area where you can enjoy a yummy Don Julio margaritas. For more information on tequila making you can go to www.donjulio.com

Most people think of tequila as evil and everyone has a "tequila story". After marketing Don Julio for over a year I have truly grown to appreciate the complexity of the liquid and the varieties - Extra Anejo's, Anejo's, Reposado's and Blanco's. It truly is Beautiful :-).

LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!

2008-12-20T13:42:00.005-05:00

New York got its first decent amount of snow yesterday. I wish the snow would stick and look like beautiful white powder; but instead it is slushy and 'icky' outside. What I like though is sitting in my warm apartment watching the snow flakes fall, looking at the white roof-tops and sipping a nice hot cup of cocoa. The below song sums it up perfectly:

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

PUERTO RICO DIARIES

2008-11-23T15:25:00.003-05:00

Follow your Bliss. The bottle and the card was the first thing I saw when I entered my room at Hotel El San Juan and that is what I did on all my days in Puerto Rico. In this post I want to highlight a few "To Do"s when there. PR has beautiful beaches, the people are very friendly and helpful & the weather is perfect. I wish I had more days.

After sipping Mimosas on the beach all day long we finally got off our butts to the first "To Do" which is a visit to the Bio Luminescent Bay; It takes about an hour to get to Fajardo Biobay from San Juan. You will kayak through the sea and a mangrove forest in pitch dark to get to a beautiful lagoon that glows - absolutely breathtaking and unique. You can also visit Vieques, Puerto Rico for the Biobay experience.

We took in some culture food and drink on Day 2. Old San Juan is a must visit. Going down the winding cobblestone streets takes you back to the days gone by. Take a Taxi to Old San Juan – get dropped off at one of the main squares and then just explore. One of the streets that you should definitely wander through is Del Cristo – rather steep but full of fun shops, bars & restaurants. Some other spots in OSJ are: Plaza de San Jose, La Fortaleza, San Juan Cemetery, Castillo de San Felipe.

Food & Drink in Old San Juan: Definitely stop by at Nono’s which is at the top of Del Cristo street; they make great margaritas on the way up to Nono’s you will find El Batey which is a fun grungy bar. Right next to Nono’s is El Patio de Sam, go there for some fantastic Puerto Rican Food – we ordered the Mofongo Relleno and the Beef Steak Encobollado – Yummm ! Cafe Princesa is worth a stop, they usually have live music playing.

The Nightlife: We did not do much nightlife stuff on this trip. The Water Club Hotel has a very cool roof-top lounge from where you have a view of the the beach on one side and the city on the other; it has a cool (blue) vibe. The hotel we were staying at had VERY happening bars and clubs. So if you want to party it up I suggest a visit to El San Juan Hotel.

Puerto Rico is lovely – beautiful beaches – three days was too little time. I am definitely going back.

ONIONS

2008-11-08T12:39:00.005-05:00

I love to cook and I love to eat ! I cook Indian food for the most part and Onions always go into almost any Indian dish. This picture was taken in Mexico City; we were cooking with a chef at his restaurant Pujol - which you must visit if your there. Here is a link to more pictures of cooking in Mexico City.

AHHHHHHHHH

2008-10-24T23:00:00.002-04:00

That is how I feel when I look at the ocean; it is amazing how you can take a deep breath look at the sea and take the pace down a few notches. The Ocean has a calming effect like no other. I took this shot in LA. I love the way everything looks so small in the vast expanse of the ocean and the sun glimmers with such gusto over each wave. I wish I could jump right in.

FALLING IN LOVE WITH FALL

2008-10-08T23:16:00.008-04:00

People say that fall is the best time of the year. It took me a while to get over the first not so warm day but I came over to the other side and fell for the beautiful fall season. Here is why I think people like Fall. Firstly, it is short - and anything that you can't get enough of you tend to like more. Secondly, the vibrant reds, yellows and orange colors look so beautiful. And last but not least - the coziness that comes with the cool crisp evenings! Gimme some hot chocolate, a romantic movie and a cozy comforter and I'm sold.
I took the below pictures from my recent trip to the Poconos - if you ever get a chance stay at the Skytop Lodge; it is absolutely gorgeous. Click here for more Fall pictures

IS THIS IT ???

2008-09-20T20:15:00.011-04:00

Is this the end of summer - finto - finish - khalaas? It felt like all of Manhattan was out enjoying this gorgeous day. I made the most of the sunshine and near perfect temperatures sipping sangria's all afternoon at the Frying Pan - if you have not been here I highly recommend you go. I took this shot from the street on my way back - what a great way to end what may be the last day of summer.

I WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU SEE

2008-09-13T16:27:00.005-04:00

What would this world be like if people saw things the way you see them. Do you think it would be easier or crazier. It is difficult sometimes to make other people see your point of view or sometimes you just don't get what the other person is trying to say. We do things that don't totally make sense - we do it because of things that are subconsciously still playing on our minds. Okay this is getting a little intense; so what do you think would it be crazier or easier if the world saw what you saw ?

A PORTRAIT

2008-09-11T11:04:00.008-04:00

I love this picture portrait. I see a romantic hero of the 70's when I look at it. He has droopy eyes that any girl can melt in. He looks rebellious in this shot - that he gives a damn about the world; and in his world time moves slowly and leisurely as he takes in all the frivolous going-ons around him. His name is Adnaan and he is my little innocent younger brother (or so I would like to think).

GREEN GREEN GREEN....

2008-08-17T19:36:00.012-04:00

Green evokes images of abundance, life and prosperity. It also stands for jealousy, envy and evil. I subscribe to the school of the former therefore the pictures below that capture moments of summer. You can see it in the eyes of a child frolicking in the grass, in the droplets of water and in a lazy snooze in the park. I love the summer - I wish it would last all year.

THE FIRST OF FOREVER...

2008-08-15T12:14:00.005-04:00

Another Friday and another picture for my blog; I have to say that my photography Friday afternoons are not quite working out the way I had intended; the past 2 Fridays have seen rain and my sweet E420 has seen its black little case. The force of nature (i.e. rain) compels me to dig into the pictures from days gone by – I have quite a stack of them.

The one I posted above is the first step that my close friend took with her husband right after they tied the knot. I find the picture very over-whelming. It’s just a step I know; but there is so much significance to it – it is the first of many steps that you and your life partner will take together. You may have taken many steps together before but not tied together as one. It may not be the best picture I have taken; but its significance far outweighs the photograph. If you look carefully, the picture is tilted - I actually like the fact that it is not all straight - kinda like life :)

COME FLY WITH ME ....

2008-08-07T14:19:00.002-04:00

Hope, happiness, freedom, love are some words that come to mind when I see this picture. It was a warm summer afternoon we were strolling in central park with our cameras; when we stumbled across a kiddy birthday party, there was cake with beautiful pink icing, kids screaming and shouting, running up and down while their parents cast a watchful eye on them. The carousel was going round and round to the beat of carousel-like music; and yes there were balloons, many many balloons. I remember walking up to this particular bunch in the picture and just looking at them for a while. The sun was partially hidden behind the clouds; but it gave this beautiful effect when the balloons were put in front of the sunrays. I tilted my camera and got the shot. I feel this picture is as much about the balloons as it is about the sky and the light behind it. Hope, happiness, freedom & love is what I see in this picture – what do you see?

MY SUMMER FRIDAY AFTERNOONS

2008-08-03T11:06:00.006-04:00

In New York a lucky few have summer Fridays :) .... and only a few actually leave the office at 2 - I have decided to spend my summer Friday walking the streets of NYC. This past Friday was my first walk and me and my E420 decided to go to SOHO and China town. The picture on top is one of my favorites - it has an eerie feeling to it; I took it in Soho - I absolutely love the way the light accentuates the graffiti. The picture below was taken in China town I walked in the weirdest alleys; this particular street had hardly anyone on it (I have to admit I was actually lost at this point). I saw these three men under the tea shop and I felt that I was in a village in China. No I have not been to a village in China but I do have a vivid imagination. Click on the link to see more of my NYC street photography and let me know what you think.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alefmerch/sets/72157606506036808/

FIRST PICTURE WORTH TALKING ABOUT

2008-08-03T08:45:00.008-04:00

So I am pretty proud of this shot. They say it is very difficult to capture lightening, your timing has to be perfect. This picture was taken on my birthday; I did not have my own camera then so I used R's Olympus E 510. He took me out for a beautiful birthday dinner at Waters Edge (a gorgeous spot for anyone who is looking for a romantic place with amazing Manhattan views). Just as we were in the middle of our second course the wind started blowing and lightening and thunder made its entrance. I think it was pure luck that I got this shot - I took it through the glass window. I have to say that it was this picture that made me think about seriously getting a camera. The instant gratification with photography is great - you click - you view - you edit and voila a beautiful creation is right in front of you.

YAY I HAVE A BLOG NOW .....

2008-08-03T08:27:00.007-04:00

I have always wanted to have a blog but frankly never knew what it would be about or what I would write or who would read it; you see I never really had any hobbies or talents - let alone discuss in open forum. Then one day on encouragement from my boyfriend (we'll call him R) I bought an SLR camera (Olympus 420). R is really into photography - he understands it much better than I do but I have really started to enjoy it and do understand a little bit too. So I thought YAY I finally have a hobby and I can now blog about it. What I plan on doing with this blog is discussing some of my favorite pictures that I have taken and the story they tell :)