'Your task is not to seek love in the world,
But to seek and find in yourself all the barriers you have built against it.'
By Rumi.
These words were handwritten on an A4 sheet of paper and left with me by Sofiya, whose inspiring yoga classes I miss from the boot camp.
On my last night in London, while packing for my flight to the wonders of New York, thanks to Ernest's text, I actually put the TV on and watched the sale of Elizabeth Taylor jewels in an exquisite British production; it made me reflect upon the fascination of women over stones. Men are into their cars, and women are into their jewellery. However, these days, more and more women get picky with their vehicles. To date, I still cannot forget the blingiest, most extensive diamond bracelet I saw on the hand of an OTT (over-the-top) family at the Casanova Italian restaurant, sitting outside under a white tent supporting hanging chandeliers with Elliot as we went around Ukraine by train in Aug 2008; memories of Odesa made me super excited to be seeing Elliot again in his city of the domain, New Yummy York.
And here I am, in good old New York, well, come to think of it, not that old.
Despite many trips here, every experience raises new situations, memories, and friends. My main excuse for visiting the Big Apple this time has been Arnie's big birthday celebration on Saturday. We had initially met in St Thomas while I was married and used to spend two weeks in the winter there, visiting my sis Hala.
In fact, I met him at a party Hala had organised at Lady Diba's with Elliot, Tommy and his then-husband or partner Dan. After the dinner, Hala and I, with our male dominant entourage, left for the 'Love Shack', one of the few late-night bars on the island (Well, as late as bars in the Caribbean go). We could feel the drizzle of rain, through a warm breeze, on our bare arms as we got under the cover of this hut amid a parking lot, where the sound of music rose from.
And that was when Tommy took my hand straight onto the muddy dance floor and, after a few twirls, told me to 'dip'. His words still ring a bell in my ears as he kept repeating himself:
"Dip! Honey, dip!"
As he held my back with one hand and flipped his head forward and back to show me his notion of going back and forgetting the slender queen that my most amusing dance partner was, I took one leg off the floor. I leaned my head up, only to fall flat out on the ground of mixed rain and sand, in my cream trousers and lacy top, Tommy to follow on... On top of me! I only got up and continued dancing.
And hence, my wonderful friendship with Elliot and Arnie began as they held their hands to rescue me from the mud in the Love Shack.
My hostess for my time in New York is another darling friend I met through Arnie on a visit here when Hala and I stayed with him at a party he gave for us. Andrea and I connected immediately; since then, we have travelled many times together and shared many moments of laughter and further bonding.
My fun began at the airport, JFK. Certainly not in the one-and-a-half-hour queuing for passport control, but when I got to be 'controlled' by the hottest customs officer I had ever met. Could not resist but say: "Hi". With my eyelashes flipping and a confident smile. Booty boob ... I love you, inspirational.
The officer looked down at my passport and was certainly not interested in my place of birth but my date of birth!
He said: "Oh my! You certainly don't look your age. Really!"
I answered: "I know. I'm lucky that way!"
Just hoped he would not ask the secret of my youth, or I could not tell a customs officer the truth, could I?!? As in... 'Sex, drugs and rock & roll'? Not even for fun... Or can I?
Thank goodness he did not ask that but simply repeated himself again with the same comment.
The words took hold of me and came out as: "Let's just say I like to party."
Oh dear, is that a sound way of initially putting what would have popped out of my mouth? I party?! Haldita came to mind, for God's sake, but the customs officer continued and asked about the address I was staying at: "Is that a home or a hotel?"
I went on: "A friend's. I'm also blessed with great friends everywhere. In fact, I'm here for another friend's birthday party."
Well, he let me go before I could hand him my number! Haha. Just kiddin'; no telephone numbers.
When it came to checking out of the airport, the luggage inspector began speaking to me in Spanish, and I answered him in his language by telling him where I was born was far from South America. After more flirting, I entered New York on a very high note. Brilliant. My cab driver was from a Northern African country and, throughout the ride, told me his history of the three wives he had gone through; the first one being from his native home before moving to New York, the second one being a blond American and the third, a black American. Wow, I had heard of the land of opportunities but not quite in that diversity. Mustafa, my driver, was most entertaining but told me something disturbing. He said his daughter, a teenager at school here, had been shown an Iranian movie of how a woman was battered by her husband, who then organised her killing since she had asked to divorce him. But why? I asked Mustafa. Why would they show such a disturbing movie to teenagers at school here? Sadly, violence goes on all around the world. Why pinpoint a particular country? How many violent movies come on the screen in Hollywood, showing disturbing facts about people's lives in general. American Beauty was a modern example of one for sure.
It is healthy to think all around, all the time.
After dropping my suitcase off at Andrea's (as she was at work), my first visit was to Central Park. The light green leaves shone on a glorious afternoon, and the blossoms were whole. Families, New Yorkers, and tourists alike were out enjoying the beauty of spring in the city. Do I feel blessed? So, super lucky.
I got on Fifth Avenue to its first store on the right: Abercombie and Fitch. At the entrance, I stood still momentarily and watched young girls getting all excited, having their photos taken with those muscly, hot dudes, then being handed the Polaroid shot while they giggled. Did I want a shot? Nah... There are albums of hot dudes I have known going through my mind.
My favourite boutique came next, Norma Kamali's. I was in New York and visited them first shortly after their opening off Fifth; I must say, decades ago! I am not ancient; I just have too many great memories! Haha. Had a wonderful time in the store with the lovely Carmella, who helped me choose a couple of hot dresses for the summer.
Finally, I got home to be greeted entirely by my dear hostess, Andrea. It was a short-lived catch-up session as we had to get ready for dinner at the latest 'The Dutch' restaurant.
I can go on writing and writing... But right now, I have to go to Soho and meet up with Elliot. A little lingerie shopping on the way there, possibly at Bloomingdale's, would do, as it's close by for a rainy day.
New York brings out a side of me... Which is New to me every time.
New York, New Me.
But to seek and find in yourself all the barriers you have built against it.'
By Rumi.
These words were handwritten on an A4 sheet of paper and left with me by Sofiya, whose inspiring yoga classes I miss from the boot camp.
On my last night in London, while packing for my flight to the wonders of New York, thanks to Ernest's text, I actually put the TV on and watched the sale of Elizabeth Taylor jewels in an exquisite British production; it made me reflect upon the fascination of women over stones. Men are into their cars, and women are into their jewellery. However, these days, more and more women get picky with their vehicles. To date, I still cannot forget the blingiest, most extensive diamond bracelet I saw on the hand of an OTT (over-the-top) family at the Casanova Italian restaurant, sitting outside under a white tent supporting hanging chandeliers with Elliot as we went around Ukraine by train in Aug 2008; memories of Odesa made me super excited to be seeing Elliot again in his city of the domain, New Yummy York.
And here I am, in good old New York, well, come to think of it, not that old.
Despite many trips here, every experience raises new situations, memories, and friends. My main excuse for visiting the Big Apple this time has been Arnie's big birthday celebration on Saturday. We had initially met in St Thomas while I was married and used to spend two weeks in the winter there, visiting my sis Hala.
In fact, I met him at a party Hala had organised at Lady Diba's with Elliot, Tommy and his then-husband or partner Dan. After the dinner, Hala and I, with our male dominant entourage, left for the 'Love Shack', one of the few late-night bars on the island (Well, as late as bars in the Caribbean go). We could feel the drizzle of rain, through a warm breeze, on our bare arms as we got under the cover of this hut amid a parking lot, where the sound of music rose from.
And that was when Tommy took my hand straight onto the muddy dance floor and, after a few twirls, told me to 'dip'. His words still ring a bell in my ears as he kept repeating himself:
"Dip! Honey, dip!"
As he held my back with one hand and flipped his head forward and back to show me his notion of going back and forgetting the slender queen that my most amusing dance partner was, I took one leg off the floor. I leaned my head up, only to fall flat out on the ground of mixed rain and sand, in my cream trousers and lacy top, Tommy to follow on... On top of me! I only got up and continued dancing.
And hence, my wonderful friendship with Elliot and Arnie began as they held their hands to rescue me from the mud in the Love Shack.
My hostess for my time in New York is another darling friend I met through Arnie on a visit here when Hala and I stayed with him at a party he gave for us. Andrea and I connected immediately; since then, we have travelled many times together and shared many moments of laughter and further bonding.
My fun began at the airport, JFK. Certainly not in the one-and-a-half-hour queuing for passport control, but when I got to be 'controlled' by the hottest customs officer I had ever met. Could not resist but say: "Hi". With my eyelashes flipping and a confident smile. Booty boob ... I love you, inspirational.
The officer looked down at my passport and was certainly not interested in my place of birth but my date of birth!
He said: "Oh my! You certainly don't look your age. Really!"
I answered: "I know. I'm lucky that way!"
Just hoped he would not ask the secret of my youth, or I could not tell a customs officer the truth, could I?!? As in... 'Sex, drugs and rock & roll'? Not even for fun... Or can I?
Thank goodness he did not ask that but simply repeated himself again with the same comment.
The words took hold of me and came out as: "Let's just say I like to party."
Oh dear, is that a sound way of initially putting what would have popped out of my mouth? I party?! Haldita came to mind, for God's sake, but the customs officer continued and asked about the address I was staying at: "Is that a home or a hotel?"
I went on: "A friend's. I'm also blessed with great friends everywhere. In fact, I'm here for another friend's birthday party."
Well, he let me go before I could hand him my number! Haha. Just kiddin'; no telephone numbers.
When it came to checking out of the airport, the luggage inspector began speaking to me in Spanish, and I answered him in his language by telling him where I was born was far from South America. After more flirting, I entered New York on a very high note. Brilliant. My cab driver was from a Northern African country and, throughout the ride, told me his history of the three wives he had gone through; the first one being from his native home before moving to New York, the second one being a blond American and the third, a black American. Wow, I had heard of the land of opportunities but not quite in that diversity. Mustafa, my driver, was most entertaining but told me something disturbing. He said his daughter, a teenager at school here, had been shown an Iranian movie of how a woman was battered by her husband, who then organised her killing since she had asked to divorce him. But why? I asked Mustafa. Why would they show such a disturbing movie to teenagers at school here? Sadly, violence goes on all around the world. Why pinpoint a particular country? How many violent movies come on the screen in Hollywood, showing disturbing facts about people's lives in general. American Beauty was a modern example of one for sure.
It is healthy to think all around, all the time.
After dropping my suitcase off at Andrea's (as she was at work), my first visit was to Central Park. The light green leaves shone on a glorious afternoon, and the blossoms were whole. Families, New Yorkers, and tourists alike were out enjoying the beauty of spring in the city. Do I feel blessed? So, super lucky.
I got on Fifth Avenue to its first store on the right: Abercombie and Fitch. At the entrance, I stood still momentarily and watched young girls getting all excited, having their photos taken with those muscly, hot dudes, then being handed the Polaroid shot while they giggled. Did I want a shot? Nah... There are albums of hot dudes I have known going through my mind.
My favourite boutique came next, Norma Kamali's. I was in New York and visited them first shortly after their opening off Fifth; I must say, decades ago! I am not ancient; I just have too many great memories! Haha. Had a wonderful time in the store with the lovely Carmella, who helped me choose a couple of hot dresses for the summer.
Finally, I got home to be greeted entirely by my dear hostess, Andrea. It was a short-lived catch-up session as we had to get ready for dinner at the latest 'The Dutch' restaurant.
I can go on writing and writing... But right now, I have to go to Soho and meet up with Elliot. A little lingerie shopping on the way there, possibly at Bloomingdale's, would do, as it's close by for a rainy day.
New York brings out a side of me... Which is New to me every time.
New York, New Me.
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