Finally plane was over the great New York city, city of dreams.
This was my first visit. I always saw the city only in movies. Hudson river,
Statue of liberty, broadway shows, central park, shopping and busy crowded
place. We landed. It was drizzling outside as if to welcome me into the city. I
had sparkle in my eyes and smile on my face without making any attempt. Now
couldn’t wait more to meet my college friends. I am going to meet one of the
most talented, creative and strong women. We saw each other in teens and now its
been 20 years. Don’t know how much they have changed. Definitely they must have been
more matured so decided to maintain my dignity and be a strong women too.
Took the taxi to hotel, on the way taxi driver told me about
weather, city, good places to visit and eat and he told the hotel that I was
going to is very good one. It was Friday night and I was so awe struck with
tall buildings and fully lightened streets. I felt like I was on Vegas strip.
We were in constant touch through out journey about where
abouts and sending pictures. I texted them that I was almost near hotel and
madhuri texted back Room#1234 , 12th floor and she write “Expectations
takkuva pettuko” and I get message again. Hotel changed – Its Double tree times
square west.- Room 1615 – 16th floor. I gave new address to taxi
driver and he rerouted. It was just 2 blocks away from the first one.
Got to hotel and to room on 16th floor and
knocked the door and entered in, as soon as I entered I couldn’t control and
had to shout out loud with excitement on seeing my friends and we ran into
eachother and gave a tight hugs. It was soooooooooooooooooooooo good to see
them. I kept giving more hugs to Madhuri, Ni and Ani. And took few pictures.
They all looked the same. Of course physically slight different because we can’t
look like how we were in teens. We were so hungry and so went out to eat dinner
in a nice cozy but very elegant place. There was really not much we talked. We
were just watching each other and laughing and remembering at how we were in
college and how much we changed. Food was good. Back in room and then we
actually started talking. Maan! We went down the memory lane and basked there
for sometime and came back to our present life and how we all were doing and
managing with family etc. None of us wanted to sleep. But we were waiting for
next day as well.
Next morning woke up early, dressed up, We check with hotel
lobby if we can find the tickets for tennis tournament but no luck and headed
to famous breakfast place. Had delicious breakfast and best coffee. We had to
actually wait in line to get inside. More pictures and started walking on New York
time Square Street to explore the place. It was beautiful like in a different
world. Suddenly everything started to look happy and pleasant place. We went
shopping in to small boutique and big malls We did lots and lots of walking
with stop in between for quick lunch and walked more and did lot of window
shopping and we got an art of us 4 girls together. It came out beautifully. It
was so much fun hanging out like in a different world. There are no strings
attached and no responsibilities. Just going with flow and enjoying each and
every bit. We were so tired. It started
drizzling and we were hungry. So wanted to go to a pub which was few blocks
away but it started raining so we took an rickshaw and asked the person if its
ok for him the rain and he was very happy to give us ride. That was one fun
ride. Rickshaw in New York streets in rain. Is it really happening? Last time I got
on one was when I was a kid. Good food and relaxed in pub and later Ni had a
surprise in store for us. She took us to creepy building and I was hesitant but
was looking forward for it. It was really the most surprising. It was escape
room. We were late but they joined us with another group and the game was on.
We had so much fun. The other group were not as smart as us and were slow to
read out instructions and understand details and we were running out of time.
Ni got restless and she went a head took the instructions and just followed it.
The lady in other group got so mad that she started crying out loud to her
husband. I know baby, you are doing great and we got this until that girl (pointing
at Ni) came and snatched the paper away. These girls are the ones who are going
to trap us here forever. Madhuri, Ani
and Me couldn’t stop laughing. It was so hard that we had to walk little away
from group and had to let the laughter burst out. Finally we did get out of the
trap but not the right way. We literally broke a door which we were not
supposed to it. ROFL ROFL. We found victory in breaking door and the guy came
running to us and showed us right way of doing. Again picture time. Went back to hotel. Did i mention we changed the hotel again. This was even better one. with bigger bathroom(so important to us). We were tired but couldn't get enough of each other. We talked and talked late in to early hours. Ani gave us lots of tips on how to do self care and to take care of ourselves and importance of being nice to family.
Next morning, Ani did a make over of me. She totally transformed me and said i look better than Shilpa shetty :). Ni and Madhuri were not ready to give up breakfast for anything in this world. They tempted us with lots of texts. I was slightly tempted to go but "wanting to look pretty" took over the breakfast.
We started venturing out into the new york streets again. We inquired about board-way show tickets but couldn't find any. Abira joined us that morning. It was so nice to see her. She has grown up into beautiful women. Her kids and husband accompanied her to drop her off. We had lunch and hanged out for little and walked, talked and shopped more. We went to local ice-cream shop and got the biggest cone and took lots of pictures. Abira spend time with us till evening and bid good bye. We went back to hotel and dressed up to go Indian celebrity chef restaurant. got there in taxi and the restaurant looked very stylist and lavish. Had drinks and sumptuous food. I got the kick out of whole thing which lead me to thinking that this should not end. Mixture of drinks + friends + happiness overload. Ni wanted to go to disco. We were disco ready dressed up too. But it got very late and so were not comfortable to venture out that late. So we went back to hotel but continued the excitement.
Ni played awesome songs and she recorded us while dancing. First time i didn't feel uncomfortable when someone was recording me(because of the trust). I was pleasantly surprised by Madhuri's moves. Never saw her dance earlier. We danced our heart out like no one was watching.
Madhuri and Ani shared the stories of how there were still few people who are big fans of them at work place etc. We all discovered the lost girls in us strong women. We talked way into night and dozed off.
Next morning Madhuri, Ni and Ani had flights to catch so we had to pack up and head down to Penn station. My flight was in evening and i had lots of time. I want to spend as much as time as i want with them. So accompanied them to Penn station. It was hard for me to call it as end of trip. We had quick bite and was time to bid good bye. I just left abruptly without turning back with pain in heart. Its weird feeling that can't be penned down.
I had 5 hours to spend in the city to explore. Thought would go hangout by Hudson river to watch the statue of liberty at least so i can show my family that i was in new York. But decided not to go because i didn't want to loose the memories that made with my friends. I didn't want any other memory to override this. So headed back straight to JFK in taxi. On the way again taxi driver told what all places to visit when in new york...
Seriously I was thinking how fortunate and lucky to have friends like these. Who took time from busy schedules to spend with each other and laughed like crazy. Got so many tips on everything possible. People go to classes to learn. I'll never eat tilapia again in my life. Best thing happened is my attitude towards myself. I feel like I am really shilpa. Its like i found myself. To love myself more and how compassionate I was and to be same as before. I had a same smile but this time with an attitude.
I realized that strong woman in each of us become little girl when we are together and we can let loose and we all are same(mostly :)).
I didn't go to any place that i wanted to visit but heck ya this is the best trip with my friends- Shopping, Adventuring, Chatting, Laughing, Dancing.. Thank to you all dears. Deep from my heart
XOXO
