The New Dawn

The long night is over, the bitter cold gone
I find myself in this new world, awake, aware, alone
It's time to set off on this journey, there's freshness in the air
As I face this warm spring morning, without any fear

The cobbled streets, the little puddles along the sidewalk
Reminiscent of the thunder showers of past noon
I hurry along, eager to leave those memories behind
To reach my destination, full of promises, soon

Inspired by the stories of few heavyhearted
who ploughed their way through murky waters
Standing tall midst despair, when odds seemed insurmountable
With the throng of naysayers packed to the rafters

I feel an adrenaline rush, the whole world suddenly wide open
The possibilities endless, the opportunities countless
I take that first step towards my new destiny
To infinity and beyond, our potential truly limitless

Welcome to New York

Always wanted to be consistent with the frequency of my blog posts and for some strange reason, never managed (read it as laziness). Was waiting for a trigger to give consistency another try and what better trigger than a visit to the Big Apple. 

Warning: This is going to be a really really long post. So read on, only if you have the patience. Anyone not with ample patience, I suggest to invest your time on more worthwhile (as per your opinion) endeavors.

Yesterday was the day, I probably had been dreaming for a long long time. A visit to the New York City. So many iconic places, so much history. So much to watch and so much to do. 

The length of this post can be directly related to my excitement of visiting New York. It is also somewhat different to all my other blog posts in the sense, it do not convey any deep or inner meanings at the time of writing this statement in this blog, in my mind. This is purely an expression of my state of mind after yesterday.

I had 1 whole day with me and was spoilt for choices. I am lazy, but I can be quite active when I want to. And I was on the day before the visit.

I made a complete plan of which places to visit, how much time to spend, how much time it would take and even the time I would be back at my place in Parlin, NJ. 

 We started off on train to New York Penn Station from South Amboy through NJ Transit. Anyone who knows anything about New York City knows that taking a car there can really be a pain in the backside. 

The train journey was uneventful and we reached by morning 9:40 and walked over to W42nd Street, which is usually famous for Times Square. But we went there for another reason. Here was the location of the world famous Madame Tussauds' Wax museum. Needless to say, it was an awesome experience. 

Next stop on our journey was the subway station on W42nd Street. As with most of the other places, the subway was something that I had heard about as being the heartbeat of this city. You shut the subway, New York might literally stand still. Took the tickets and entered the Subway towards South Ferry.

South Ferry is where you get down to go to Liberty Island. The island where THE "Statue of Liberty" is present. I had booked the tickets for the Ferry Ride in advance yesterday itself, so didn't have to wait in queue for getting the tickets. Unbelievably, the tickets to the crown and pedestal are sold out until September!!! Hence couldn't get tickets for that.

Had a good time in Liberty Island clicking loads of photos and doing my by now customary gift shop purchase (Small replica of Statue of Liberty and 2 medallion this time around). The summer heat was truly on, but we braved the heat and soldiered on. Once we reached back to Battery Park (from where the Ferry to Liberty island starts), we were parched and had to rest for a while taking in some water.

Our next destination was Wall Street. It is said that, pretty much the whole world runs on decisions made in this small street in this small corner of the world. I was excited to see the iconic Bull at the Wall street and we had our lunch (it was evening 4 pm lol) at T.G.I. Fridays. Once we did that, we went to New York Stock Exchange building (11, Wall Street).

After that, next up on our destination was 9/11 memorial. This was the only portion of the trip that didn't go according to my planning. I had planned to cover the WTC memorial in 15 minutes. And we were on track to that, until the rain came soaring down from the heavens. We were drenched to say the least and the line took 30 minutes for us to reach the pass counter. 

Once we got the ticket, there was Airport style security check (same case in Liberty Island Ferry) which took some more time and then once we reached the 9/11 memorial, we ended up spending a lot of time there, much more than we intended, contemplating the effect it had on this nation and its people. 

So what was planned to be a trip for 15 minutes ended up taking well over 1 hour. And I am glad it took the amount of time it did, as I could at least understand some of the pain which members of the family would have gone through during that period and are still continuing to go through.

After that, it was back to the subways for us to go to the 34th Street Subway station using Line 2. By the time we got down at our station, it was already 8pm. Next destination for us was Empire State Building (the tallest in this city and for a long time it was the tallest in the world). The plan was to reach the top before nightfall and have a view of the city in both daylight and at night when it would be illuminated with bright lights and colors.

Us spending more time than intended at the 9/11 memorial threw a wrench in our plans. Plus the exceedingly large crowd in Empire State Building meant that the whole process of purchasing a ticket, going through the Airport Style checking (our 3rd of the day), waiting in line for our Elevator etc, took us around 45 minutes and by the time we reached the 86th floor observatory, it was already nightfall. 

And what a view it was from the observatory!!! The chilly night air (fresh from the rain that plundered New York City in the evening) and the view were amazing. We felt like we were on top of the world. And we managed to soak in that view for a good part of 30 minutes. Then we went into the 102nd floor. Here we were not allowed an open air view but a closed view. It was only here we realized, how high we were as in New York City, most buildings are tall, making view from 86th floor, while amazing, less scary. It was up here, where we really felt high and some of us got a wee bit scared.

After that, it was time for the most talked about place in NYC and the last of our destination. It was time for Times Square. The place that never sleeps, The place which is so bright that one might even end up wondering, does it ever get dark here? We walked out of Empire State Building and walked along the 5th avenue till the W42nd street and took a left towards Broadway and once we passed the Broadway Street, the bright lights welcomed us into a world of its own. Taking a right along 7th Avenue towards higher-numbered West streets took us to the heart of the Times Square and I truly understood why they call this the place that never sleeps. It was 10:30 in the night and there were still people rushing about as if it is Monday morning rush hour! Only difference was, the public here was so multi-national, multi-lingual that there was a clash of color and sound in the air which absolutely brilliant to say the least.

Our plan (or rather my master plan) was to reach the New York Penn Station by 11 so that we could catch our 11:07 train to South Amboy to reach home. It was a little late for that and we decided to catch a breath and take in the magnificent view of high-rise buildings, bright neon nights, advertising screens and scores and scores of people walking past us. The next train was around 12 and there was no point in reaching the station early.

We finally decided to leave by 11:15 and decided to walk all the way to 34th Street (Penn Station). The walk took us 20 minutes and we were inside the Penn Station by 11:40. We ordered some refreshments from Dunkin' Donuts (Strawberry Lemonade Coolatta was awesome!!!)

Finally by the time we were about to board the train 12:05 from Penn Station, we were in for another surprise. For the first time, during my stay here in US, I got into a Double-decker train. To say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. After an hour, we pulled into South Amboy station, got into our car, dropped the co-tourists and reached home by 1:20 , even after a 1 hour delay only 20 minutes later than my scheduled arrival. Not bad I would say for a first time tour planner and a lazy one at that too. 

I will sign off with my favorite lines from an Alicia Keys album called Empire State of Mind.

"In New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of.
There's nothing you can't do,
Now You're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
The lights will inspire you
Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York!!!"

An awesome experience. Nothing more to say. Still tired from all the walking. Time to sleep. Wait. I don't sleep till 2 in the morning.. Okay.. some football streaming online then. 

Until next time.. Ciao..!!!

Ravi

Bemused by Niagara falls

You look into the roaring waters of the Niagara Falls
It reminds you of the beauty of nature
A world full of endless possibilities
though only few care for her future

So much we have abused our mother Earth
Ain't we done enough atrocities?
Burning down the forests, leveling all the farmlands
Building concrete jungles, metropolitan cities

There will come a time, by which it would no longer matter
When things will go out of our hands
And nothing would be able to bring back our lost pasts
Not even wizards with all their magic and wands.

So let's do what we can, what we must
To protect this world of ours from our dangerous lust
from our greed for power, money and domination
And preserve it for our future generation.

Until We Meet Again...

I walk the long winding road ahead of me
Hoping to reach my destination hitherto unknown
Dark and dusty, not a soul in sight
I walk this path, empty and forlorn

The path seem familiar, like I have been here before
But that would be impossible, as I am hoping for a new start
A new wake of life, new possibilities and new acquaintances
But it all seems the same to me deep inside my heart

The bright sunny days have long gone, to be replaced by murky weather
The skies are dark, there is a storm brewing
The clap of thunder, the lightning fork in the horizon
Tells a story of change, my trepidations about which is growing

I take shelter from the impending storm
which as promised is rough and hostile
I fall asleep in my little refuge I have, hoping for a new dawn
Praying that my efforts for a better future was not futile

The skies clear soon enough, paving way for my journey ahead
The world seems so fresh, the earthly scent titillating my senses
I ready myself for the challenges awaiting me
To a new wake of life, new times, dropping all pretenses

It is a new beginning, these are unchartered waters
These are exciting times, expectations and hopes galore
I take that first step, after all those trials and tribulations
To a new beginning, a way I am yet to explore

We leave behind those who meant so much to us in our journey so far
But are we really, when inside us their thoughts and memories reign
Do not despair this is not good bye,
Just a brief pause, until we meet again

Until we meet again....

Musings of a jobless mind

I can't feel the difference between yesterday and today
I can't discern the changes in night and day
I try to break the shackles, but it keeps binding ever so tighter
I try to escape from this quicksand, but it keeps pulling me ever so deeper.

Many have tried and many have failed
To make sense out of this mundane world
Yet, I still hope that one day I can crack the code
before it is too late, before all hell breaks loose

I try to keep my emotions in check, failing spectacularly all the time
I hope to keep going, even when my knees are giving themselves away
I press the panic button, hoping for someone to come for my aid
As that is all I can do, keep your faith and pray

One day, I might actually succeed, might sprout wings to soar
Far away from this insanity, this craziness that engulfs me
And one day, I might be able to look back and smile on all things gone by
The journey might have been rough,
But hey, atleast I got the window seat to enjoy the view.

A true way to lose yourself...

I lie with my eyes wide open. The gentle breeze try to sooth me. But the heat had taken its toll. I lie there with not the slightest energy to gather myself and have a glass of water. The heat had been incredible. Never had I felt so much spent.

I try to turn sideways. I gently prod the external mouse attached to my laptop. The screen slowly comes to my focus. I found that my play list had stopped. It was one of my favorite theme songs. Soundscape to Ardor... You gotta listen to it to appreciate the true beauty of this one. You will appreciate it more when you feel that you have reached your limit. How apt that this was the song waiting for one click from my mouse tip to play and gently take me back to sleep...

For all those who have not heard it... Hear it... appreciate it... Get ready to be lost in the magic of music... Find it below... Heavenly music

17 soundscape to Ardor

Just close your eyes and listen

One request to all... If you have a headphone, please use it and hear it in full volume... Believe me... it is worth it

True Friends... A myth or reality???

I do not know what to say,as I lie face down

Silent tears slowly wetting the pillows

As i gather my thoughts of hatred and pain and anger for having let myself be vulnerable

I feel like the innocent person being taken to the gallows

I reflect on the past, of the countless instances

Where I had given others a chance, 

Trusted them beyond all doubts

Like a girl in sweet sixteen, experiencing her first romance

I do not know whom to trust anymore, 

For they sooner or later leave me for greener pastures

Whom I call true friends turn their back on me

And I am looking for a way to find closure

What is true friendship? I am left wondering

Is it something that exists only in stories

Is it something like Santa Claus? That we tell our children

As a way to keep them toe the line and have no worries

For I have felt wronged and deeply wounded

Each time I have left myself vulnerable

Most wounds heel over a period of time, as you forget those thoughts

But will I be able to forget this??? Am I that capable?

Life teaches you never to expect anything good

In that way, even if you do find something, you feel great

I lie here again, tears rolling down my cheek

Reflecting on my past, of my ill fate.

HBK