Monday, July 12, 2010

Vacations, aunts, cities and such..

Went away for a week to the other side of the country. Got pampered endlessly by the aunts around there. Aunts are the best! No two ways about that. However I'm peeved that the Scout was like at priority-0 for them while I was at priority-1 or something like that and I cribbed to them about how intelligent women like them must not let themselves be charmed this way by a two-bit little thing. They said grandmas / grandaunts are supposed to be that way and shut me up. Asked me to instead go cool my heals and eat a mysore pak or carrot-halwa or one of the many other goodies they had cooked for us. They also turned out to be eager (and inexpensive!) babysitters for the Scout, so I shouldn't be complaining about anything really except may be the heat around there. God, the heat! Did it seem like we were in a pressure cooker or what? I have lived in the NY area for a few years and know how the summers can be around there but I seem to have become a complete bayarea convert now. I know! I know! Us, bayarea folks crib if the temperature happens to be anywhere but in the 70s. Anyway, the Scout had a blast with the family and on the outings. He had a great time running behind a biiiiigggg bubble maker in Central Park and dancing with this impromptu hiphop group there. That is what is so cool about Central Park. You can be sure that at anytime of the day or night there will be some thing or the other happening. That is what is so cool about the whole city anyway. And the eats, what can I say that has not already been said about the eateries around the city? And the parties? We went to this beach party by the Hudson, over-looking an impressive skyline. As the night settled in, the lights in the buildings turned on, shimmered in the reflection on the water, peppy music played and the tempo got going. Unbeatable! And the fashion sense around there? I was thankful I took a few of my skirts and strappy sandals (one in magenta and one in white if you are interested :P) and still couldn't look even half as chic as the people around there. Uhuh! You know, Frisco is nice and all, but I sure have a thing for NYC as well. Forget about beaches, mountains and other destinations, I love cities especially this one. Sigh.. double sigh!

11 comments:

  1. Good to have you back ! Being beaten by the Scout in the attention Dept. would probably have been well compensated by the sweets - right ?

    One small point - Bay Area folks complain about the weather no matter what - temps in the 50s, 70s, 90s - we can moan and groan better than anyone else

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  2. You're right, aunts do rock! One vacay a year with an aunt is mandatory, when mom is unavailable (or in another country :( )

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  3. Welcome back. the trip sounds like a lot of fun.. Sorry. i got stuck at mysore pak and couldn't really concentrate much after that.. Sigh..

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  4. PV: You said *we* can groan and moan? Pleasure is all mine to be in your august company. :)
    Starry: Totally.
    Shruti: Yen heLthidira? You can walk to Venkateswara or Maiyya's or Arya bhavan on a whim and satisfy your cravings. :)

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  5. ya.. but i'm at office.. n really want that mysore pak NOW!!! my aunt makes awesome mysore paks.. I can even remember the aroma.. miss that one. No angadi sweets can match homemade mysore paks. Sigh.

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  6. Totally with you on NYC. Love that place for vacation/visits. Can never see myself living there but would love to spend a week there every year :) Now have to see pictures of strappy sandals ;)

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  7. AJ Dear - Us Bay Area folks must band together - since there are many who bash us regularly just because we live here !

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  8. Like Sands, I like to visit NYC but dont feel the urge to live there.

    Once drove through NYC and was scarred for life. The cabs, tankers and myriad other vehicles honking and driving at such close quarters at high speeds - shudder!

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  9. Shruti: Will she give us the recipe? but may be it is kayi-chaLaka / haath-ka-kamaal.
    Sands: I could live in NYC I think from some past experiences but right now PV and I are in the midst of declaring our undying love for the bay area.. :P
    PV: With you all the way. I don't think people understand the power and beauty of the valley.. :)
    TPL: I wouldn't want to own or drive in NYC (and here I refer literally to a car, OK? :P). It will have to be subway / cabs.

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  10. Sounds like a fun vacation ... Mysore Pak uh ? Now I know what I want for this weekend ... mom is here and will most willingly oblige :)

    Bay area suburbs for me ... no big city downtowns. NY is great for a vacation ... Bay area it is for me !

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  11. CA: And to think I didn't like mysore pak as a kid. :) Enjoy the mommy made goodies.

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