A Return Date with America

The Statue of Liberty - It is going to probably be the most memorable travel experience ever. Even ahead of the Taj Mahal, Mona Lisa and the Neuschwanstein Castle, to name just three unforgettable travel experiences.

'An idea is a greater monument than a cathedral'. So says Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy) in 'Inherit the Wind'. No monument better represents the idea of America better than the Statue of Liberty. As the boat cruised from Battery Park to Liberty Island, the image of immigrants coming to America with the dreams of a future of 'Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' over the centuries sprang in front of my eyes and from time to time my eyes welled up with tears as these lines in the Declaration of Independence ran again and again in my head.

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Now, that's my Post Card from New York City.

The what-the-fuck moment of the entire trip came while I was returning from back from the lady with the lamp. There were two trash cans - on one was written 'Waste' and on another 'Plastic'. I saw an American teenage girl carrying a plastic bottle, something close to the one shown in the picture to the right. She approached the trash cans and shouted out pointing at the bottle 'mom, is this plastic?'

I said 'Hooah!' a la Al Pacino and 'The Scent of a Woman' and I of course blurted sotto voce 'what-the-fuck!'. All those videos on youtube like this one are not without some truth in them. 

Now for a few more pictures from the trip...

Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic Theater - the longest running play at Broadway

Now a couple of pictures taken at the Times Square. I have never taken better pictures at night. The lights and energy at the Times Square surpasses that of the the Las Vegas Strip.

Times Square, New York City

more Times Square

The New York Skyline, as you approach nearer to it, feels like a huge artificial movie set or a set of cardboard boxes arranged neatly.

The New York Skyline

Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Atlantic City - is'nt it called Poor Man's Vegas? It indeed is.

Independence Hall, Philadelphia

Oh, by the way, NYC has taken over from Paris. It is officially my favorite city in the World. On a cold winter evening as we stepped out of the Penn Station, my friend and I were taken with excitement at diametrically different things - she, a fashion freak, had her eyes to the earth, sizing up the shoes on the feet of other girls and I, ever the small town fella captivated by city lights, was gazing skywards at those endless multitude of skyscrapers.

My previous post on America is here.

Comments

[Mahipal]

Wishing you a good time in Amercia! :)

[Prat]

Hey Aru,

Totally agree. New York is my favorite city too! I have not been to Paris, but I doubt I might change this. I loved being there! seeing your post really brought back memories. :)
and by the way, I am still envious that you get to travel so much! :)

love,
Pratibha

[Arvind Swarup Pathiki]

@Mahipal: Thanks, dada. i returned and posted this entry.

@Pratibha: touchwood! smiles.