As Labour Day approached in the US, I found myself in New York City for a 10-day stay. Unlike previous trips filled with hectic schedules, this visit offered a rare opportunity for reflection and solitude. Initially there to help Abhishek settle into his second-year apartment, I quickly realised he had things under control. With perfect weather and a comfortable room at my now-favourite Residence Inn near Times Square, I seized the chance to explore and reminisce.
My love affair with New York began in 1988 when I arrived for my MS at Columbia. Perhaps it was that formative year or the city’s resemblance to Mumbai, but New York captured my heart like no other. Each visit since has rekindled that affection, with familiar sights evoking a tapestry of memories — my first venture to Times Square to buy a thick red jacket for the impending winter; countless pilgrimages to the Strand (and later Barnes & Noble) at Union Square; savouring Indian cuisine on Lexington Avenue; peaceful strolls through Central Park; toy-hunting expeditions to FAO Schwarz when Abhishek was young.
Now, with Abhishek at Columbia, I’ve retraced my steps on the subway from Times Square to 116th Street numerous times on the 1 subway. This journey, so vivid from my graduate years, transports me back to my 22-year-old self – eyes darting at 72nd and 96th Streets for the 2 and 3 express trains.
Around Times Square, recollections of family vacations with Bhavana and Abhishek surface: Broadway shows, department store adventures, and stays at Murray Hill hotels (Affinia Dumont and Affinia Shelburne). The city’s landscape may evolve, but these memories remain evergreen.
I find solace in walking, observing the interplay of constancy and change that defines New York. It’s a city that exudes warmth despite its frenetic pace, allowing me moments of tranquility in Bryant Park or on a chair near 23rd and Broadway.
New York has always felt like a second home, a sentiment that grows stronger with each visit. With Abhishek in NY for three more years and Netcore’s office established, I anticipate more frequent returns. The city’s sights and sounds are indelibly etched in my mind, a testament to its enduring place in my heart.
In a world of constant motion, New York remains my anchor – a mega-city that paradoxically offers me a sense of belonging and peace. It’s a city that, even amidst its speed and scale, whispers to me, “Welcome home.”
