I spent a few days in NY city last week for work. Compared to a year go, the city looked a tad tired, after being struck by several ‘traumas’ over the past decade – 9/11, Irene hurricane and now another super storm Sandy...
Instead of “How are you?”, people greeted each other with “Have you got power?". A lot were affected by the recent hurricane and lost their homes overnight. The irony is, most of the ubber rich who lived in beach houses had to seek refuge at friends' or relatives' because there were no power and water at home! To make matters worse, it’s winter time now! The city was not well prepared for Sandy because noone took the hurricane warning seriously because such notices come every other week, especially this season.
9 out of 10 people that I met were also disappointed that Obama won the election. There was a hilarious story that went around - a woman ran over her husband because he did not vote for Obama (??!).
The city was in need of some spirit-lifting activities- skating at Rockfeller Centre, putting up the big Christmas tree in the city centre and Macy’s thanksgiving balloon parade. People have more things to give thanks this Thanksgiving, especially little things in life that were taken forgranted previously...
I am really grateful to be in this part of the world. Good weather. Good food. Good church. And thank God for power and water, despite our usual complains of the price hike…
No comments:
Post a Comment