5 day summary: New York

I flew with Virgin Atlantic to New York and I think they're great, excellent service, good in-flight entertainment, and generally a zillion times better than Continental, American Airlines, Air India, US Airways, and British Airways. Besides, I like to promote the brand : )

I must warn the world and it's neighbour not to swap seats in the name of being a nice person. To hell with the nice person act, I was moved several times approached by 2 frustrated men who raised their voices at me and for what? All because I agreed to be a nice person and swap seats for two lovebirds! I spent 7 hours sorely sat in the middle of 6 people. Rule 1 being a nice person will get you nowhere, in fact it will get you sandwiched in shite.

Arriving into New York, I was pleasantly surprised by the warm weather. After several months of ongoing starvation for this City, finally I was back, back in New York, ready a new bag of tricks and scandal.

I came to New York for 3 reasons, to see my friends, have a break, and to shop. I've never been into the tourist scene in New York, meeting my friends alone is like visiting the New York Zoo!

Now I am going to list some of the folks I was hanging with. Please skip if you don't give a toss.

Vikram Kocher - The ultimate triple shot decaf Espresso
Saika Rahman - A piece of meat that fell in love with Tofu
Shafinaz Rahman - A spiced Octopus delicacy
Joseph Miller - The original American burger sold in Cuba
Rajat Kapoor - A Mixed green salad tossed in every continent
Matthew Hawke - Dom Perignon in the Cheltenham Golden Cup
Vikal Kapoor - An Eggplant curry wanting a roti from KFC
Reji George - Coca Cola Zero: all the taste without the mojo

I was staying with Vikram during my trip and it really felt like home, so a big thank you to Vikram for his hospitality. We had a blast, we ate, relaxed and laughed. I guess I should thank Reji for the laughs ; ) she has a weird way of keeping us entertained even when she's not present.

It was one big shopping pancake, I felt like I had the Adil Ditta on my right arm and hundreds on unlimited credit cards on my left. The sales were great, the Sterling strength was even better and the stuff on sale was totally awesome.

Unfortunately I had lost my voice for the duration of the trip. At first I whispered, then gave up and accepted my fate as the fly on the wall. I'm sure my friends enjoyed the silence, in fact Reji was loving it. Everytime I had the need to speak my body shaked furiously like Justin Timberlake, my face deflated and my mouth overtook the scene and all this parade to blurt a few words that didn't make sense. Vikal humored the masses with various impersonations whilst Jo made fun of my pathetic Salsa moves, like he is King of the South!

We all spent New Year's Eve at Tavern on the Green (in Central Park). It was a blast, though I was a lone ranger most of the night, I wonder why? Everytime I physically bumped into Reji she was all over Saika like Christmas wrapping on Cadbury's. I was like 'Give it a break girls, you are in public.' Vikal was nowhere to be seen all night, and when he did make a guest appearance he was fashioning his new girlfriend, Miss Motorola Razr. Matthew was kissing a horse outside for sometime, (a real horse) and then danced the night away with me me me me and me. Rajat, the composed gentleman stood around mingling and looking undisturbed by the hoards of crowds pushing and shoving their way to his feet. Vikram quenched his thirst with more than 3 bottles of bubbly, and was knocked out soon after. Shafinaz was floating around dancing and drinking the night away, though I didn't see much of her either.... ?!

My last night in New York ended with bribes for a massage : )