Of iPods and Homeless

New York City Subway

That would make a neat title for a ‘Freakonomics’ chapter but unfortunately I don’t have any groundbreaking logic linking the sale of iPods to partner preferences of the homeless. The link is in my head. Of images from my daily commute.

The subway system here in NYC is no different qualitatively from others that I have used previously. It does a great job of getting you around and that’s what counts. But I am not too sure I can say the same thing about New Yorkers who travel on these trains. They have got to be one of the most interesting bunch of commuters in the world!! (I am excluding the Indian train ride of course:)).

The white iPod earplug (literally and factually on every third person, depending on which coach you sit,) is as ubiquitous as the Chinese American girl with the white American guy!! The homeless (shouting for attention) put on a sincere attempt to convince fellow commuters that they have never done this before and that the money is only for the night’s supper and not drugs. The obnoxious evangelic (yes I said it!) screaming his lungs out and passing the most crude judgments about other peoples lives (big collective sigh of relief when he stepped out). The young kid who doesn’t think much of practicing his dance moves as others jostle for leg space! The sketch artist who kept looking at my shoe and drew god knows what (I didn’t move my leg for 3 stops under pressure!!). The musicians. The nerds. The Tourists. The ‘Straight Off to gym’ types. The Wall Street guys. The Asian guys with tattoos and the queer guys with bindi! The blondes:) The Latinas:) Its never a dull ride….except maybe Monday mornings!

Summer and all!! (Central Park, Strawberry Fields)

Yet another Beetles tribute: Strawberry Fields, Central Park

Thankfully the weather cleared. But by that time it had already dampened my plans for a run around the Reservoir. To be fair I was looking for an excuse.

I went out for a coffee though. And then walked to Strawberry Fields in Central Park (West 72nd street) hoping some music would salvage my day. I am not really big into any band and that includes the Beatles but live music is always uplifting. Especially if you get to hear the odd song that you know :). Make it a point to pass by Strawberry Fields (SF) every time I go to Central park (for those of you who don’t know, it’s the part of the park that is dedicated to John Lennon).

The first time I went to “SF” was two years ago when I was visiting NYC. Somebody recommended it and I am glad he did. I was blown away by the city on that visit and needless to say the couple of hours in Central park were the highlight of my stay. It was a long weekend (probably the 4th of July one). The city was buzzing with tourist (like me) and sailors. Central Park was on that surreal day an eclectic mix of people, music and relaxation. For people from tropical cultures like me, the romanticization of summers by western writers / journalist was always hard to grasp growing up. But that day I knew exactly why. I guess the winters are so hard (I am yet to spend my first one in NYC..not looking forward to it :)) that when summer comes there is no reason to stay indoors and not celebrate. Besides it not as hot as Southern India or the Middle East :).

Anyway I was talking about SF. The same bunch of guys play Beetles music every weekend (probably even weekdays but I have never been on a weekday to be sure). I recognized couple of faces from my visit two years back (The Filipino looking guy in the NYC cap…same fricking cap too!!). It’s incredible. Their passion for music and for one band!! I know Beetles are not just another band especially for folks who grew up in that era but to show up in a park every weekend and play the same songs to passersby crowds, who immortalize you in their memories (if at all) and nothing else, requires a special kind of passion. The fact that none of them look like they stay at Trump Plaza makes them even more lovable. People from all around the world, a lot of who don’t know anything about SF or maybe even Beetles (yes there are places like that!!) stand together and swing their heads (some sing along) in appreciation. I didn’t get the goose bumps today I got the first time but like I said earlier it sure is uplifting. Let it be!