Greek In the Big Apple

View of Williamsburgh Bridge from Williamsburgh Piers (photo by Eleana)  A friend sent me a funny post of what things are "absolutely true" about New York, and asked me if these 44 (I think?) factoids rung true to their claim. Most of what I read was in general terms true. Some I found were generalities or exaggerations but like in any city that has urban legends attached to it New York is no exception. There are facts, details, unwritten rules and dirty little secrets you come to know and understand about this city as a resident or long time visitor. It gave me inspiration to write my own list of twenty rules, observations and funny details I've discovered along the way that ring true for me about this city and its residents. Some may surprise, shock and some and seem very familiar. 1. Yes some apartments are the size of caves --- I met a person with one such apartment in the east village. A good friend was staying there briefly while her apartment was bei...

After the whirlwind of the new year I have had a lot to write about but almost no time to sit down and put to words succinct thoughts, and to share the last moments and impressions of the old year. Upon the threshold of the new year I made a pact, that I would write from the heart and that I would compose more interesting fun stories from my travels and my adventures here in New York. So much has happened so much has changed and a lot has remained the same…. 2013 was by no means easy it was a year of deep transformation, big decisions and great change. It has left me with much to think about in terms of choices, people and energy given and shared with those close and far away. In this past year, I have fought with demons and insecurities, I have dealt with devastating heart break, despair and loss, and I have gained deep, true, valuable friendships, loving moments with new friends and old, and a deeper understanding of the path that lies ahead. I have seen how it feels to allow for ...

Summer in New York is well dreadful and horribly sticky and smelly and  hot hot hot! (I was trying very hard not to say this about my adopted city but unfortunately its the truth) I did however enjoy moments of late summer evenings when the intense heat would cool down and the sound of my fan would buzz in the evening air. Central park in the evening with people strolling with their friends after a night of theater at the Public, people running in droves to hang out in the grass to catch a ray of sun during their lunch hr at work, and the weekend escapes to the near by beaches.... beautiful music in the air at Prospect Park Bandshell..... just how the city comes to life after a dreary winter season.... and it was exciting ! my New York summer was about  Long walks with friends near Astoria park in Queens.... beating the heat with an iced tea at a near by restaurant  quiet moments at the roof top of friends taking care of one of my favorite doggies...

December 1st  2013…… a year of the Yogirabbit in the Big Apple. This post was very difficult to compose... To put it mildly, I was sobbing half the time I was putting this together. So many emotions have come up. I have now been in New York City and the U.S a full year….This year has been one of discovery, joy, pain, doubt, tears, laughter self exploration, new and old friendships. The stories are many and the ups and downs more than a roller coaster ride at a theme park.  The anecdotes of my day to day life here could fill the pages of a tell all funny memoir. I have had many disappointments but also plenty of pleasant surprises to balance the hardships. I left Greece Nov 30th 2012 arriving on a sunny Sunday afternoon on December 1st with so much apprehension, fear and joy for the unknown and what would lie ahead. I had no job, no clear vision of what I wanted to do here but with a great sense of adventure and purpose. When I first arrived there countless friends...

I have had the opportunity to be out and about in New York a lot lately. Noticing the city again for all its strange and wonderful moments. I had been "absent" for a while and not really looking or observing the city for all that it had to offer. Yes its crazy and hectic and very hard and expensive and competitive and absolutely heart breaking some times to maintain a life here but for all its difficulties it has moments of calm, joy, and laughter. There are intriguing, interesting and kind people who have shared their stories with me embraced me in their lives and showed me their special New York hideouts. This past month in pictures exemplifies that for me, and it made me observe and understand why I came here in the first place…. so I will let the images speak for themselves.  and the New York love story is a complicated one :)..... I am grateful to be here even through there are tough and confusing moments, there are also moments of pure joy and bliss. In the end it is a...

Its November in New York City and the time is near for the holiday season to begin. The days are getting shorter the temperature is getting colder and the signs of winter are showing on the fallen leaves and the bare branches. There is a beautiful tapestry of colors and smells that evoke the slowing down of nature...All nature is going into hiding, and somehow so are we. Spending more time indoors, drinking warm tea, reading a good book, and quietly reflecting on the closing of another year. I took a stroll with a yoga buddy near Williamsburg Brooklyn the other day, and walked by a small quaint park, a hidden gem in the midst of the hipster pomp and circumstance that colors much of what Williamsburg has become. Tucked between the arty lofts and semi illegal apartment complexes was a beautiful little slice of nature. Couples were walking hand in hand with out a care in the world and little kids ran with glee through the piles of fallen leaves. It was calm it was exactly what we neede...

Its 12.30 am Halloween Night, and I'm out walking a dog for a friend of mine... in Chelsea. I usually am not up this late…. I keep yogini time. Sleeping at 10pm and waking up in the wee hours of the morning before the sunrise to prepare for daily practice. I don't go out much in the city and certainly not in Chelsea, so this was an experience reminiscent of my teens and early 20s! I've done my fair share of clubbing back in the day, New York, London, Mykonos,  and Athens. I've had my taste of late night parties in some basement somewhere with crazy music and even crazier outfits. Strong and vibrant memories of the Limelight in 1997 when it was an AMAZING club with music that made your want to dance all night. Yes then god was truly a Dj. It was full of all sorts of people from every walk of life. Gay, strait, transexuals, guys in leather pants and dog collars, women wearing as little as possible, flashy wigs and bright red lipstick. Every expression of creativity ...