2008 was an eventful year.
America went into an economic depression. Indian firms started feeling the heat, and layoffs are a routine affair now. Mumbai saw the worst terror attacks India has ever seen. America got a new and very dynamic leader in Barrack Obama. India sent a mission to the moon. India managed a nuclear deal with the US despite the left’s best efforts to disrupt the deal. Manmohan Singh managed to last his entire term in office.
In sports, China celebrated its coming-of-age party in the shape of the most lavish Olympics ever. India managed to win not one, but three individual medals. Vishwanathan Anand became the undisputed world chess champion. Recently the Indian cricket team walloped England.
Hopefully 2009 will be a little less eventful. Hopefully the economic situation will improve. Hopefully India’ will keep going on the road to progress. Hopefully the elections will give us a stable, strong government that will work on improving the infrastructure and keep up the GDP growth. Hopefully the terrorists will get jobs that lead to retirement and give up their guns for keyboards and mice.
Happy New Year everybody! Hopefully the new year will bring cheer and good health to our lives.
Here’s some pictures taken from all over New york city to brighten up otherwise dull times.
Holiday decorations at Macy’s
The lighting at Bloomingdales – simple yet stunning.
The famous Rockefeller center Christmas tree – probably the most famous Christmas tree in all of New york.
Midtown is the place to be at this time of the year – the decorations are awesome, and the tourists are always so entertaining.
We loved the faux Christmas tree outside Radio City music hall. The Christmas Spectacular show was interesting.
This would be our favorite Christmas tree this season (and last). Secluded hotel in midtown. Hidden gem not yet plundered by tourism.
Christmas tree made of LCD TVs at the Grand Central station.
Times Square is always crowded but right now it is unbelievable. It is like Chandni Chowk right before Diwali. 31st night expects a million people in that little space. Those brave souls will stand in the bitter cold and ravaging winds. They will be put in pens with nowhere to go. No food to buy. No loo to pee. All this to see a crystal ball go down an aluminium pole. We say that calls for a bravery award.
Serendipity 3 is one of the gems of Newyork. The past few times we went there we were surprised by the half hour wait time at this famous dessert place. This week they have wait times of over three hours. We made a booking and then watched a movie at nearby Imaginasian. This Christmas tree was spectacular.
Once again, Happy New Year to our dear readers. Stay warm. Stay safe. Dont drink and drive. If you must, drink a lot of water, and stay clear of the cops. You dont want to get arrested on new year’s day!
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These are great pictures! I loved seeing them.
Wish you a very happy new year ahead! Cheers!
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Thanks Poonam! Happy new year to you too
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Never ever drink and drive!!
Nice pics! Happy new year to u and ur family!
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I looooooove being a tourist in NY. I walk looking up at the beautiful buildings. This year we went to Disney World. Otherwise we are usually in NYC around 30. With 2 kids we enjoy the hustle and bustle before the ball drop and chicken out of staying on 31 in NYC! HEH HEH HEH
Keep writing. Nice blog.
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@Reema – Thanks for the wishes!
@My3 – Welcome to Amreekandesi! Thanks for the appreciation
NYC is a fun place to hang out indeed. Even i have never seen the live ball drop on 31st – its too crowded for my comfort.
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I loved the pictures!!! Happy 2009 to you and your loved ones
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Happy New Year, Amreekan Desi. Wonderful pictures.
Yes, keeping terrorism aside, the year was great in terms of achievements.
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Happy New Year. Btw, you forgot. We beat the shit out of the Aussie cricket team too
Lovely pics there. Btw, there is something that i love about the US. Its the generous amount of the country’s flags on display. Even outside their homes.
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Happy New Year to you! Nice pictures and it also reminds me that how we missed seeing the crystal ball going down last year at Times square. Lazy jokers that we were, we reached around 5 pm at Times Square..and the whole area around the crystal ball was cordoned by then. Lucky you man!
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@Kiran – Thanks. Happy new year to you too
@Trailblazer – Happy new year to you. Glad you liked the pictures. Indeed this was an interesting year. Lots of good, and lots of bad. Terrorism as well as the economic problems.
@Philip – Happy new year. Thanks for the addition to the list.
Good point about the US flags. They display the flags everywhere, and people are really proud of the country. In India, it is hard to display flags due to some strict guidelines, plus maybe the people dont even really care that much.
@Dev – Happy new year to you
You at least reached times square at 5! I chickened out of going. You need to go very early, plus it was about 0F (-20 C) that night. And the idea of standing there in the cold for some 7-8 hours with not even a loo to go to if you need to pee, just to see a crystal ball, was not very appealing to me
I actually saw the ball drop rehearsal one day earlier (Dec 30). Put up a video on youtube as well. Check it out here
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Beautiful pics!! And yes, 2008 was quite eventful in both a positive and negative way. Lets hope that 2009 would be better.
Happy New Year!!!
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@Amit – Thanks. Happy new year to you
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New year 2010, 2 years from date post. Happy new year !!!!!!!!!!
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