I haven't been back to New York since I moved to London with my James a few years ago. At the time of our leaving I had had enough of New York and was happy to move on, but you can't really live in a place for a significant length of time without it becoming a part of you and you a part of it and over the past few years I've been quite nostalgic for certain aspects of my New York life.

This New York visit was not nearly long enough for me to do all the things I wanted to do, but it was certainly a Fabulous trip. I:

chatted endlessly with my sister:

basked in the beautiful spring weather,

New York is at its most gorgeous in April and May and for my entire week there the sunshine was brilliant and the air cool and delicious.

marvelled at all the changes that had taken place during my absence,

There has been a lot of construction going on in New York since I was last here. Seems as though all the little pre-WWII 5 story walk ups and other buildings from the 40s are being replaced by luxury apartments which only the very rich can afford. A very good hospital used to stand in this spot just 3 years ago.

This brand new African Burial Ground Monument commemorates the story of the African Burial Ground, a 6 acre cemetery for free and enslaved Africans dating back to the 17th and 18th century, which only came to light in 1991 during excavation of the site for a new federal building.

New bus stops with seats and new electric bus. 5 stars!!!

indulged in my favourite New York treats (with moderation I should add, no blow out binges for me),

I'd been dreaming of a good old fashion New York diner breakfast for a long time. So I stopped off at the Mansion Diner and Oh My God: THEY'VE RENOVATED. Same layout but brand spanking new everything. It was so early I had the place to myself.

Sorry, but you haven't had a Bagel until you have had a New York Bagel!

So many to choose from!!!

treated my tired and calloused feet to a deep massage and pedicure,

What's a visit to New York without a pedicure. New York has more nail care places per square block than any other city in USA or Europe. I've been going to this tiny one around the corner from my apartment for years.

Ahhh! Now I'm ready to paint the town.

took some long walks down memory lane,

This is the first place I lived when I moved to New York ... well the second if you count the few months I lived in my friend P's grandmother's basement apartment until I got myself set up.

I woke up at dawn on Memorial Day and took a walk through Carl Schultz Park which borders the East River. I used to start my morning with a jog along this river at sunrise for many years. It is such a beautiful and peaceful place.

Citigroup on Wall Street, where James and I met 9 years ago.

Brooklyn Bridge as seen from South Street Seaport, where we spent many an evening after work eating ice cream, chatting and watching the sun set.

James old apartment building in Battery Park City.

savoured all the things that make New York so New York,

Ah, the New York City Subway!!!

I just love New York townhouses better known as brownstones. I used to fantasise about owning one before I realised I'd need to be a millionare.

Harlem, one of the most important social and cultural centers of African life in America.

That dot in the distance is Lady Liberty herself !!!

The Chrysler Building is just spectacular, day or night!!!

Love this sculpture!!!

This one too!!!

Look, there's still debris in his briefcase from when the World Trade Center fell around him!!!

This photo by an old teacher of mine Jeff Mermelstein shows the same statue above in the aftermath of the WTC disaster.

caught a terrific exhibition at the Studio Museum of Harlem called Flow. It showcased the work of emerging artists from Africa,

saw an incredible performance of the New York City Ballet,

took advantage of the super strong ££££ to indulge in some retail therapy (which in my opinion could only really be considered therapy if I had a personal shopper do all my shopping for me),

went to the opening of an En Foco Exhibition,

and then ... all too soon it was time to say au revoir ...

Stay tuned for the next post when Nona discusses what she is doing to lose 25kgs before she turns 90 ....

Oh right, I almost forgot. This is a weight loss blog. Huuummm!!! Still haven't been doing much about my weight loss goals ... just coasting along day after day eating whatever I feel like which invariably means that I eat breakfast and dinner and skip lunch. I'm going to New York on Thursday which doesn't bode well for my eating but does bode very well for my exercise.

Last of the Tunisian Photos

It's been over a month since we got back from Tunisia and I still haven't posted the rest of the photos I promised. So here they are. Click each photo if you want a better view.

Accommodation - As mentioned James and I stayed in locally owned accommodations which all had their own personalities. Here are my top 6 favourites:

This is a room in a funduq. Funduqs were a common feature of medieval Islamic cities, and are usually composed of at least two floors of rooms arranged around a central courtyard. They provided traveling merchants with accommodation and storage space for goods and animals. This funduq was located in Houmt Souq on the island of Djerba.

A troglodyte dwelling is essentially a cave. To survive the intense summer temperatures of Southern Tunisia, the Berber learnt to create dwellings under the earth where they were able to stay cool. I'm prone to claustrophobia and was a little freaked out at the idea of sleeping underground, but the troglodytes were really well designed and cozy and I actually enjoyed the experience.

We stayed in the hotel built under this boardwalk in the seaside town of Monastir. Every room looked out over the Mediterranean ocean.

We returned to Monastir on our way back to Tunis and stayed in another hotel where our windows and balcony looked out over the marina.

These were our beds in the Bedouin tent in the oasis of Ksar Guilane in the Sahara. The tent was amazingly well insulated which was a good thing because the temperature at night felt more like the South Pole than the Sahara. I wish I'd taken a picture of the outside.


Ruins

Tunisia is filled with the vestiges of the various civilizations that invaded, colonised and mingled with the indigenous Berber population over 2 mellenia.

The Phoenicians (modern day Lebanese), the Romans, the Ottomans (one area of modern day Turkey), the Byzantines (another area of modern day Turkey), the Arabs, and last of all the French have all left they mark on Tunisia.

As mentioned before the Arabs are responsible for much of the wonderful architecture to be found throughout Tunisia, such as this monument to the first President of independent Tunisia, Habib Bourguiba.

and the French built all the Nouvelle Villes like this one already shown.

Of all the ancient civilisations it is the Romans that have left the most indelible mark on Tunisia. The Northern part of Tunisia is littered with Roman ruins. Just driving along we would stumble upon disembodied columns or arches like this one below.

Here is a sampling of some of the Roman ruins we visited:

The town of Bulla Regia

An arch in the town of Haidra

Coliseum El Gem

The tunnel Gladiators walked through on their way to meet their deaths. Gives new meaning to the saying 'I can see the light at then end of the tunnel'.

Dougga

Roman Road in the town of Dougga

Temple

Romans created amazing mosaics to adorn their floors. Many of these can still be seen at the various ruins but most now reside in the Bardo Museum in Tunis which is considered to contain the best Roman mosaics in the world.

Carthage

All that is left of the ancient Phoenician city of Carthage which reached it's height in the 9th century BC before it was invaded and destroyed by Rome which in turn built a new Carthage on it's ruins.

Part of a mosaic which tells the story of Ulysses. Here Ulysses is bound to the mass of his ship so he cannot respond to the call of the sirens.

These two columns to be found in the Great Mosque of Kairouan were recycled from one of the many roman ruins around the country.


Culture/Miscellaneous
Just a collection of random things I found interesting:

One of the most beautiful things I have ever heard in my life was the sound of the Koran being spoken melodically (sounds like singing but technically it is not) from this mosque. We were walking back to our hotel after dinner one night when the Muezzin (the person who issues the call for prayer) began and it stopped us dead in our tracks. It was so incredibly soulful and beautiful that even though I didn't understand the words, I understand the meaning in such an intensely visceral way that it made me weep.

Okay I know how to read it and what it means, but how do I say it?

Cow head or entrails anyone?

Graffiti Art

These dried chili peppers are used to make harissa, a red hot paste which is used as a condiment and/or as an ingredient in Tunisian cuisine.

Look up can offer such wonderful surprises.

Now that's what I call a bus stop.

I could do a whole photo essay on the benches of the world. It is incredible how much variety can be found in such a simple functional public object.

Probably as many donkeys as they are cars in Tunisia.

Now who knew that cork grows on trees? I didn't. Actually, I never though about it until we visited this cork forest. The cork has been removed from most of the bark of this cork oak tree, leaving some cork bark only towards the top. Apparently, a cork oak must be at least 25 years old before its bark can be harvested. Its cork can then be stripped every 8 to 14 years after that for as long as the tree lives.

Traditional Berber ankle bracelets and wooden shoes shown on a mannequin. I guess they're designed to keep women from running away.

This guy is wearing a traditional Berber garment called a Jalaba.

Almost every town has some sort of sculpture at it's entrance and exit. I though this one was really lovely.

This was one at the exit of the desert town Douz.

Camels are a much loved motif in Southern Tunisia.

Need I say more?

Tunisia has an amazing system of well kept roads. But the drivers are insane. Here is an example of the kind of craziness that needs to be monitored by someone.

The plaza at night in Houmt Souq.

Craftsman working patiently to embed silver in this carpet comb.

The Great Mosque of Kairouan is the oldest Muslim place of prayer in North Africa and is commonly regarded as the fourth holiest site in IslamafterMecca, Medina and Jerusalem.


This Bedouin instrument sounds a little like a bagpipe. It is made from gazelle skin and various horns.

Public transport taking the Bedouine to the oasis town of Douz 100 kilometers away.

Say what????

Would also be interesting to do a series of photos on the various animals one is warned to look out for on the highways from one country to the next.

So when can we move in?

Lately, I haven't felt like blogging. Can't explain why. Every time I thought about writing it just felt like too much effort. It hasn't helped that I have been super busy.

I quickly found out though, that not blogging poses a danger to my staying on track. My food, exercise and water intake have been patchy ... sometimes disastrous and obviously I haven't been happy with that.

On the other hand, I have been feeling quite happy with my life. Last week the sun began to shine in London and the weather turned warm and balmy. London is the kind of city that needs the sun. It transforms the place ... somewhat.

James and I did some spring cleaning and spring planting on Saturday, had a friend over on Sunday and it was so beautiful we were able to have our lunch out on the patio.

This morning I did half and hour on the elliptical trainer and then lifted some free weights. Think I'll begin to post my food again starting tomorrow.

Thanks to you all for your kind words and encouragement. I will press on as must you.