That’s Stella

Easter didn’t really FEEL like Easter this year. I tried to pinpoint exactly what it was that was missing, and came to the conclusion it was the lack of relief for the long weekend. Firstly, not only do a lot of people work on Good Friday here, but stores are open on Easter Sunday. Add to that the fact I haven’t been working, there really wasn’t that excitement for a weekend with plans of long drives or last season BBQ’s with family and friends before the weather gets too chilly.

I can’t imagine Easter egg hunting is as fun over here in New York for kids. I mean, parents would just have to hide them in their tiny apartments. I have fond memories of searching for colourful aluminium wrapped eggs in the garden and under leafy plants.

At first I thought my Easter was going to be pretty quiet and I planned to ignore it, but it turned out to be such a memorable day. My girl friends asked me to meet them for a bout of shopping so we spent a couple of hours roaming the streets and popping into the normal chains. We stopped by street vendors and I bought a $5 pair of sunglasses! Bargain! In the afternoon we walked back to the Village to have afternoon tea, and discovered this street fair just at the cross street to my apartment!! My road was blocked off for the fair and there were these markets with cheap jewellery and art and clothes and knick knacks and AMAZING street food - fried pork, cajun rice, sweet potatoes, herbed chicken, corn dogs, satays and deserts. I wanted to try all the food. I settled with fried Oreos!! (Oreos in batter deep fried coated with icing sugar). I had one and threw then rest away. The place was colourful and the sun was shining. It was one of the most amazing days I’ve experienced. I was thankful for the sun and the sounds and the sights and smells and amazing friends who were just as excited about the day as I was. We had afternoon tea at a nearby cake shop and I ended up going back to the street fair to buy some food for dinner that night.

Easter was bearable without family because I have my Jewish friends who seem completely oblivious to the holiday. Christmas on the other hand (even though my Jewish folk don’t celebrate it) will be completely unbearable on my own.