The incomparable prize

Dr Fahim Chand | Monday May 8, 2023 06:00

No Spirit Torino Valkyria Titanium headphones and their $12,800 price tag were needed for the audience of millions. This was an aural assault, notwithstanding subtle nuanced embellishments, that played out everyday.

The title of this anthem read, “the sounds of the city.” The one and only, Big Apple. No city in the world has a pulse as vibrant and unique as New York. Its status as the world’s economic engine carried with effortless swagger. This power palpable as one traverses its bustling avenues. As one approaches that familiar building that houses the New York Stock.

Exchange, one realises the fiscal might that is housed within. A decision and a few simple transactions from within can cause economic chaos and bring entire regions of this planet to their knees. My second favourite city in the world. My younger son Azeem and I navigated the teeming streets of Gotham city as we approached Columbus Circle. As we stepped onto the crowded subway I felt a wave of excitement rise within me. The subway system in New York had a personality very similar to the city itself. Brave and audacious. It followed its own incomprehensible rules and if you didn’t obey or understand, you were flat out of luck. It had been two years since we had been in Brooklyn and the possibility of a culinary adventure ramped up my heart rate. Azeem had just turned 15 and was an excellent ally in our quest to conquer the city.

As the train commenced its journey and gathered speed, we gazed out the window to be met with dueling dark tunnels and city lights flashing in a blur. As we crossed the Brooklyn Bridge the train slowed and stopped. Our eyes were met with the blue waters of the East River below us and the magnificent downtown Manhattan skyline to the right. Another glorious example of this city’s effortless swank. I looked up and smiled at Azeem, savouring the moment. I knew we were forging memories that would occupy hallowed spaces in both our histories.

Cherishing every single second, I was grateful to be able to share this experience with my son. His ability to complement and enhance everything around him is one of a kind. While indulgent in the epicentre of the gratifying sensory overload, the train finally continued its journey. It stopped at the Atlantic Av-Barclays Centre stop and we awaited our turn before exiting calmly. As we emerged from the subway station, the sound of honking horns and chatter filled the air.

We weaved our way through the busy streets, dodging people left and right until we finally reached Patsy’s pizzeria. Azeem and I eagerly stepped inside, the warmth of the restaurant washing over us like a comforting embrace. The walls were lined with photos of famous faces, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia as I gazed at the black-and-white images. It was clear that Patsy’s had been a beloved institution for decades. As we sat down, we were welcomed by the heady smell of freshly baked dough and melting cheese, transporting us to the heart of Italy. The delightful aroma stimulated our salivary apparatus and heightened our anticipation.

Brick walls gave the place a cozy and rustic look and the ambient lighting created a warm and welcoming atmosphere. In the centre of the restaurant, a wood-fired oven commands attention, emanating heat and flames that perfectly cook the pizzas to crispy perfection. The tables are adorned with red-and-white checkered tablecloths and simple elegant candles, transporting you to a simpler time, where family and food were at the center of everything.

Needless to say, when our pizza finally arrived, piping hot and covered in bubbling cheese, we both dug in with abandon. The crust was crispy and chewy, the sauce tangy and flavorful. And while it may have seemed impossible for two people to finish a pizza seemingly as large as the moon in the night sky, the only thing that remained were satisfied smiles etched onto the faces of two African boys. When our young waiter arrived at the table, he laughed and said, in an Italian-tinged accent, “You finished the whole thing.” We both nodded proudly. It had been a memorable culinary journey, with the pizza tasting delicious and reminiscent of the best of what Italy had to offer.

In fact, New York had not disappointed, with every meal being memorable. Our evening was just getting started. We crossed the street because the bright blue sign that read Barclays Center, home of the NBA Brooklyn Nets, drew us in. We expected Nets star Kyrie Irving to lead the Nets to victory. Basking in the energy of 18000 boisterous New Yorkers, the game was entertaining and had us screaming and cheering until the clock ran out.

We made our way to the subway, chatting and as usual laughing all the way. The vibe in the “city that never sleeps” continued to pulsate into the starlit night. I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. This trip with Azeem had reminded me of cherishing the little moments in life, of taking the time to slow down and savor the things that matter most. It is in our sharing of the tastiest churros we have ever eaten, it is in the wild laughter sparked by our hair trigger sense of humour and in basking in the glow and smile of my cherished child. And while surely the pizza was excellent, the incomparable prize was the strengthening of our unbreakable bond.