SUMMER TIME: NEW YORK CITY STREET VENDORS
Kaitha Het Heru
"MOMMIE! MOMMIE!" The Siren with her seductive voice was calling me before I rounded the corner.
Dressed in her colorful, traditional, african dress, the Enchantress, so named by me, seller of delicious cool drinks, was situated at her usual street corner spot in my neighborhood.
"MOMMIE! HERE! I GOT GINGER AND SORREL DRINK JUST FOR YOU...."
Just for me was right. OMG!!! The Ginger drink always the perfect balance of ginger and sugar, spicy and sweet. Sweet enough to rattle your teeth right down to the roots. Chilled to the exact temperature. Now, how do you suppose she keeps those drinks cold?
I drink her Ginger drink during hot summer days, and cold, blustery, snowy winter days. Yep, the Enchantress is out there at her usual spot in the winter. There, just for me.
The Sorrel drink, a lovely intense, deep-red color is a painter and dyer-of-textiles delight.
Sorrel is a sour-juiced plant. Prepared correctly, meaning with the right amount of sugar and "ting", it is the exact blend of sweet and sour.
For me, it's a--"I can't wait to get home, take off my sneakers, curl up with my IPAD, and do pochade, quick sketches, of the days' sights and feeling-tones of my neighborhood," --kinda of thing.
By the way, the herbs, Ginger and Sorrel, have nutritional properties, err, um, hmm, without the sugar, that is.
A life-long NYC dweller, do you know what I find attractive about New York City neighborhoods during the summer time? Come to think of it, the street vendors are out there in the fall and winter. It is the enthusiastic street vendors enticing you. The Sirens luring you to sample their wares with their seductive chants.
"MOMMIE! MOMMIE! HERE! I GOT GINGER AND SORREL DRINK JUST FOR YOU! MOMMIE!"
I am delighted to oblige them.
What is it about your city or town that inspires you to get to writing, drawing, singing in the shower, or just plan old humming and being grateful."