By: Gabriela Yareliz “Did I tell you about the drugs?” the elderly woman under the hair heat lamp asked her stylist after a long period of silence. Her stylist, an older Italian gentleman, moved the cart with the foils and bowl of creamy goop he had just placed on her head. “Drugs?” He asked asContinue reading “Looking Around the Salon”
Tag Archives: anecdote
A Rainy Day
By: Gabriela Yareliz It’s raining inside of my train car. It’s not supposed to be raining in here, but there is a steady drip-drip. An Asian girl held out her hand and laughed, trying to catch a drop of the mystery liquid falling. I almost opened my umbrella in here, but instead moved to anotherContinue reading “A Rainy Day”
The Pole Battle
By: Gabriela Yareliz Some days on the train, we fight for our lives. Other days, we fight for our pride. There was a man who was leaning his whole body against a pole I needed to hold onto. Butt, torso, shoulders and head. I have never seen a body contort more to make so muchContinue reading “The Pole Battle”
A Golden Girl Who Turned Blue
By: Gabriela Yareliz When I got to the hotel after our walking tour, I had my work cut out for me. My navy linen dress had melted onto me. My chest and arms were blue (thank you, Banana Republic). I started with makeup remover wipes, moved onto a wet towel and then, showered. My eveningsContinue reading “A Golden Girl Who Turned Blue”
Baby Jesus
“Oh my word, we have one more. I didn’t see that one. Someone left us another baby Jesus!” Lady with the blue eyeshadow at the Citrus Welcome Center in Ocala By: Gabriela Yareliz Everywhere we went, we found baby Jesuses. At the citrus center, restaurants, coffee shops, and even our captain on the glass bottomContinue reading “Baby Jesus”
Intersections and Delays
By: Gabriela Yareliz I was absolutely sure someone was sabotaging my laundry run by holding the elevator on the fourth floor. Here’s the thing— the only way to get the basement where the machines are is via elevator. There is no staircase. I patiently waited (my frustration mounting). I wondered if I was going toContinue reading “Intersections and Delays”
Summer Stage
By: Gabriela Yareliz There is this 1 train that has a set of doors that don’t work. The local stop side opens fine, so you get on and don’t suspect a thing. Then, you get to the express stop, and only one opens, and the other door just stonewalls you. It’s always that awkward momentContinue reading “Summer Stage”
August Mini-Friday Note
By: Gabriela Yareliz I saw somewhere that a company wants to bring landlines back for children. I like it. It reminds me of spending hours on the phone with a friend. It’s a formative time. Screens don’t invite children to live real life. I am sitting on a train (I swear I spend most ofContinue reading “August Mini-Friday Note”
Lessons in Matcha
“The true gift of matcha is the ritual: the quiet, deliberate preparation, the grounding presence of whisking, the mindful act of drinking. It is nourishment for body, mind, and spirit alike.” Candice Kumai By: Gabriela Yareliz We went to the best matcha place in NYC. The place is always a vibe. It’s a different levelContinue reading “Lessons in Matcha”
Goodbye, Tired Braid
By: Gabriela Yareliz I had my oiled dirty hair in a tired braid. I decided I had had enough and wanted to get my hair done before the official end of summer schedule at work. I wandered into this beautiful Chelsea salon, and a petite Asian lady greeted me. The place was empty. I askedContinue reading “Goodbye, Tired Braid”
GABRIELA YARELIZ 