Tea Time

During the days that followed the hurricane, we stayed in. I made a few bike ventures out into the wind and rain to check in with friends, survey flood lines, and to run errands. This was an unusually bright and quiet morning in Bed Stuy spent drinking tea. GK and TB are the purveyors of good tea for the masses- carefully unwrapping flat cakes, steeping rolled leaves, dumping through bamboo slots, and pouring. In this hot water anointing we sit around the table sensing subtle fragrances and changes in the floppy, well-traveled leaves. Can you think of a better way to spend your morning?

I don't know much about tea, but I know that after an hour of this sitting, sipping, chatting I always feel much more optimistic about the state of things, even in times such as these. A million homes in New York and New Jersey are still without power and heat and 40,000 people have been made homeless by the hurricane's ravage. Please consider donating or volunteering to relief efforts. My heart is very heavy thinking of those who are without shelter- especially today as the first blanket of snow creeps steadily over the city.

Stay warm,
NRG

Hurricane Sandy pics up on the tumblr- http://natalieraegood.tumblr.com/