Himalaya’s Trip

17-July-2011 I started from Coimbatore airport to meet my parents and sister at Delhi. My parents and sister were starting from Chennai. We planned for 10 days vacation to Delhi, Shimla, Kulu and Manali. I was always afraid that my work would get affected during this vacation. Finally I decided to get rid-off the fear and make it for the trip (not matter what happens). My manager approved my vacation. On 16-July-2011 night we had a get together at ‘The Residency’ for one of our colleagues wedding treat. After a quick dinner we left. I was having this throat infection. But I was precautious enough to get all medicines on time. Next day morning 9:00 AM was my flight and I started by 7:00 AM from home. I reached Delhi by 1:00 PM, got to meet my parents and after visiting my father’s friend we started to ‘Shimla’ at 8:00 PM from Delhi. As usual my father and myself had conflict on a trivial issue (which I hardly remember). My mother and sister had to convince both of us.

18-July-2011 reached ‘Shimla’ at 7:00 AM. It was cloudy, cold, pleasant and welcoming. We reached the guest house. After refreshing ourselves we visited a few places. Our cab driver (who will be responsible for taking us everywhere) was the a person whom I didn’t think would meet. He became like a family friend. He had a family and he was very much lovable to his wife and kid. I have never seen such a satisfied person in life. I have never talked so close to my father (neither he) that we literally became friends. I vented out all my personal life experience in Trivandrum which my parents were not aware of. They were shocked to hear a few things. Not because I hid those truth to them but how I survived through all those odds. They gained a respect for me that I felt really proud off.

I liked Shimla very much – place, people, culture, food and also good looking girls :) … Each individual looked liked an artist. But they were hard-working people having their own principles. They had a moral in the life which they were living. On 21-July-2011 we started early morning at 6:00 AM and headed towards Kulu and Manali. My initial plan was to visit Shimla, get back home and allow my parents and sister to enjoy. But they were very particular on me being there. They insisted that next year none of us would be sure as to where we would be. Exactly as they said, now I am here in US, my sister in Riyadh and my parents in Chennai. I am really happy for their decision and I am very pleased that I accompanied till the end of the trip.

Reached Kulu by 8:00 PM. After some rest, we started towards skiing at 7:00 AM in the morning. It was really good. But the worst things - ice breaks, landslide and traffic. We were there to ski till afternoon. After a delightful lunch, headed towards a temple, paragliding and few other places. My parents and sister were tired, they were relaxing in the guest house. I took a walk outside. It was 11:00 PM, too cold (cannot walk with a T-Shirt and a trouser, though I did), the place was crowded with tourist from all over.

Once I told my sister and parents, we went for a small shopping. I don’t know why, when I was in Shimla I felt like it was a Switrzerland, Kulu 9and Manali) it was like Italy. It might sound crazy but I never mind :) … Next day we went to apple garden and started our way back to Delhi. We boarded for Delhi by 8:00 PM and reached by 8:00 AM. The climate was extremely opposite – hot, humid and irritating. We went for local sight-seeing for the day. The day before we started from Kulu we thought of skipping our Delhi trip. It was so nice that we loved it. I caught up with a friend from Delhi (over phone) since suddenly something made me to call and talk with a person whom I have not talked for over a year (it was a crest and trough talk). Next day was our trip to Taj-Mahal, Agra and Mathura. It was damn hot that I was sweating like anything. But I enjoyed the ancient intellectuals (thinking how they would have been as I associated them with each of the sculptures). We returned back tired. I was very hungry. We went to a south Indian hotel (guess its ‘Udipi’) and I had a full meals at 10:00 PM :) …

We headed back to our guest house with a sense of pride and joy. After some talk we went to bed. Next day morning 5:00 AM was my flight to Coimbatore. I started early and reached Coimbatore by 11:00 AM. Reached home by 12:00 noon. My parents and sister reached Chennai by 3:00 PM afternoon (I guess). It was a purely emotional, joyful and bonding trip for all of us.

Few things I learnt from the trip

- Life is never the same, overcome your ego and be nice with your parents, family and society. You will get the pleasure out of it. You feel that you are more matured.

- Meeting people and learning culture, society and life is a never ending experience. I met this cab driver, Sanjeev a good friend. He was emotionally moved when we left Shimla. He took a promise from me to return back to Shimla next time :) …

- Its not about visiting places alone when I go on such a trip – some thoughts run through my mind that makes me feel nostalgic. I called my friend just because of that.

I like it !!!

It was 20-May-2012 morning, sun was hitting my nose and eyes, I woke up pretty early (10:00 AM), I went out for a shopping to get some basic stuff – phone and SIM card (I was wondering how a communication device changed the face of the place where we live). Yes, I know that it is U.S, but was not struck in awe. Right from driving to lifestyle, food, culture, attitude and even people’s intelligence was quite different. I took an oath on that day to learn things myself (either through GOOGLE or experience). It was on a welcoming note that I started learning quite a few things all by myself. During my childhood days I used to wonder what makes these US kids different. I have an answer – “Right from so called kindergarten, kids are independent on what they do. Here every money counts and its well understood. Care for their nation, Attitude towards people and their own way of living (taking them through all extremes) are a few things to pick from the top of my head”.

On 21-May-2012 I went to office by 8:15 AM. I was in office till 7:30 PM. Sun was showing its face that I thought it would have been only 5:00. I rushed home. Had some dinner, spoke with my parents and went to bed. The routine continued for the next one week. Only difference is I worked from home over the long weekend. In the meanwhile I was searching for apartment, creating bank account, waiting to get my SSN, purchasing things for new house. Slowly I learned the meaning and efficiency of ‘Independency’. I had to live with my brother for 1.5 months (as I didn’t get an apartment till June end). By 27-June-2012 I moved to a new apartment. Since then things life took a good toll on me.

There were day I used to shout at people for their obvious agonizing act (inside my heart). I used to boil a lot. But now I am out of it. I would like to be a saint at the hilltop just forgetting the materialistic world. I take myself to such extremes to keep myself cool. Slowly things changed – Confidence, interaction with different nation people, people approach, work-life schedule and Patience.

Now I can cook, manage a house, pay my bills, take care of my health, manage my accounts, be agile in my personal outlook, build my interest and passion and finally keep things intact. All these might seem trivial but not for the person who has gone through all these phases.

It was 5:00 PM today evening I was having a relaxed time at work. I was going through my personal emails. I started feeling nostalgic about my trip to Delhi, Shimla, Kulu and Manali. I surely want to blog my experience and memories of the trip. It’s going to be pretty soon. Till then take care…

Life Changes

17-Mar-2012, along with my colleague went to Chennai to set up our new team. Since then it has been a fabulous experience for me. In 10 days, on 27-Mar-2012 my visa was approved. On 30-Mar-2012 I saw this approval notice in USCIS at 10:00 PM, after my usual dinner. I was overwhelmed (which was welcoming news to many) and excited. I had to wake up my parents at 22:30, who was overjoyed. It was a sleepless night. I was asked to follow up immediately to get my Visa stamped at the earliest. Vineeth and Jagan visited Chennai 13th and 14th April. We had a long night discussion. My stamping date came on 24-April-2012. The morning I got calls – ‘Many more happy returns’ & ‘All the best’. My interview was at 11:00 AM. I was there at the embassy by 10:30 AM. I don’t know why, when I was in this embassy I had this don’t care attitude, maybe I had learnt life by then . N11 was my token number and when I was called I was confronted to be interviewed by a tall guy. A few questions and by 11:15 my visa was approved – ‘A memorable birthday gift’. I was not even convinced that I got a visa. I came out, took an auto and went to my guest house. I had a shower and lunch by 3:00 PM. I went to office at 3:00 PM. Started getting calls on my travel preferences and the day was memorable one. At a moment all the instances which happened in my 26 years flashed like a comet. But except for a few office colleagues and close friends and my parents no one knew about this Visa stamping. I would like to get my passport to confirm news. On 26-April-2012 I got my stamped visa at Coimbatore office. On 27-April-2012 I left Chennai (as my one month tenure got over by then).

On 30-April-2012, I got to see my passport. I was asked to travel at the earliest. But I wanted to ensure that I don’t miss my sister’s marriage, on 16-May-2012. I was asked to travel on 18-May-2012. The next two weeks was sleepless and tiresome (but had happiness and enjoyment) – Sister marriage preparation, my purchases, my sister purchase (as she has to travel to Riyadh) and added to that the new house which I bought and the related commitments. Days went by – purchases happened well before that, packing was planned and my tickets were finalized by 10-May-2012. By then I got my house registered too. I owe my thanks to Jwala, Dad and Mom. They helped me a lot from purchasing to packing and advising. Special thanks to Vineeth and Jagan who helped me a lot with my Sister Marriage and my purchases. On 15-May-2012 (day before my Sister Marriage), I realized the unconditional love these people had on me. They never gave me up in front of any circumstance. They have been through my crest and trough like no one. I remember, 14-May-2012 when I was speaking to Vineeth till early morning. On 15-May-2012 I was ready for my Sister Marriage reception. I had many of my friends coming to wish. It was really a memorable moment. On 15-May-2012 I went to bed at 02:00 AM. By now, my packing is 90% done, sold my bike, and I was all ready. On 16-May-2012 I woke up my 5:00 AM and reached the mandap by 6:30 AM. After all the regular rituals my sister got married at 11:00 AM – affectionate tears, happiness, wishes, fun and frolic was filled in the air. My father was literally speechless for five minutes. I suddenly felt empty. Everyone started and by 11:00 PM everyone reached home. Next one day was rigorous travel preparation. I missed Jwala very much on 17-May-2012. She used to be around helping me in packing, asking me questions. By 18-May-2012 we went to Jwala’s in-law house in Coimbatore. It was her Birthday and that we went to wish her with a small gift. I was able to notice that she was very silent and matured. It looked like I saw my mom 20 years back. Even now my heart was filled with her and I missed her very much when we walked out of her house on 18-May-2012. My flight to Chennai was at 21:30 and that Jwala agreed to give me a send-off. She was to travel to Chennai on same night at 20:30. So I started by 18:00, picked up Jwala, went to airport by 19:30. After couple of minutes they left. I checked in my luggage for Chennai flight and was in the waiting area to see Vineeth and Jagan. They agreed to come by 20:00 and they came by 20:15. We had a coffee and chat for 30 minutes and all of us departed with a hug.

I reached Chennai by 22:30. It was an irritating atmosphere there to wait till 02:00 AM the next morning. I was allowed inside the international by 02:00 AM. I had to fly to Abu-Dhabi and my flight was scheduled at 05:30 AM. After the check-in, port of departure and regular security check I waited for nearly 2:30 hours inside the international terminal. I was not feeling well and was a disgusting situation. By 5:15 I boarded the flight. After a quick breakfast, I slept for 2 hours. I reached Abu-Dhabi by 9:30 AM local time. It was too hot but never felt so. I just got down, had two rounds of Security check and checked in to my Chicago flight which was at 11:30 AM local time. Didn’t even get time to look around the airport; Saw a few sky scrapers during takeoff and landing.

It was a long journey from there to Chicago. Same air-hostess, cramped seat and a small seat TV with some movies. I remember eating and sleeping every 4 hours. Suddenly this guy from Tehran next to me, asked how to use this TV (he was meddling with it all through the journey). I cleared him that we will reach US in next 1 hour and still he wants to see his T.V. As if he understood he nodded his head as he doesn’t know much of English. Finally he got to see an Iranian movie. I reached Chicago by 16:30. In my port of entry interview, the officer (a new one very obvious) was asking some questions and making calculation of my tenure here in US. This guy was calculating 11 months using his fingers for nearly 5 minutes – Wondering how far people go????? I was tired and just wanted to get some sleep. After the interview I checked out my luggage and checked in to my flight to Arkansas. In the domestic terminal, I had a good time roaming around airport. Finally I got to catch my 19:30 flight to Arkansas. Reached Bentonville by 20:30 (15 minutes earlier than expected). The flight hardly had 15 people, Coimbatore airport is far crowded. I didn’t even see a single human for nearly 15 minutes. After checking with a security officer (if it is an airport), I headed my way out. Arun was waiting near the checkout section to pick me. Reached home by 21:00, had food, watched some TV, informed my parents and went to bed by 23:30 CDT …

My experience here in US will be on strong learning note. Will be back soon, till then have a good one..