Day 7
Aswin owns a Limousine!!
The day dawned. Nice bright sunny one! More because I need to go the nearest AVIS rent-a-car to get my own car for the week. Me and Sreeram went for our breakfast.
Well laid out with Cereals, French fries, scrambled egg, milk, juice, donuts, muffins, bread etc…So many. Had a grab of each one (Well Muffins, my favorite, grabbed many!). After my breakfast, I called on my friends in the Hotel (they have come here on work for 3 months) to take me in their car to the rental office.
Deepak agreed and I drove the car to the place which was around 8 miles. He had a Hyundai Elantra and a nice one to drive. Once I took the car out of the hotel, it started raining heavily, (deepak’s view “it has not rained like this till now during my stay. All the best”) I was slightly tensed as driving another car and rain through a very narrow lane.We drove slowly and finally reached the destination. It helped me a lot as I came to know about the traffic rules. I needed to as I’ll be driving back alone.
We reached the place where I showed my papers for the car. She checked the system and said “I have a very few middle sized cars. So I give you a free upgrade if you want a big car (SUV, something like the Sumo) or a free double upgrade if you take the Limousine. We went outside to see the cars. The available ones were a ford escort, Mercury Grand Marquis (Limousine) and the SUV (Subaru). Limousine was good, but very lengthy and broad, everyone insisted that I lent the limousine. Half hearted and with slight fear, I agreed for the Limousine and requested for GPS too. (GPS – Global Positioning System shows the complete route of America, where you can enter the destination address. It will calcalute the route and show it completely and will be moving along with us as we drive. Even if we take a wrong turn / route, it will re-calculate and bring us back to the correct route / destination.) I just don’t want to get lost in USA – there will be no-one on the road to help me with the route.
So, I took the limo and she explained me the gears, seat adjusters, wipers, lights etc. I was to drive back alone. With great confidence, I told that I can manage as I’ve the GPS.
So I took the car back to the hotel. The drive was neat and very quickly, I was able to adjust to the length of the car and angles of turn. But I took a wrong turn, GPS helped a lot on the way. Finally I reached the hotel and I sensed a joy for this big morale victory. Now I became confident with the car, but freeways (highways), hmm…lets see tomorrow.
We decided to go to a Indian Restaurant “Mysore Veggie” for lunch. There were 8 of us, so we decided to take only 2 cars. (Mine was not taken! Gladly..) It was a 20 min drive to the hotel. Nice clean place, where you get Bhajjis, Dosas, Idlis and Thali meals. Authentic South Indian style. I ordered for the thali where you get unlimited Masala Dosas too!
Food aah!! Very tasty, yummy crispy masala dosas served with hot sambar and thick chutney.. perfect! After the very sumptuous lunch, we decided to go the Nishant’s house to play Tennis. Fine, a game I’ve watched only on TV, but now I’m going to play. Is that fantastic?
Awesome apartments – Nishant’s. They even had a private pond for the residents with a lake where you go boating. I was surprised with the security at the entrance to the flats.
At the main entrance, the door remains locked. You need to press the apartment number you wish to enter. They will get a call and will call you back. If they think, they know you, they press a button and the door opens. Then you can go to the flat.
We got the rackets and went to the play arena. Nice 2 courts. We were 7 and had only 5 rackets. In one court, 4 of them started playing doubles and in the other, there was one gentleman, an Indian playing alone. He was kind enough to offer his extra racket but only singles against him. Better something than nothing.
Me and Sanjay waited for our turn. They played and whoever loses, will be out. The Indian played really well and bet Ajit by 6-0. It was my chance to play against him. I was sure to lose 6-0. For the first time in my life I got to hold a tennis racket. Dreamt of playing against Pete Sampras. First two games, I played badly but was building confidence as my cricket skills helped me with power strokes and got used to getting the right speed and height to put the ball in the court. I played well the next two games and narrowly lost in the deuce (40-40). He was leading 4-0. Then I got the right touch and started playing really well. I won the next three games and back 4-3. But overconfidence – started hitting the ball so hard that I lost the next two and 5-3. I won the next game to be @ 5-4. He was serving the next game and I was desparate to get this game to tie the set. The game went on for around 20 mins. 10 times deuce and finally he won. He came to me and congraluted me.
“You played really well. First time in US I’m getting such a tough opponent. I live at 23-D and you can come to our house anytime to get the rackets to play. Maybe we can get together once in a while too.” He said. Little did he know I was to go 10000 miles away from him in a week. He gave his rackets and we continued playing Again I lost to Nishant (he plays really well) narrowly 6-4. But everyone were very tired, I was still fresh. My cricket strength helped me a lot. All were surprised with me. So much weight and still so much stamina. Awesome! I felt great.
It started to rain and we decided to go back to the hotel. Around 8.45 PM, we reached the hotel. One of my colleagues had cooked dinner and I was very hungry that I devoured. Small menu. Rasam, Rice, Yogurt, Pickles and Chips. It was good enough for us.
I started to feel tired and sleepy. So went back to the room, checked my mails and wanted to sleep. But got a call. “Are you coming to play cards? “ a voice. It was Ajit.
Again enthu started to flow through my veins. Went to his room and we started to play rummy. After 1.5 hours I was so sleepy that I quit the game and dozed off..
What a day! Even Pete Sampras would have loved to play against me… Let alone Sania Mirza…. Good Night…
Watch out for Day 8 – “A rest day on the cards!!”
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Day 6 - Aswin, the terror epidemic spreads.
Day 6
Aswin – the terror epidemic spreads
It was the last day for me in New Jersey. Today we have a visit to Dunkin Donuts ( a very large and famous fast food chains) Warehouse, but this time as customers!
We got up late as the visit was planned at 1.30 PM. After I woke up, I booked my taxi to the airport and also asked the Sterling office in Lowell to rent me a self driven car for the next week.
We were invited for a lunch at a nearby Thai cuisine by the Voxware Director which we gladly accepted. By 1200,we were ready but we are never on time. We had one parcel to be shipped to Lowell office for which we had to go to the nearest UPS office (USA Postal Service). By the time we reached the place, it was 12.30. Alas, we were in middle of a huge mall and we didn’t know where exactly PENANG (restaurant) is! We searched and found it but by the time we met the director, it was 1.20 PM. We didn’t want to get late for the Warehouse visit, so half heartedly, we proceeded to Dunkin Donuts. It was for the first time, I’m visiting a warehouse. 300,000 Sq. Feet, a medium sized one, while we entered, I was in for a shock. I was expecting muffins, cakes, bagels and coffees, but this is the place where they store the raw material to be shipped. Withstanding yet another disappointment, we had a visit of the complete warehouse. After that, the aroma of the place was having a cruel, hungry impact on us. We decided to find a nearest Dunkin Donuts store to fill our stomachs.
It was just 4 miles away. I had a ICED Coffee (French Vanilla flavor) and a chocolate chip muffin. It was so tasty that I had a Honey dew muffin for take away. It was time for my taxi to arrive to go to the airport. My flight was at 8.30 PM.
It was a nice black limousine and by 5.15 PM, I was at the airport. I went directly for the check in where I was surprised not to find my name. The attendant told me that I was on wait list.
“What the heck? I booked this flight 1 month and you say I’m on waitlist!” I nearly yelled.
“Sorry Sir, two flights to Boston were cancelled and they were moved to the next two flights.” She said.
“Do I have any other options, any other flight, any other airline?” – This was a pleading.
“No sir. You need to be in the waitlist or accept monetary benefit if you wish to take the flight tomorrow” Her voice was stern.
“Please check again, there will be some.” I pleaded.
“Wait a minute, there is one seat available in 5.45 PM flight and I can put you into that!” She sounded confident.
“But the time is already 5.40 PM. Security check and boarding , I wont be able to make it! Also, my baggage wont get into the flight!” My sound was almost breaking.
“Ok, you better wait. There are great chances of people coming from Atlanta missing the Boston flight as their flight is already late. You are just 3rd in the list” She sounded more orderish.
Left with no other option, I took the pass and proceeded to the security check. There was a lady at the entrance who was checking our tickets and marked it. I wont forget her. You’ll come to know why!
I proceeded into the lane. Bah! Removed my shoes, belt, literally everything except my attire. I proceeded through the passage where one gentleman glanced at my ticked and told “Special Screening!” What? Everyone else went through, I was moved aside.
Another guy came and took me to his cabin and told me to cooperate for the screening.
I was shocked. Almost felt I was eating Chappati and chutney in US Jail! (Dunno reason why I dreamt chappati and chutney, but it was natural) Treatment was professional. As if I had done something great wrong or maybe NOT!
“Why me?” I asked.
“Chances are that you are going one way or traveling for the first time or any other reason” He replied.
They checked me and took everything, literally everything from my cabin baggage to check. Then after intriguing 25 minutes, I was allowed to proceed with sincere apologies from them. Oh! A sigh of relief. It was 6.15 PM and I reached my terminal.
There was one lady attendant standing there. I asked her whether there are any chances for me to get my ticket confirmed.
She told me “I still have one ticket with me for 5.45 PM flight, which apparently has not left. You leave the checked in baggage and it will be delivered to you if it is late and take the flight” I agreed and got into the flight. After an hour I was there.
“Welcome to Boston Logan Airport” I went to the baggage place to check my baggage, but as she promised it had not arrived. I stood for an hour in the queue for Baggage claim where I gave my address to which I wanted my baggage to be delivered.
I came to know that the 8.30 PM flight had got delayed by 4 hours and will reach by only 3.00 AM. Lucky fellow! I thought.
As I was early, there was no chances for my taxi to come at that time. I took a taxi driven by a handsom American whom I suppose didn’t know the place. He took me through very deserted streets which were very lonely and at 10.00 PM at night. Imagine me! I was scared out of wits. I was even ready to give him all the money if he tries to loot me. But wanted him to drop me at the hotel after the loot!
But everything went fine and I reached the hotel by 11.00 PM in one piece. I checked into the hotel and was given a neat room with kitchen. After a small check of mails, I was ready for my sleep after yet another eventful evening. Next day! I was despo to get my rented car!
Watch out for Day 6 – “Aswin's Own Mercury Limousine!!!!”
Aswin – the terror epidemic spreads
It was the last day for me in New Jersey. Today we have a visit to Dunkin Donuts ( a very large and famous fast food chains) Warehouse, but this time as customers!
We got up late as the visit was planned at 1.30 PM. After I woke up, I booked my taxi to the airport and also asked the Sterling office in Lowell to rent me a self driven car for the next week.
We were invited for a lunch at a nearby Thai cuisine by the Voxware Director which we gladly accepted. By 1200,we were ready but we are never on time. We had one parcel to be shipped to Lowell office for which we had to go to the nearest UPS office (USA Postal Service). By the time we reached the place, it was 12.30. Alas, we were in middle of a huge mall and we didn’t know where exactly PENANG (restaurant) is! We searched and found it but by the time we met the director, it was 1.20 PM. We didn’t want to get late for the Warehouse visit, so half heartedly, we proceeded to Dunkin Donuts. It was for the first time, I’m visiting a warehouse. 300,000 Sq. Feet, a medium sized one, while we entered, I was in for a shock. I was expecting muffins, cakes, bagels and coffees, but this is the place where they store the raw material to be shipped. Withstanding yet another disappointment, we had a visit of the complete warehouse. After that, the aroma of the place was having a cruel, hungry impact on us. We decided to find a nearest Dunkin Donuts store to fill our stomachs.
It was just 4 miles away. I had a ICED Coffee (French Vanilla flavor) and a chocolate chip muffin. It was so tasty that I had a Honey dew muffin for take away. It was time for my taxi to arrive to go to the airport. My flight was at 8.30 PM.
It was a nice black limousine and by 5.15 PM, I was at the airport. I went directly for the check in where I was surprised not to find my name. The attendant told me that I was on wait list.
“What the heck? I booked this flight 1 month and you say I’m on waitlist!” I nearly yelled.
“Sorry Sir, two flights to Boston were cancelled and they were moved to the next two flights.” She said.
“Do I have any other options, any other flight, any other airline?” – This was a pleading.
“No sir. You need to be in the waitlist or accept monetary benefit if you wish to take the flight tomorrow” Her voice was stern.
“Please check again, there will be some.” I pleaded.
“Wait a minute, there is one seat available in 5.45 PM flight and I can put you into that!” She sounded confident.
“But the time is already 5.40 PM. Security check and boarding , I wont be able to make it! Also, my baggage wont get into the flight!” My sound was almost breaking.
“Ok, you better wait. There are great chances of people coming from Atlanta missing the Boston flight as their flight is already late. You are just 3rd in the list” She sounded more orderish.
Left with no other option, I took the pass and proceeded to the security check. There was a lady at the entrance who was checking our tickets and marked it. I wont forget her. You’ll come to know why!
I proceeded into the lane. Bah! Removed my shoes, belt, literally everything except my attire. I proceeded through the passage where one gentleman glanced at my ticked and told “Special Screening!” What? Everyone else went through, I was moved aside.
Another guy came and took me to his cabin and told me to cooperate for the screening.
I was shocked. Almost felt I was eating Chappati and chutney in US Jail! (Dunno reason why I dreamt chappati and chutney, but it was natural) Treatment was professional. As if I had done something great wrong or maybe NOT!
“Why me?” I asked.
“Chances are that you are going one way or traveling for the first time or any other reason” He replied.
They checked me and took everything, literally everything from my cabin baggage to check. Then after intriguing 25 minutes, I was allowed to proceed with sincere apologies from them. Oh! A sigh of relief. It was 6.15 PM and I reached my terminal.
There was one lady attendant standing there. I asked her whether there are any chances for me to get my ticket confirmed.
She told me “I still have one ticket with me for 5.45 PM flight, which apparently has not left. You leave the checked in baggage and it will be delivered to you if it is late and take the flight” I agreed and got into the flight. After an hour I was there.
“Welcome to Boston Logan Airport” I went to the baggage place to check my baggage, but as she promised it had not arrived. I stood for an hour in the queue for Baggage claim where I gave my address to which I wanted my baggage to be delivered.
I came to know that the 8.30 PM flight had got delayed by 4 hours and will reach by only 3.00 AM. Lucky fellow! I thought.
As I was early, there was no chances for my taxi to come at that time. I took a taxi driven by a handsom American whom I suppose didn’t know the place. He took me through very deserted streets which were very lonely and at 10.00 PM at night. Imagine me! I was scared out of wits. I was even ready to give him all the money if he tries to loot me. But wanted him to drop me at the hotel after the loot!
But everything went fine and I reached the hotel by 11.00 PM in one piece. I checked into the hotel and was given a neat room with kitchen. After a small check of mails, I was ready for my sleep after yet another eventful evening. Next day! I was despo to get my rented car!
Watch out for Day 6 – “Aswin's Own Mercury Limousine!!!!”
Monday, July 30, 2007
Day 5 - Philadelphia Park – Budding Las Vegas of the EAST!
Day 5
Philadelphia Park – Budding Las Vegas of the EAST!
It became a routine. Wake up, have breakfast and be there for the training by 9.00 AM. It was the final day and we were getting all our doubts cleared and getting things going from our side. The business day ended by 5.30 PM and then came the main part – where to go?
We thought of going to Atlantic City which is near and famous for Casinos. (Casinos is American Formal Name for Money Gambling. We do it on the road and they do it formally with huge buildings, attendants and stuff like that!) But one person from Voxware told us about another famous casino in Philadelphia – called the PHILADELPHIA PARK!
We decided to go there as it was very near and finish our dinner also there. They say you get food and drinks at throwaway prices there. It was around 30 miles from our hotel. Huge place this park! I don’t know how big the Atlantic City and Las Vegas are! I went in with my camera and started taking pictures with them. Suddenly from nowhere a big fat, heavy built person came to me and told “You are NOT ALLOWED to take pictures here!!!” I was taken back by his yell. So quick was our reaction that Naveen took our cameras and went straight to the car, put them there.
We went in and found food was costly! Also, all the restaurants were closed. There was one snack bar which had very limited menu. It was only 9.30 PM. We decided to go out for dinner and come back as the Casino closes only by 3.00 AM.
GPS, as usual came to our rescue (Imagine a ride without GPS in America? No!). We spotted an Indian Restaurant within 4 miles. It was Maurya Indian Cuisine. We reached there by 9.45 PM and had to order fast as they were to close by 10 PM. I ordered Malai Kofta, Basmati Rice and Sweet Lassi. Enjoyed it immensely.
Everything was set for us to go back to the casino. Cowboys of the east, beware! Naveen is entering the zone! He was despo for a game there and in, we went! There were loads of machine games, lots of people and lots of losses. We couldn’t get a single clue of any game! Finally we understood a game, in which Naveen lost his 5 USD in 50 seconds. Anand was better as he delayed the inevitable for 5 minutes.
That’s it! 10 USD donated in 350 seconds. Good Night Folks!!!!
Watch out for Day 6 – “Aswin, the terror epidemic spreads”
Philadelphia Park – Budding Las Vegas of the EAST!
It became a routine. Wake up, have breakfast and be there for the training by 9.00 AM. It was the final day and we were getting all our doubts cleared and getting things going from our side. The business day ended by 5.30 PM and then came the main part – where to go?
We thought of going to Atlantic City which is near and famous for Casinos. (Casinos is American Formal Name for Money Gambling. We do it on the road and they do it formally with huge buildings, attendants and stuff like that!) But one person from Voxware told us about another famous casino in Philadelphia – called the PHILADELPHIA PARK!
We decided to go there as it was very near and finish our dinner also there. They say you get food and drinks at throwaway prices there. It was around 30 miles from our hotel. Huge place this park! I don’t know how big the Atlantic City and Las Vegas are! I went in with my camera and started taking pictures with them. Suddenly from nowhere a big fat, heavy built person came to me and told “You are NOT ALLOWED to take pictures here!!!” I was taken back by his yell. So quick was our reaction that Naveen took our cameras and went straight to the car, put them there.
We went in and found food was costly! Also, all the restaurants were closed. There was one snack bar which had very limited menu. It was only 9.30 PM. We decided to go out for dinner and come back as the Casino closes only by 3.00 AM.
GPS, as usual came to our rescue (Imagine a ride without GPS in America? No!). We spotted an Indian Restaurant within 4 miles. It was Maurya Indian Cuisine. We reached there by 9.45 PM and had to order fast as they were to close by 10 PM. I ordered Malai Kofta, Basmati Rice and Sweet Lassi. Enjoyed it immensely.
Everything was set for us to go back to the casino. Cowboys of the east, beware! Naveen is entering the zone! He was despo for a game there and in, we went! There were loads of machine games, lots of people and lots of losses. We couldn’t get a single clue of any game! Finally we understood a game, in which Naveen lost his 5 USD in 50 seconds. Anand was better as he delayed the inevitable for 5 minutes.
That’s it! 10 USD donated in 350 seconds. Good Night Folks!!!!
Watch out for Day 6 – “Aswin, the terror epidemic spreads”
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Day 4 - Oak Tree Road - Indian USA
Day 4
Oak Tree Road – The Indian USA
Day 4 – Four has been my lucky number always. This again has been true as it got me a very interesting day in the US. It was day 2 of the business conference today. I don’t know how, but people become organized on time once they are in America!
I got up at 6.30 am and was ready for breakfast at 8.00 am, but I didn’t feel like having it as I had a heavy dinner last night. I had to wait for others to finish their breakfast. Today we took the Mazda 6 which Anand had rented out. The conference went uninterrupted and we were treated to a good lunch which had a beautifully decorated Veg burger awaiting my orders to enter my belly. We packed off from the training at around 4.30 am as we had decided to spend the whole evening at the OAK TREE ROAD.
Oak Tree Road – A different road, not matching its name! Its around 30 miles from our hotel and we reached there around 7.00 PM. It was great! We didn’t reach the main road yesterday, but today we went there.
It was INDIA – Jai Hind!
No car followed traffic rules
No one heeded the traffic signal to walk across the road – didn’t use the pedestrian crossing at all.
All the garbage was around the dust bins – not inside them!
Welcome to India! My friend, Naveen almost fainted seeing this.
He said “ I didn’t come all the way to America for this!!! I’m going back to the hotel.”
We somehow persuaded him to stay on. For a mile, the whole road was full of only Indian shops – Saree house, Bombay Chudidar centre, Mahatma Gandhi Plaza (which is a huge mall with only Indian shops), Bhavani Department Store, Patel’s jewelery, etc.
So many restaurants! Punjabi Khana, Chettinad, South Indian, Bombay Style….
We went to “Bombay Chowpatty” and decided to have chat – Cutlets, Samosa Chat, Dahi Batata Puri, Ragda Batis formed the order. It was fantastic and we enjoyed it.
We then proceeded to “Shalimar Khana”. I ordered Mutter Panner, Masala Kulcha and Stuffed Nan. The food was again very tasty and I was almost full. But what would end a good Indian meal without a desert. There was the store “Dimple Cool House” – Bombay Kulfi specialists. I had a Pista Kulfi and there ended our food carnage!
It was almost 10.30 PM and I took a video of the complete street. Want to show to you guyz there and tell me the differences (only thing I found out was, the cars were different!!)
That drove back to the Hotel and it was almost around 12.30 AM by the time I slept.
Watch out for Day 5 – “Philadelphia Park – Budding Las Vegas Junior of the East!
Oak Tree Road – The Indian USA
Day 4 – Four has been my lucky number always. This again has been true as it got me a very interesting day in the US. It was day 2 of the business conference today. I don’t know how, but people become organized on time once they are in America!
I got up at 6.30 am and was ready for breakfast at 8.00 am, but I didn’t feel like having it as I had a heavy dinner last night. I had to wait for others to finish their breakfast. Today we took the Mazda 6 which Anand had rented out. The conference went uninterrupted and we were treated to a good lunch which had a beautifully decorated Veg burger awaiting my orders to enter my belly. We packed off from the training at around 4.30 am as we had decided to spend the whole evening at the OAK TREE ROAD.
Oak Tree Road – A different road, not matching its name! Its around 30 miles from our hotel and we reached there around 7.00 PM. It was great! We didn’t reach the main road yesterday, but today we went there.
It was INDIA – Jai Hind!
No car followed traffic rules
No one heeded the traffic signal to walk across the road – didn’t use the pedestrian crossing at all.
All the garbage was around the dust bins – not inside them!
Welcome to India! My friend, Naveen almost fainted seeing this.
He said “ I didn’t come all the way to America for this!!! I’m going back to the hotel.”
We somehow persuaded him to stay on. For a mile, the whole road was full of only Indian shops – Saree house, Bombay Chudidar centre, Mahatma Gandhi Plaza (which is a huge mall with only Indian shops), Bhavani Department Store, Patel’s jewelery, etc.
So many restaurants! Punjabi Khana, Chettinad, South Indian, Bombay Style….
We went to “Bombay Chowpatty” and decided to have chat – Cutlets, Samosa Chat, Dahi Batata Puri, Ragda Batis formed the order. It was fantastic and we enjoyed it.
We then proceeded to “Shalimar Khana”. I ordered Mutter Panner, Masala Kulcha and Stuffed Nan. The food was again very tasty and I was almost full. But what would end a good Indian meal without a desert. There was the store “Dimple Cool House” – Bombay Kulfi specialists. I had a Pista Kulfi and there ended our food carnage!
It was almost 10.30 PM and I took a video of the complete street. Want to show to you guyz there and tell me the differences (only thing I found out was, the cars were different!!)
That drove back to the Hotel and it was almost around 12.30 AM by the time I slept.
Watch out for Day 5 – “Philadelphia Park – Budding Las Vegas Junior of the East!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Day 3 - Aswin enters the Franklin Corner Road and Oak Tree Road
Day 3
Aswin enters Franklin Corner Road and the Oak Tree Road!
It was a nice and bright sunny day. I got up at around 6.30 AM and was ready for breakfast at 8.00 AM. We decided to have the breakfast at the hotel itself. They were serving a buffet breakfast for 15 USD. I took some Orange juice, kellogs raisin flakes with milk, French fries and some other things which I dunno the names! But it was good and today we decided to use the big (SUV) which Nishant had rented out to go to our business visit. We were going to a company called Voxware in FRANKLIN CORNER ROAD! Feel like kicking me? Yes, too bad a suspense! All others were well dressed in formals / business casuals. I was the only one in T-Banian and Cargos. It suited me as my formals were tight! We reached our destination in around 20 mins.
Voxware was a small office. They had rented a part of a very tiny building. But we had a warm welcome and the rest of the day “censored” (Company Confidential). We had Pizza for lunch and it was so huge that, even 4 of us couldn’t finish it off. We were out of Voxware by 5 PM and came back to Hotel. Me and Anand decided to have an Indian dinner – south Indian to be precise. Nishant was saying about a road in New Jersey which was full of Indian restaurants and shops.
Yes, you guessed it right! It is the OAK TREE Road! We searched for some good south Indian restaurants online and all reviews pointed “Swagath Cuisine” as a good one. We started at around 7 PM from the hotel and it was around 25 miles far. We reached the place in around half hour. You get a feel of India there. There were many Indian hotels. Dakshin Express, Sukhadias, Dhaba House, to name a few. We found the swagath cuisine without much effort.
Swagath Cuisine – Nice, clean and small restaurant. We could find out easily that it was a kannada hotel from a glimpse of the menu. I ordered a Mysore Paper Masala Dosa and Hot Puri Bhaji.
To say it was good, except the chutney which was made of dry coconuts. Cooking experts like me would understand that! Puris were awesome and 3 large ones were served with Masala, Chole and Dhal.
After that Indiana meal, with a happy smile back on my face (very hard to survive on Sandwiches and burgers!) we retreated. It was fun back way. We saw some big time bike races on the US 1 freeway (highways are called freeways here) Very big bikes – 800 -1000cc ones. Some of them were driving at around 80-100 miles / hour and were literally racing. A feeling of panic and excitement gushed through my mind. But the whole incident lasted for a minute and back to normality. We reached back hotel by 11 PM and were too tired to even check my emails.
Yesterday, I got a calling card of Reliance to call India. For 5 USD, you can talk upto 65-70 mins (7.9 cents / minute) Called up home and had a disappointed that could not speak to Dad and Mom first time. Called them again and Dad picked the call. Spoke to him a lot about the US adventures, but couldn’t get Mom as she was busy with her tuitions.
Felt happy after the call, was able to get a strong sense of happiness from my Dad’s talk. Eagerly waiting to call my Mom tomorrow. Hope she’s not again caught in her tuitions today.
Lets see what’s in Store for me tomorrow!
Watch out for Day 4 - “Oak Tree Road – The Indian USA”
Aswin enters Franklin Corner Road and the Oak Tree Road!
It was a nice and bright sunny day. I got up at around 6.30 AM and was ready for breakfast at 8.00 AM. We decided to have the breakfast at the hotel itself. They were serving a buffet breakfast for 15 USD. I took some Orange juice, kellogs raisin flakes with milk, French fries and some other things which I dunno the names! But it was good and today we decided to use the big (SUV) which Nishant had rented out to go to our business visit. We were going to a company called Voxware in FRANKLIN CORNER ROAD! Feel like kicking me? Yes, too bad a suspense! All others were well dressed in formals / business casuals. I was the only one in T-Banian and Cargos. It suited me as my formals were tight! We reached our destination in around 20 mins.
Voxware was a small office. They had rented a part of a very tiny building. But we had a warm welcome and the rest of the day “censored” (Company Confidential). We had Pizza for lunch and it was so huge that, even 4 of us couldn’t finish it off. We were out of Voxware by 5 PM and came back to Hotel. Me and Anand decided to have an Indian dinner – south Indian to be precise. Nishant was saying about a road in New Jersey which was full of Indian restaurants and shops.
Yes, you guessed it right! It is the OAK TREE Road! We searched for some good south Indian restaurants online and all reviews pointed “Swagath Cuisine” as a good one. We started at around 7 PM from the hotel and it was around 25 miles far. We reached the place in around half hour. You get a feel of India there. There were many Indian hotels. Dakshin Express, Sukhadias, Dhaba House, to name a few. We found the swagath cuisine without much effort.
Swagath Cuisine – Nice, clean and small restaurant. We could find out easily that it was a kannada hotel from a glimpse of the menu. I ordered a Mysore Paper Masala Dosa and Hot Puri Bhaji.
To say it was good, except the chutney which was made of dry coconuts. Cooking experts like me would understand that! Puris were awesome and 3 large ones were served with Masala, Chole and Dhal.
After that Indiana meal, with a happy smile back on my face (very hard to survive on Sandwiches and burgers!) we retreated. It was fun back way. We saw some big time bike races on the US 1 freeway (highways are called freeways here) Very big bikes – 800 -1000cc ones. Some of them were driving at around 80-100 miles / hour and were literally racing. A feeling of panic and excitement gushed through my mind. But the whole incident lasted for a minute and back to normality. We reached back hotel by 11 PM and were too tired to even check my emails.
Yesterday, I got a calling card of Reliance to call India. For 5 USD, you can talk upto 65-70 mins (7.9 cents / minute) Called up home and had a disappointed that could not speak to Dad and Mom first time. Called them again and Dad picked the call. Spoke to him a lot about the US adventures, but couldn’t get Mom as she was busy with her tuitions.
Felt happy after the call, was able to get a strong sense of happiness from my Dad’s talk. Eagerly waiting to call my Mom tomorrow. Hope she’s not again caught in her tuitions today.
Lets see what’s in Store for me tomorrow!
Watch out for Day 4 - “Oak Tree Road – The Indian USA”
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Day 2 - The International House of Pancakes and Quaker Mall!
Day 2
The International House of Pancakes and Quaker Mall!
The night was interesting. I woke up and thought that I had slept more than usual, but to my amazement, it was only 2 AM. Bah! This was not to stop there. I slept again and again but the time didn’t move. Ok I thought. “This is going to be an eventful day”
My colleague Anand called me @ 7.30 AM and told me lets go to IHOP for breakfast. I agreed without knowing what it was. It was a gloomy day with rains and mist all over. But I was different. Wearing a Hanes T-Shirt and a ¾ trousers, I got ready after a nice bath. (which I’m not generally interested in India!) We got out of the hotel at 8.30 AM and we drove about 10 miles. “International House of Pancakes” – A shiny blue board with white letters. We went in and I was slightly nervy about what I’ll get there. Anand was confident as he loves this place. A big fat lady walked in with menu cards for us. I started searching for a suitable Veg offload. I didn’t expect it to be so easy with the kind of reviews I got from India. It had a lot of pancake varieties – Buttermilk Pancakes, fruit berries, choco chip…etc.
I chose a “Harvest n Grain Pancake – with wild Strawberry and Whipped Cream dressing”. Anand chose pumpkin pancakes and cheese omlette. After a few minutes, the order came. So huge were the pancakes and were 5 of them! It tasted like half – dosa and half roti. I started to devour them as I was extremely hungry. But I was not able to eat more than three! It was very tasty with the blueberry and raspberry syrup. It cost me around 7 USD but Anand offered to pay this time. I was ok with this and we returned back to hotel.
I got the charger pin from him and worked for around 2 hours. Also, I got time to read the Harry Potter. I badly wanted a pin so that I can use my laptop independenly and we decided to go out for Shopping at 4.00 PM to the Quaker Mall.
But Anand’s rented car was having a passenger door which doesn’t get locked. So we checked out @ 3.30 PM and found a nearby Hertz office (it’s a huge rent-a-car chain across US) at Laurenceville. We exchanged our Toyota Camry for a Mazda 6. The cars are good in the US as they are without gears (perfect for me!) We then drove towards the Quaker mall.
It was big! In the sense, the malls in US are more spacious, huge stores. One floor in forum will be small compared to a mall store in US. But there height is less than 3 floors. The parking area is huge and bigger the mall centre. We entered through the MACY’s (a big chain of stores in US) and strolled through almost all the stores like – Verizon, Bostonian, Dockers, JCPenney, Sears. We then went to Radio Shack to get a charger pin for me. It cost me 10 USD. “What the hell” I thought! But I had to buy it. All malls in US have a separate space for food and restaurants. I found Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins and many other country cuisines. Anand wanted to have a coffee. So we went to the Dunkin Donuts to get one. Amazing were there ice-cream varieties! From cho chip ice creams to mint to raspberry to many others which I cant dream about in India. I was tempted to have one. I ordered a coconut ice-cream wafer with Almonds, Choco Nuts, Raisins and Walnuts with a raspberry fruit syrup. I say – it was fantastic! Then we went around the mall for another 2 hours, took some good shots and it was 8.30 PM.
We had already decided to find an Indian Restaurant for dinner. We searched our CAR GPS and found two. “Masala Grill” and “Sadya Chandy’s” (mallu’s will love this name!)
We decided to try Masala Grill which was 5 miles away. It was inside Princeton University!
Princeton University – one of the Top 15 in the US! The restaurant was located inside the university. The sun was just going to set. Long days – 6.00AM to 9.00 PM. I was seeing an US university for the first time. So huge the campus is – bigger than my home town. Anand was saying the Harward and Cambridge will be much much bigger. I would be visiting them next week and I’ll be in Boston. Inside the university, you have so many shops, cuisines from almost any country, banks and housing localites. All the houses and buildings had a European touch. You think somewhere you would have seen them - Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad! We entered a Nassau street and parked our car. Started our search for MASALA GRILL!
There we found a tiny small room within a small building with Indian attendants. Surprised to see many Americans eat there! I went ahead and grabbed a table for ourselves.
Then Anand came and told me. “Typically in US, you don’t go ahead and grab a table. You wait for the hotel attendant to call you and offer you one.” Another good advice / custom from him. “God! Will this ignorance ever end?” I wondered.
We ordered Mixed Vegetable Pakoras, 2 Rotis and Navaratan Korma. The food was good and cost us 13 USD each. My first Indian Cuisine experience outside India! Good spicy drenching for my otherwise starving tongue.
Time was 10.30 PM and the sun was sleeping. We returned back to our hotel after another eventful day. Tomorrow morning, I should be up early as my business training starts tomorrow.
Watch out for Day 3 – “Aswin enters the Franklin Corner Road and the Oak Tree Road”
The International House of Pancakes and Quaker Mall!
The night was interesting. I woke up and thought that I had slept more than usual, but to my amazement, it was only 2 AM. Bah! This was not to stop there. I slept again and again but the time didn’t move. Ok I thought. “This is going to be an eventful day”
My colleague Anand called me @ 7.30 AM and told me lets go to IHOP for breakfast. I agreed without knowing what it was. It was a gloomy day with rains and mist all over. But I was different. Wearing a Hanes T-Shirt and a ¾ trousers, I got ready after a nice bath. (which I’m not generally interested in India!) We got out of the hotel at 8.30 AM and we drove about 10 miles. “International House of Pancakes” – A shiny blue board with white letters. We went in and I was slightly nervy about what I’ll get there. Anand was confident as he loves this place. A big fat lady walked in with menu cards for us. I started searching for a suitable Veg offload. I didn’t expect it to be so easy with the kind of reviews I got from India. It had a lot of pancake varieties – Buttermilk Pancakes, fruit berries, choco chip…etc.
I chose a “Harvest n Grain Pancake – with wild Strawberry and Whipped Cream dressing”. Anand chose pumpkin pancakes and cheese omlette. After a few minutes, the order came. So huge were the pancakes and were 5 of them! It tasted like half – dosa and half roti. I started to devour them as I was extremely hungry. But I was not able to eat more than three! It was very tasty with the blueberry and raspberry syrup. It cost me around 7 USD but Anand offered to pay this time. I was ok with this and we returned back to hotel.
I got the charger pin from him and worked for around 2 hours. Also, I got time to read the Harry Potter. I badly wanted a pin so that I can use my laptop independenly and we decided to go out for Shopping at 4.00 PM to the Quaker Mall.
But Anand’s rented car was having a passenger door which doesn’t get locked. So we checked out @ 3.30 PM and found a nearby Hertz office (it’s a huge rent-a-car chain across US) at Laurenceville. We exchanged our Toyota Camry for a Mazda 6. The cars are good in the US as they are without gears (perfect for me!) We then drove towards the Quaker mall.
It was big! In the sense, the malls in US are more spacious, huge stores. One floor in forum will be small compared to a mall store in US. But there height is less than 3 floors. The parking area is huge and bigger the mall centre. We entered through the MACY’s (a big chain of stores in US) and strolled through almost all the stores like – Verizon, Bostonian, Dockers, JCPenney, Sears. We then went to Radio Shack to get a charger pin for me. It cost me 10 USD. “What the hell” I thought! But I had to buy it. All malls in US have a separate space for food and restaurants. I found Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins and many other country cuisines. Anand wanted to have a coffee. So we went to the Dunkin Donuts to get one. Amazing were there ice-cream varieties! From cho chip ice creams to mint to raspberry to many others which I cant dream about in India. I was tempted to have one. I ordered a coconut ice-cream wafer with Almonds, Choco Nuts, Raisins and Walnuts with a raspberry fruit syrup. I say – it was fantastic! Then we went around the mall for another 2 hours, took some good shots and it was 8.30 PM.
We had already decided to find an Indian Restaurant for dinner. We searched our CAR GPS and found two. “Masala Grill” and “Sadya Chandy’s” (mallu’s will love this name!)
We decided to try Masala Grill which was 5 miles away. It was inside Princeton University!
Princeton University – one of the Top 15 in the US! The restaurant was located inside the university. The sun was just going to set. Long days – 6.00AM to 9.00 PM. I was seeing an US university for the first time. So huge the campus is – bigger than my home town. Anand was saying the Harward and Cambridge will be much much bigger. I would be visiting them next week and I’ll be in Boston. Inside the university, you have so many shops, cuisines from almost any country, banks and housing localites. All the houses and buildings had a European touch. You think somewhere you would have seen them - Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad! We entered a Nassau street and parked our car. Started our search for MASALA GRILL!
There we found a tiny small room within a small building with Indian attendants. Surprised to see many Americans eat there! I went ahead and grabbed a table for ourselves.
Then Anand came and told me. “Typically in US, you don’t go ahead and grab a table. You wait for the hotel attendant to call you and offer you one.” Another good advice / custom from him. “God! Will this ignorance ever end?” I wondered.
We ordered Mixed Vegetable Pakoras, 2 Rotis and Navaratan Korma. The food was good and cost us 13 USD each. My first Indian Cuisine experience outside India! Good spicy drenching for my otherwise starving tongue.
Time was 10.30 PM and the sun was sleeping. We returned back to our hotel after another eventful day. Tomorrow morning, I should be up early as my business training starts tomorrow.
Watch out for Day 3 – “Aswin enters the Franklin Corner Road and the Oak Tree Road”
Monday, July 23, 2007
Aswin in America - Day 1
Day 1
The Flight, The Fright and The Fries!
Hello. Welcome to the first of the 15 intriguing letters which gives a comical view of “Aswin in America”
As I proceeded towards the immigration check in the Bangalore International Airport – the drama unfolds here.
The immigration officer, a middle aged fellow, dark complexioned and looked like a tamilian to me, checked my passport and asked me to go and meet the Duty manager.
“Why only me?” I asked.
He said “you are traveling for the first time, so you need to”
Ok, then I moved towards the manager’s cabin and where the manager (with coat, suite and boot!) started asking me a hazaar questions about my travel. After answering him rather impatiently, he scribbled some number on my departure card, which I had to show it to the officer. The wait ended and I moved on towards the security check. After standing in the queue for nearly 45 mins, I got to know that you need to meet the Indian customs to declare any electronic goods if you are carrying it to the US!
Shiv, the holy brat! When he gave me his camera, but he didn’t tell me this! I back tracked and met the customs officer. I asked him the rules and many other questions, then I stopped as I could see him get frustrated. Finally he asked me to declare the camera which I’m carrying so that when I come back it would not charged import duty. You are allowed only goods worth INR 25000 free!
After a successful security check, I went to the waiting lounge where I met another colleague who was traveling my Lufthansa. Oh! Sorry! Forgot to mention that. I’ll be traveling by Air France (traveler views – one of the worst airlines! I puked in the aircraft! Food sucks!). I remembered my company – this was cheaper by INR 25000. Half minded and tentative, I waited for my turn to get into the aircraft.
“All elite, elite plus, sky team members, business class passengers, please board the aircraft first.” I was amongst the last to board the aircraft.
I was happy that I got a aisle seat, as it will be easy for me to get the food and have better access to the restrooms
(Hey Aswin, is that the exact reason for getting an aisle seat? – remains the million dollar question!)
I got into the aircraft, but got a nice surprise. Half the host crew was Male and the rest were old, really old, especially the one who was in charge for our seats. I want to meet the guy who gave the aisle seat!
But I was happy that we were provided with personalized video/audio system as it is available in KingFisher Airlines (I didn’t expect that) and to add more, watched the movie “Dhoom 2” there. What more do you want? I had now got a chance to see the movie. Who knows, maybe god wanted me to watch that here.
We were provided a light snack (at morning 3.00 AM IST) which consists of Paneer Spinach sandwich, a Veg Roll and Yogurt. The cuisine also included finest of wines, juices, and other alcoholic beverages (I could not even spell them, let alone drink!) For the second time in my life, I drank Red Wine and it was good. After the movie, I slept and was awake right for the breakfast. Food was good with two Potato Bondas, 2 pieces of Methi Paratha, Channa Paneer, Cereals, Milk and Yogurt. After the sumptuous meal, we were on time to land at the Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris.
My first step into another country – “Welcome to France, Monsieur” greeted one Air France staff. I had 5 hours in the Paris, before my next flight to Philadelphia. We were transferred to terminal 2E on a bus from where I had all the time to roam around the airport. I don’t know how and where. Also, was not sure whether I’m allowed a few clicks in the Airport. Its always good to have a person accompanying you there. Yes, I met a fellow who took my same flight to Paris and has the connection flight to Chicago at the same time. He’s an Accenture employee and knows my company too! Goodness me, I didn’t expect that. We spoke about our companies for 15 minutes after which he asked me whether I’m interested in discovering the airport. I was waiting for this and there we started. We went to the first floor and saw a train there. He told me, the train takes you to other terminals. It was so fascinating to see the train, it was like the roller coaster rides in Indian water theme parks. We changed 3 trains and went to Terminal 2A, 2B, 2C. We roamed a lot, took some great shots of the airport and then it was time. We went back to our terminal and completed the immigration check. We were even asked to remove our belts here, as part of the check!
We reached inside the terminal and saw a long row of duty free shops. From food to cosmetics to beverages to tobacco, everything was worth seeing, but not buying!
I wanted to go to the restroom before boarding the plane. After a good bye to my Paris friend, I searched for the “toilettes” and found one. There was a queue there and waited for turn. I went in, but aghast, was not able open the door again! I tried everything, hitting, pushing, everything, moving the door walts, literally everything. Horrible 20 mins!!! I thought my trip ended in Paris. Then I calmed down, and pulled it. Idiot! You tried everything including Pushing, but not PULLING!!! Phew! I came out and ran towards the boarding area. I was on time and we were taken by a bus to the plane.
The Delta Airlines flight, was good and again had the personalized video/audio systems.
I was happy, but there was no hindi movie this time! So I thought this was the best time to pull out – “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – the last book of the harry potter series which was released the before day! I read the book for around 2-3 hours during the time I was served some snacks and lunch. It was ok this time, but for the vegetable korma! I was able to find the difference – Indian cuisine, Made in Paris!
Again, my disappointment continued for the cabin crew, but atleast I was happy that I got the window seat. The atlantic ocean was fantastic and almost for the complete flight we were flying over it. We passed over UK, Ireland, Spain, West Indies and then reached the US east coast. There was a moving map video which showed everything. The US coast was beautiful with beaches and high rise buildings. I flied over Boston (where I’ll be going next week) and then reached Philadelphia. I reached there 4.20 PM (EST) and proceeded towards the immigration check. After which I waited for another 30 minutes, bated breadth for my baggage. So many people had told me that baggage delay was frequent, but I didn’t want it on my trip! Finally it came, through the moving tunnel and I was happy. I moved towards the US customs where I had to fill up the declaration of my belongings and then I was out!
The USA comedy starts here. I enquired at the information centre about Prepaid TAXI.
A black lady, she was surprised and asked “What do you mean by Prepaid?”
Then I explained “Do I need to pay the money for the taxi upfront or after reaching the destination.?” Finally she understood and I went out thinking “What more awaits me in the USA?”
There was a long row of taxi and a cop controlling it. Came my turn and I got a taxi driven by a black, slightly middle aged and looked like a true West Indian!
I showed him my address and he typed the same in a monitor. It was the GPS! I liked it very much. They use it to locate the address and it shows the complete way with the moving map which shows our car too.
I asked him “Can I locate the address?
“Yes” Came the reply. I went to the front seat and started to search “New Jersey, Princeton, Independence Way, 100” You need to provide the options of State, City, Street and the Door no. The amazing part was it automatically completes the place names and street once we start entering the same.
I was off. The 60 mile drive was superb. Weather was at 80-85 F (that’s what the local weather report, I don’t know to convert to Celsius!) We were driving through the city for 10 miles before reaching the country. It was a left hand drive and “Keep Right”. The roads were excellent, but once we entered the country range, I was able to see the gutters and manholes. I took some nice shots on the way and we passed through Trenton and finally reached Holiday Inn, where I will be put for a week. The trip cost me 135 USD – first time in my life I pay in foreigh currency. A feeling of greatness, nevertheless I moved on.
It was a nice hotel, but no attendants at all! Then I came to know that, you need to move you own luggage to the room. I went to the front desk and got the my confirmed for which I paid an advance of 400 USD. It was 446 – the room number on the fourth floor.
I asked for the key and the she (the lady at the front desk) gave me a card. It was swipe room where we need to swipe the card to enter the room. Finally I reached my room, but had a tough time opening the room. I won over the door and entered. A decent room with a big 34’’ TV, a table, phones, coffee vending machine and iron boards to accompany me.
Then, I called the room service.
“Hello, I’m from Room 446. Can you get me some water please? I just checked in.”
“Sure, Sir. You’ll be charged 15 USD for the same. But if you don’t want that, please go to the vending machines and take it yourself” – came the reply.
What is this? You don’t even get free water to your room! I went to the vending machine and there it said 1.5 USD for a bottle for drink (Aquafina / Pepsi / Fanta etc) I called the front desk and asked. In USA, you need to pay for water!
Also, I didn’t have the exact change with for the machine. What to do? No luck for some change at the front desk. So the whole night I was without water. Horrible first evening!
I came to the room, continued with my Harry Potter, caught up with my mails.
I was not feeling hungry, but there was thirst! So I made some coffee for myself.
You get coffee / tea for FREE but not WATER!!! Whack! You will get fried here.
I took some photos of the hotel and the room and returned to my bed.
A mixed day at the USA! Lets us what’s I store in for me the next day.
Watch out for “Day 2 – “International House of Pancakes (IHOP) and Quaker Mall”
The Flight, The Fright and The Fries!
Hello. Welcome to the first of the 15 intriguing letters which gives a comical view of “Aswin in America”
As I proceeded towards the immigration check in the Bangalore International Airport – the drama unfolds here.
The immigration officer, a middle aged fellow, dark complexioned and looked like a tamilian to me, checked my passport and asked me to go and meet the Duty manager.
“Why only me?” I asked.
He said “you are traveling for the first time, so you need to”
Ok, then I moved towards the manager’s cabin and where the manager (with coat, suite and boot!) started asking me a hazaar questions about my travel. After answering him rather impatiently, he scribbled some number on my departure card, which I had to show it to the officer. The wait ended and I moved on towards the security check. After standing in the queue for nearly 45 mins, I got to know that you need to meet the Indian customs to declare any electronic goods if you are carrying it to the US!
Shiv, the holy brat! When he gave me his camera, but he didn’t tell me this! I back tracked and met the customs officer. I asked him the rules and many other questions, then I stopped as I could see him get frustrated. Finally he asked me to declare the camera which I’m carrying so that when I come back it would not charged import duty. You are allowed only goods worth INR 25000 free!
After a successful security check, I went to the waiting lounge where I met another colleague who was traveling my Lufthansa. Oh! Sorry! Forgot to mention that. I’ll be traveling by Air France (traveler views – one of the worst airlines! I puked in the aircraft! Food sucks!). I remembered my company – this was cheaper by INR 25000. Half minded and tentative, I waited for my turn to get into the aircraft.
“All elite, elite plus, sky team members, business class passengers, please board the aircraft first.” I was amongst the last to board the aircraft.
I was happy that I got a aisle seat, as it will be easy for me to get the food and have better access to the restrooms
(Hey Aswin, is that the exact reason for getting an aisle seat? – remains the million dollar question!)
I got into the aircraft, but got a nice surprise. Half the host crew was Male and the rest were old, really old, especially the one who was in charge for our seats. I want to meet the guy who gave the aisle seat!
But I was happy that we were provided with personalized video/audio system as it is available in KingFisher Airlines (I didn’t expect that) and to add more, watched the movie “Dhoom 2” there. What more do you want? I had now got a chance to see the movie. Who knows, maybe god wanted me to watch that here.
We were provided a light snack (at morning 3.00 AM IST) which consists of Paneer Spinach sandwich, a Veg Roll and Yogurt. The cuisine also included finest of wines, juices, and other alcoholic beverages (I could not even spell them, let alone drink!) For the second time in my life, I drank Red Wine and it was good. After the movie, I slept and was awake right for the breakfast. Food was good with two Potato Bondas, 2 pieces of Methi Paratha, Channa Paneer, Cereals, Milk and Yogurt. After the sumptuous meal, we were on time to land at the Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris.
My first step into another country – “Welcome to France, Monsieur” greeted one Air France staff. I had 5 hours in the Paris, before my next flight to Philadelphia. We were transferred to terminal 2E on a bus from where I had all the time to roam around the airport. I don’t know how and where. Also, was not sure whether I’m allowed a few clicks in the Airport. Its always good to have a person accompanying you there. Yes, I met a fellow who took my same flight to Paris and has the connection flight to Chicago at the same time. He’s an Accenture employee and knows my company too! Goodness me, I didn’t expect that. We spoke about our companies for 15 minutes after which he asked me whether I’m interested in discovering the airport. I was waiting for this and there we started. We went to the first floor and saw a train there. He told me, the train takes you to other terminals. It was so fascinating to see the train, it was like the roller coaster rides in Indian water theme parks. We changed 3 trains and went to Terminal 2A, 2B, 2C. We roamed a lot, took some great shots of the airport and then it was time. We went back to our terminal and completed the immigration check. We were even asked to remove our belts here, as part of the check!
We reached inside the terminal and saw a long row of duty free shops. From food to cosmetics to beverages to tobacco, everything was worth seeing, but not buying!
I wanted to go to the restroom before boarding the plane. After a good bye to my Paris friend, I searched for the “toilettes” and found one. There was a queue there and waited for turn. I went in, but aghast, was not able open the door again! I tried everything, hitting, pushing, everything, moving the door walts, literally everything. Horrible 20 mins!!! I thought my trip ended in Paris. Then I calmed down, and pulled it. Idiot! You tried everything including Pushing, but not PULLING!!! Phew! I came out and ran towards the boarding area. I was on time and we were taken by a bus to the plane.
The Delta Airlines flight, was good and again had the personalized video/audio systems.
I was happy, but there was no hindi movie this time! So I thought this was the best time to pull out – “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – the last book of the harry potter series which was released the before day! I read the book for around 2-3 hours during the time I was served some snacks and lunch. It was ok this time, but for the vegetable korma! I was able to find the difference – Indian cuisine, Made in Paris!
Again, my disappointment continued for the cabin crew, but atleast I was happy that I got the window seat. The atlantic ocean was fantastic and almost for the complete flight we were flying over it. We passed over UK, Ireland, Spain, West Indies and then reached the US east coast. There was a moving map video which showed everything. The US coast was beautiful with beaches and high rise buildings. I flied over Boston (where I’ll be going next week) and then reached Philadelphia. I reached there 4.20 PM (EST) and proceeded towards the immigration check. After which I waited for another 30 minutes, bated breadth for my baggage. So many people had told me that baggage delay was frequent, but I didn’t want it on my trip! Finally it came, through the moving tunnel and I was happy. I moved towards the US customs where I had to fill up the declaration of my belongings and then I was out!
The USA comedy starts here. I enquired at the information centre about Prepaid TAXI.
A black lady, she was surprised and asked “What do you mean by Prepaid?”
Then I explained “Do I need to pay the money for the taxi upfront or after reaching the destination.?” Finally she understood and I went out thinking “What more awaits me in the USA?”
There was a long row of taxi and a cop controlling it. Came my turn and I got a taxi driven by a black, slightly middle aged and looked like a true West Indian!
I showed him my address and he typed the same in a monitor. It was the GPS! I liked it very much. They use it to locate the address and it shows the complete way with the moving map which shows our car too.
I asked him “Can I locate the address?
“Yes” Came the reply. I went to the front seat and started to search “New Jersey, Princeton, Independence Way, 100” You need to provide the options of State, City, Street and the Door no. The amazing part was it automatically completes the place names and street once we start entering the same.
I was off. The 60 mile drive was superb. Weather was at 80-85 F (that’s what the local weather report, I don’t know to convert to Celsius!) We were driving through the city for 10 miles before reaching the country. It was a left hand drive and “Keep Right”. The roads were excellent, but once we entered the country range, I was able to see the gutters and manholes. I took some nice shots on the way and we passed through Trenton and finally reached Holiday Inn, where I will be put for a week. The trip cost me 135 USD – first time in my life I pay in foreigh currency. A feeling of greatness, nevertheless I moved on.
It was a nice hotel, but no attendants at all! Then I came to know that, you need to move you own luggage to the room. I went to the front desk and got the my confirmed for which I paid an advance of 400 USD. It was 446 – the room number on the fourth floor.
I asked for the key and the she (the lady at the front desk) gave me a card. It was swipe room where we need to swipe the card to enter the room. Finally I reached my room, but had a tough time opening the room. I won over the door and entered. A decent room with a big 34’’ TV, a table, phones, coffee vending machine and iron boards to accompany me.
Then, I called the room service.
“Hello, I’m from Room 446. Can you get me some water please? I just checked in.”
“Sure, Sir. You’ll be charged 15 USD for the same. But if you don’t want that, please go to the vending machines and take it yourself” – came the reply.
What is this? You don’t even get free water to your room! I went to the vending machine and there it said 1.5 USD for a bottle for drink (Aquafina / Pepsi / Fanta etc) I called the front desk and asked. In USA, you need to pay for water!
Also, I didn’t have the exact change with for the machine. What to do? No luck for some change at the front desk. So the whole night I was without water. Horrible first evening!
I came to the room, continued with my Harry Potter, caught up with my mails.
I was not feeling hungry, but there was thirst! So I made some coffee for myself.
You get coffee / tea for FREE but not WATER!!! Whack! You will get fried here.
I took some photos of the hotel and the room and returned to my bed.
A mixed day at the USA! Lets us what’s I store in for me the next day.
Watch out for “Day 2 – “International House of Pancakes (IHOP) and Quaker Mall”
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