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”