After all the hassle at the Indian airport, it felt good to be on the flight ready to take off. Did not expect Valentines Day to end the way it did. Was left wondering what else was in store on this trip. But I guess the adventure ended with the day and that was a good thing :)
Had a good flight but the anxiety came back when I was standing in line for getting the immigration done. All the thoughts about how things could go wrong rushed in my head but then I reminded myself of all the books that I have been reading about being positive and stuff... well that helped. It was just great to hear the 'Thap thap' of the stamps on the passport and the officer at the immigration desk say 'Welcome'. The worst was over.
While I went on my way completing the other formalities, it left me wondering how different it felt being here. Different in the way of people greeting you, smiling at you as you passed them. I was back in the land of 'Hi's and Hello's', Sorry's and Excuse Me's and the one thing I like the most...Smiles... lots of them.
People being calm and patient, no one getting irritated while waiting for their turn in the line.
I had to collect my luggage and then find my way to the AirTrain to get to terminal 8 from terminal 4 for my connecting flight to Boston. I asked my way around and then this really nice person on the train gave me tips on how to get out of the train without having my cart stuck between the platform and the train door.
I found the check-in place and after that was done went on my way to finish the security check. I was waiting in line there when I heard some one call out 'Come on over here honey'... yes people talk like this to strangers here... not all of them of course, but I have come across a lot of such people. I cannot even imagine someone being so sweet back home. Like I mentioned before people back home are just very hassled.
For breakfast had a grilled cheese sandwich. I actually smiled at myself and said - welcome to Amrika when I was trying to choose what I would eat.. No more Wada Pav or Samosa... or bhel puri or theplas and parathas served hot :) THAT is what we miss here... the food choices and the side dish that comes with all of them when at home - LOVE.
Once the security was done.. i was on my way to waiting for 4 - 6 hours to get on my flight to Boston. Luckily for me, I got on an earlier flight and so did my luggage. I reached home 2 hours ahead of time. Which was great. My friends came to pick me up at the airport, we took a cab back home and then I went over to their place for lunch stayed till dinner and then came back home at around 930... Slept like a log. Now am sitting on my side of the couch :) typing this email while sipping a cup of black coffee.
Though every other person you cross on the street greets you with a smile, they do it out of habit. Its wired in them. You like it in the beginning but then realize that its only a habit and that you have caught it too. You too smile and greet the person. You catch it on so fast that when we come back home and do the same, people wonder if we are crazy :)
But with all of this... Home is still home... even though people dont smile at you or greet you on the streets, the love that you find there is something that you will never find anywhere else in the world. Once you make a relation, people live upto it till the end. That is something that you dont find here. Here everything is just a formality. Everything happens with appointments.
Honestly, during this trip home I was actually torn between staying or leaving. I really liked my trip there, I felt connected and wanted to stay more. I was very confused as to what my future plans should be. While staying in the US has its own pros, coming back also seems a viable option.
Only time will tell what happens... for now of course am missing home and wish people were here... its super silent here, will take some time to get used to it...
Have now decided to try and stay more in touch with family. Well... have to go and get ready to go for lunch at a friends place... have to start cooking in the evening... Routine shuru :)
Here's to keeping in touch and staying connected...
