Fremont to Sac and Sac to SD.. colors of life….

I left from Fremont on the very next day. I wanted to spend more time with Rishi and Shailee Pritesh. I guess in next long weekend or something I am gonna go to Fremont for sure. We drove on I-5 and crossed some famous bridge. We were driving on the streets of Sacramento. I loved the city. We stopped by a fabulous restaurant near Davis. Now Me and Darshak asked them to make it spicey and that one of the best Punjabi food I had ever had. Really Food in Bay Area rocks.

We reached Guli’s place at 9:30 or something like that. It is such a lavish and well adorned house. Next day, Mihir came to Guli’s place. Met him after 8 months.. Really had fun.. the only good thing about US is I get to talk to friends everyday!! So I really enjoyed at Gulis place. I had not actually met Darshak before but I must say that guy is awesome. We became good friends.

I left for my final destination on Saturday. It was an eight hour drive. Yeah it was really long. We reached LA in the night and we spent night at Guli’s friend’s place. LA seemed very crowded. Guli’s friend and her hubby were nice people. We left LA in the morning. Now the drive from LA to SD was awesome. You can sense San Diego by just opening the windows. I could feel that soothing cold flowing breeze. I was in love with the city at the first sight. Roads were adorned by Pine trees. I was really spellbound by the beauty and weather of the city. We reached 4981, Catoctin Drive. I was not that impressed by my community at the first site. As I had seen Mihir’s community in Sacramento and it was way better. I reached my place and I was looking for my apartment. I saw Amit and then we moved our luggage and saw the room. I found the room kinda okay. Then me, Guli and Darshak went for grossary. They bought me almost everything. Then we went to pick Mounben up. I met her after 8 years. It was really good to meet her. We went to a place called Little India Center in San Diego. Man, there was a shop called Surati Farsan House there and food was really delicious.

more laterz.. there is lot to write.. the story is getting gloomier as it goes on.. It was all good till this moment.. but then Started to feel the real stuff of student life at US universities.

Yeah.. me back again.. Guli and Mounben dropped me at my apartment and went back.. i was kinda ok initially. I started missing home after a day or two. I was not getting the desired classes.. I had to take a pre-requisite course due to my undergrad curriculam. I was not good. Gradually I started getting settled with the things. Now it has been two weeks in San Diego and I am trying to be an SDian.

First time flying experience, Reched USA

Ok first things first.. i dont wanna write about the feeling when I entered Ahmedabad Domestic Airport and what I am gonna miss now on. I guess I can write a whole book about that..

So, Being a first time flier I was quite nervous and totally confused.. I didn’t know.. I think they should appoint some people only to help first time fliers. Anyways, As I entered the terminal I had to go to Jet Airways Counter. I went to take my boarding pass. They weighed my luggage and gave me a pass. Luggage was a bit excessive but they allowed that. Then they gave me some tags and I was totally oblivious about the use of that. I then went for security check. They checked my hand baggage and they let me in. I waited in the lounge and waited for departure call. They took me to the aircraft by bus. Aircraft was really good. I found the seats quite spacious. Still I didn’t know how to interpret some signs and I couldn’t hear properly inside the flight. I really enjoyed that thrust. We were afloat in a moment. Luckily I got a window seat so I couldn’t stop myself to see my city from Aircraft. It was lovely, truly awesome.

Breakfast on domestic flight was kinda delicious.. Upma and all.. Reached Mumbai in just 40 to 45 minutes. It was raining cats and dogs in Mumbai. I didn’t have to step out at all and I was transfered to terminal in a bus. I got my coach ticket and then waited in waiting lounge. Finally I got coach at 9:45. They made me reach there at 10:15 or something. Then they checked some immigration thing and then I had to go to gate no 16 and it was very very far. My jeans was too loose and my T-Shirt was kinda short, so I was feeling quite embarrassing while walking. I had to rush to gate 16, where they checked my passport and boarding pass. I boarded the international aircraft. First, what I saw was business class seats. I though they were mine but they were not. When I finally found 31K, it was the same routine seats with pathetic legroom. Now the boring part starts. I was goddamn tired and I was like a bit confused about everything going around me. They gave lunch, and that was tasteless. I tried to sleep after lunch but of no use. I tried to listen to some songs but again I got bored. Actually I was quite stressed out so I was not liking anything around. We reached Shanghai at 6:30 PM, Indian time. Shanghai waiting area was cool. I was observing people, I was trying to find someone to talk to, but I didn’t find any interesting looking person. I just sat back and relaxed.

We left Shanghai after an hour or so. I returned to my seat. Actually my hand luggage was damn heavy so I was pretty annoyed with that. Now I badly wanted to sleep. My fasttreak Neon Disk was showing 8:30 IST. So, I was mentally prepared for sleeping. I was watching some idiotic movies and some other programs on screen in-front of me. Finally they brought dinner. I ate some of it and I was like partially satisfied with that. Then I slept and slept like anything. I slept until the aunty besides me woke me up for breakfast. It was 6 AM IST. I was pretty fresh by then with most of my annoyance gone. It was a sound sleep. So, i opened my window cover and I saw beautiful blue sky and yes, we were hovering over America. Loved it at first sight. And they brought breakfast. It was as good as it was on domestic flight. I ate a lot. We landed at SFO half an hour late than scheduled time.

So, I stepped USA for the first time and I was thrilled about that. Now Americans left nothing for me to get confused. Everything properly marked and I could find my way to immigration officers. So, I went to the chinese looking officer. He was cool. He was pretty vivacious and quite helpful. He asked me to show my I-94 which was given to me on board. Then he asked routine questions. He asked me about the mascot of SDSU. I was taken aback but i guessed it was Aztecs and It actually was. He said I was absolutely right about that. He then wished me luck and asked me to study as hard as I could. My immigration was done and it was nothing but cakewalk. I then moved to conveyor belt. I was waiting for my luggage. All three bags reached pretty earlier then I anticipated. Another good experience. I went to custom checking. I must say officers were pretty good. There was an Indian officer standing there and he asked me where was I from. I replied and he came with “Jeeru chhe”? I didn’t understand so he again asked an I said no. I didn’t know whether I had jeera or not. He also asked me about Pickle and fresh fruits and all but I replied negatively. So after getting x-rays they said they had to open my one bag and handbag. I was scared now as I had pickle in that. But the chinese officer didn’t recognize Pickle and he found Jeera. Still he told me with the smile that he had to check that Jeera. I said OK. He came and said My Jeera was ok and I could carry that on. I was really relieved.

I moved to arrivals lobby and I was pleased to see my cousin (Pritesh) and Darshak (my bro-in-law) waiting for me. I couldn’t have received a warmer welcome. I was pretty pleased. We parked our luggage into my cousin’s car and now we were running on the streets of California. Awesome. I must say It was awesome. We drove through Silicon Valley, We drove on awesome bridges and finally we reached his home. When I came out of car I was greeted by Rishi. My cute, lil nephew. He was so cute and his precious smile removed my stress if any of it was remaining. Then Guli and Shailee (my bhabhi) were waiting for me. I was really pleased to see them and It was really great to have someone my own, so far from my home. My cousin’s home was really good. Very lavish. They offered me lotsa things to eat but as I had breakfast I just ate a bit of kheechu. Rishi was making everyone laugh. Then we all went upstairs and I just took a bath and finally moved to a room and sat on computer and wrote half of this post. Again I went to sleep, and woke up at 6 o clock. Ya, it was kinda cold in Fremont. Now, everyone else is sleeping and I am writing this..

Doodles..