09/10/10:
My first day in the US. Reached LA airport by about 2pm. I was really surprised to see smiling and welcoming faces wherever I looked for help. The officer at the immigration counter - "Oh, you work for Yahoo.. nice job eh?" which reminded me the face of his counterpart at Bengaluru airport who stared at me as if I am an alien and said, "Your face does not match the photograph" (How the hell can someone look the same as in a in a ten years old passport photograph). The lady at the front desk of American Eagle (my local flight to Sandiego), the security officer - everyone looked at me with a friendly face when I approached and helped me with everything and I often felt home. Then, my flight to Sandiego - you won't believe this - was in the oldest aircraft that I had ever travelled in. That was a propeller model, had just 1+2 seats in a row and less than 20 rows and the cabin roof was just 6 feet high. I should admit that it was the best flying experience I ever had. One would really feel the thrust when the flight takes off and experience the pressure differences. Just about 45 minutest of flight from LA to Sandieog but that was eventful. I could see the tension on the face of the French girl who was my co-seater. She was holding the armrest and front seat firmly as if she was going to fall down when the aircraft met an air pocket on the way. It was amazing when it took a turn over the Sandiego beach and resembled a roller cost. The landing was not that easy as in the modern flights. It appeared as if the aircraft was losing the touchdown point and the captain was struggling to make it touch the ground steadily. Well, finally when the flight was over I heard a sigh of relief from my French friend. Outside the airport there was this black guy with a much fairer heart. He explained me the difference between a Shuttle and Taxi and recommended me a shuttle as it is cheaper. The shuttle driver, Michael a.k.a Mike, a large white man, asked me if I am going to make the payment by card or cash. When I said "cash" he replied "Cash..? Cool.. I love cash". And continued "Tips are always welcome.. I do the best service for a cheap price and you reward me with tip..
09/11/10:
I woke up at 2:00 am (pst - which is 2:30 pm IST) for my lunch.. eeh. Well I got adjusted to the timezone after a short nap again after the meal. Went to the restaurant to know that the breakfast time was over, so picked up some kellogs, milk and packaged orange juice from the store at the reception. Some homework on US pronunciation and research on shops and road maps after the breakfast. Went for lunch, late again, and satisfied myself with a Turkey sandwich which I would never eat again. I checked with the receptionist about "Costco" which I found in the internet as a shop where things are comparatively cheaper. The young man said it is just 3 or 4 miles drive and offered a free drop for me. In the car, I learnt from him how to pronounce his name - Curie. I came to know from the security at Costco that it is a members-only shop and thought I would try my luck searching for another shop somewhere around by myself. I started walking along the Palomar airport road and then tried some inner roads. The roads were awesome. Every main junctions has got a manual traffic button for pedestrians. One can press the button to make the signals red and cross the road. At places where the manual button is not present all vehicles would stop as soon as they spot a pedestrian entering the road. So, all you have to do is to make sure you have gained the drivers' attention at a safe distance. They would never try to scare you as we normally do in India. The first time when I used the traffic button I was not so confident and literally ran across the pedestrian cross after pressing it. When I reached the other side I realized that there was still enough time left on the signal and all vehicles have stopped and were watching me patiently. Once when I was near the gate of a huge shop (a tire shop) and seeing a car coming out I stepped back and gave way. The lady who was driving slowed down and showed a gesture of thanks to me. The footpaths were literally empty. You wouldn't find anyone on the streets other than those sitting in the dashing cars and (really) occasional motorbikes. It was when I gave up my plan for purchase and tried to find my way back to the hotel that I realized I have lost my direction. I would have walked at least 3 or 4 miles (1 mile = 1.60 kilometers). I tried the same exercise for another 30 minutes or so but reached no where. There was no cabs or shuttles seen anywhere in the roads. I still have to sort out a cell connection and there were no phone booths found anywhere. Finally, I just headed in to the restaurant bar attached to a big hotel and asked a server girl. She just gave me some directions but suggested I'd ask the receptionist for a shuttle. I walked in to the lobby of the hotel and talked to the receptionist. The young, smart white guy named Ryan (Oh this time I was sure how to pronounce that) asked me the hotel's name and address. He then searched in the internet and took the route map. Within 2 minutes he came out and patted on my shoulder and asked "hey, you ready to go". I couldn't believe that. I just wanted some help to call a shuttle or cab and this guy to whom I am a stranger had taken a break from his work ready to drop me. I didn't know how to thank him. When reached the hotel I asked him what could I do as a return of this service. He just said with a smile that it was a free service. I just started writing this immediately after reaching my room. All these good people I met so far were the inspirations for me to write on. Now, after having a Quesadilla chicken steak and French fries along with two larges of Woodford Reserve whisky I am a little heavy on head and not in a mood to keep writing. But, I should admit this. I have just completed two days at some corner of the US (or rather 1 and half days as I landed at LA yesterday afternoon). It is not a fair enough time to judge a whole nation and people over there or to compare with our country. But, I know one thing - no one ever coming to any part of India would have so much of good experiences from everyone around continuously for two days. So, in short, the guys over here at least try to maintain the first impression. They do care how an alien would think about their country and people and welcome the guests with heart. How do we or our people treat them when they visit us. Time to think and change ourselves.
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