Nirvana

Jan 07 1999.

The day I landed in the USA.

Land of Opportunities.

Land of the free and home of the brave.

Six years ago.

Amazing how time flies by.

I can vividly remember the day.

Flying from Mumbai on KLM-Northwest Airlines.

Destination - Charlotte, North Carolina.

Port of Entry - Detroit.

Companions - A white and an Indian on his first visit to Memphis.

Travelling all alone, to an unknown land for the first time.

A sense of adventure and apprehensions fill me.

It was snowing in Detroit - temperatures below zero.

Had to ride a bus to the domestic terminal.

Paid a black 5 bucks to get me through the security check.

that was unnecessary - i could have managed on my own.

Reached Charlotte early hours of the morning.

Priya and Prem at the airport to receive me.

Overjoyed to see them - although I was meeting them for the first time.

Picked up Lakshmi at a local theater.

Drive to Shannon Green Dr, put up temporarily at Gokul's apt.

Gokul on the floor wearing yellow tees sleeping.

Makes me feel at ease.

Freshen up - lakshmi invites me to dinner.

Go over to priya's place - meet everyone.

call up home to let them know that I reached safely.

Lakshmi makes hot, delicious tomato rasam.

I gratefully devour it to quell my hunger.

Mumble goodnite and head to sleep over at Gokul's place.

To be continued ..

In parting, let me add a quick note. Over the years, there have been a few seniors both while in Bangalore or in Charlotte/Allentown who have looked over me and tended to me and helped me in times of need. They have touched my heart with simple gestures and I am forever indebted to them.

I feel happy when I recall those times and it makes me believe in the inherent goodness of mankind. I have lost touch with most of these treasured friends - wherever they may be, I wish them well and I hope our roads cross again someday.

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