My First Trans-Atlantic Trip

My first journey across the Atlantic ocean to the United States of America let me with beautiful memories. The main purpose of the trip was giving a presentation in Kansas City. Erik and I were together till we reached Kansas. On the morning of 27th we boarded the German high speed train that would take us to Frankfurt Airport. I reached the railway station just 3 minutes before the departure time and joined a tensed up Erik who was eagerly waiting for my arrival. The Conference was enjoyable with everyone eagerly giving their visiting cards to everyone! My presentation was also well received. My first impression of US is somewhat paradoxical. I never felt like nor was I ever treated like a foreigner in this land of foreigners. Thanks to the multitudes of people from across the world that constitute the vitals of America, I felt pretty much at home. Color is the spice of life of here! I also jumped in joy to browse through thirty channels on TV that were all in English. I was equally thrilled to see an english newspaper in the morning and I could ask for directions without bothering least about understanding them!

On Friday evening I left for my cousin Sanju's home in Richmond. He is one of my cousins who ventured into America for doing his Masters in 90s. I admire him much and conversing with him is lively and insightful. His parents(dodamma and peddanaaru) live with him and he lives with his wife(vadina) and nine months old son(sameer) who is more American than Indian. I had a great time at Richmond. Peddanaaru resembles my father very much. He retired from Indian Airforce and is enjoying a retired life now. Dodamma and Vadina made exquisite south indian cuisine throughout my stay. We drove to Washington DC on saturday. Shiva Vishnu temple in Baltimore, Capitol Hill, Smithsonian, NASA space museum, White House, Jefferson House, Lincon Memorial were some of the many sites we had been to( most of them were previews and we saw more of exteriors than interiors!..:). 'Pulihara', 'Daddojanam' and 'Prasadam' formed the main course of the menu that we relished in front of the Capitol under a huge tree. We returned to Richmond by around 12.30 midnight and retired after a long day. On sunday, we watched 'Paramanadaiyya Sishyulu Katha', an old telugu hilarious classic that leaves its audience with many giggles. I spoke to my cousins Rama, Raghu, Radhamma, Saila and Sugreev on phone and saw Akhil and Alekhya on webcam.

On monday morning, I left for Boston and I will write about my soulful experience in Boston later. I came back to my pavilion in the picturesque and disciplined Germany yesterday!