And I arrive... in America

(This post has just recovered from jet-lag. Hence the week-long delay.)

Friday, Apr. 27, 2007. (18:30 hrs, EST)
The nearly 20-hour journey soon gave way to the Atlantic. Unfortunately for me, I had to be satisfied with the view on the screen. It must be really awesome looking out of the window at the vast ocean hitherto confined only to the imagination lent by geography books and television. Being in the aisle seat, I tried getting a ‘window glimpse’ but for my burly German co-passenger. He and his lady companion also seemed to be visiting America the first time, so I didn’t want to mar their excitement by asking for swapping the seats. And I already had done the requesting during the Duabi-Hamburg leg of the journey, with another German passenger. The Dubai-Hamburg incidentally proved to be the best stretch of the journey, thanks to a window on my left (I generally sleep on my left), besides reasonably good food and an enjoyable video. With an amazing repertoire of international movies, videos, documentaries and music, you couldn’t ask for more.

The enjoyment fizzled out however, with the technical halt at Hamburg, where we had to disembark. We were back into the same aircraft but all the fun went out with that window, the seat and adjoining one now rightfully occupied by a German couple. I remembered something. I hadn’t brushed in hours (yuck!), so got up to proceed to the bathroom - another cozy retreat I must say. Surveying the meticulousness accompanying the bathroom to accommodate even teeny-weeny essentials (which even many international airlines lack), only a lady with a prim ‘n’ propah demeanor and taste could have designed it! (Err… the gender thing is purely unavoidable).

Another meal (lunch? dinner? oh never mind!), a snack and portion of an all-time favourite movie later, as the wheels touched JFK International, I stretched my legs, letting go of the tiredness.
The land of Uncle Sam greeted me with mild showers and ooooooh the wind, the speed of which could have transported me back home! Pulling my jacket closer, as I walked towards the terminal for the last round of formalities, I tried to build some excitement within me. The next two days, all my friends could think of is, “how does it feel to be in America?”… while all I could muster was err… "Oh… nice", because the feeling was yet to sink in me. The only answer I would promptly give was “I still don’t feel the jet-lag”, which errr… is quite true.The very sight of a long winding queue (it was good one and half hour before my turn) left me tired. I think that was the only jet lag I felt! Half the population in the queue comprised the Germans , taking potshots (at Americans, I gathered), which offered some respite during the long wait. The immigration check was another nightmare, since being on a tourist visa I would have to prove hard that I am not a potential immigrant. Images of being whisked away for detailed questioning and being deported, danced before the tired eyes. The African-American lady behind the counter, however, only wanted to know the purpose of the visit. And when she stamped it for six months, it was a sigh of relief that accompanies the most important exam, well done.

Next thing was to ask for the pay-phone and dial my sister, awaiting in eager anticipation.The man serving as airport staff gently guided me to a pay phone and even offered some quarters, for the call! Not bad… My first interaction with Americans was good.
Without having to wait too long for my baggage, I stood outside for a while when I spotted the most familiar and eagerly awaited face. After exchanging a huge bear hug, the onlookers could see the two sisters pushing the trolley towards the car-park, giggling away like school girls. The banter, the party and the fun had only begun…