Off I Go to San Francisco.. was the tag line as I boarded the flight. I was travelling for a week's business conference leaving the hustle bustle of my daily routine. I was excited to go somewhere all by myself and the icing on the cake was that it was sponsored by my company. Though a little apprehensive about leaving my son for so long, I must admit I was looking forward to it. All my life I never travelled out of my comfort zone. My parents were always over protective about me and never sent me anywhere alone and post marriage it never occurred to me that I could travel alone. But then - "Off I go.. to San Francisco."
My colleagues and manager played good hosts and made me comfortable at the foreign land. San Francisco as a city is buzzing with people and traffic, is unpredictable climate wise and to my surprise has few homeless people too. Few streets have the view of Sea and not to forget the Golden great bridge and Bay bridge which are quite a sight. Despite the beauty that lay in front, though I liked the change in place, culture and lifestyle, though I was sinking and bringing in some peace to my mind, my heart was agitated as I left behind something that I call MY HOME.
To my surprise I wasn't jet lagged much, owing to the fact that I usually don't get much time to sleep. I noticed the soil to be more fertile and rich in Organic matter than our soil (insignificant it might be to many). As a result of which the fruits and veggies were bigger in size than ours and I bought loads of fruits to eat during my stay. Meat less food and alcohol free drinks were difficult to procure. Amidst the cold food, water and climate the only thing that kept me free of flu was my vial of Zinda Talismath. Yup! I would highly recommend it to my friends.
Just a week's travel on work didn't leave me with much time to travel but fortunately I could take out friday (thanks to my Boss) to tour San Francisco. yippee! I also took the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) all by myself with Google to assist. Since I was equipped with an international SIM and mobile data, I confidently tread the roads of San Francisco scarcely taking my eyes off google Maps. I was too scared to get lost. But Alas! Taad goes away the internet signal for couple of minutes and that was when I missed my husband the most. I scampered my way here and there until the signal restored and hopped onto the bus, a little shaken but confidence restored on my stars.
The places I visited were:
1. Japan Town
2. Marina District
3. Palace of fine arts
4. Golden Gate bridge
5. Sausolito
6. Contemporary Musuem - did not venture inside
7. California Academy of sciences - did not venture inside
8. Conservatory of flowers - did not venture inside
9. Tenderloin: Which is a place for poor and single people, where most of the transgenders of the city reside.
10. Alamo Square: Which has victorian styled houses
11. Financial district
12. Fisherman's Warf
13. Pier 39
14. Alacatraz prison - did not venture inside
15. Lombard Street
16. Pier 39,41
17. Coitte towers
18. Levi's plaza
19. Ferry building
20. Southern Pacific Company
21. China Town
The weekend was spent with my friend's family at Fremont and that was the best part of my trip.
Interesting Encounters:
There are interesting people everywhere. You only have to strike a conversation:
1. Writer:
On my journey from Pleasonton to San Francisco, in the BART, I happened to sit beside an Indian, who had also come to visit the City all by herself. She was a pretty cool woman because she makes it a point to travel alone to various countries every year, leaving behind her husband and son. Later she told me that she was a script writer for daily soaps of Star Plus. Boy! I never met any writer till then and this writer looked and sounded like any of us. And I realize - "Thats what every one is - HUMAN. Like all of us".
2. Awaara:
While returning from our ferry ride at pier 43, we hired a Taxi and the driver was too old and grumpy. As soon as we boarded, he said that he wouldn't accept cards because that seemingly causes him some problem and said he wouldn't follow any car but go at his own pace, as he was the car was his own. He complained on how people whiz past on roads scaring him not caring for theirs or others cars. Man! I would want him to try driving in Hyderabad. Every other minute he would raise his wrinkled hand at a vehicle on the road finding fault with its driver. Accusing UBER of stealing his daily bread and cursing San Francisco for its raising traffic and pollution, he drove us as we sat silently hoping for the ride to end. He then asked us "Are you from India?" We gave a hesistant "Yes" in reply not expecting what would come next. He said that he was from Ukraine and came to San Francisco 57 years back, when the place was calm and serene. He said in his husky old voice, "Back then when I was in Ukraine, Indian movies were famous. There was one actor Raj Kapoor and his movie Awaara, I watched it 15 times." and started singing "Awaara gu (he used Gu for Hoon but sang in perfect tune).. Taa dadada.. Awaar gu.. Papa tadidadi taadidaadi tadidadi dadi taadidaadi.. Awaara gu.. yaa gardish mein gu aasmaan ka taar guu.. Awaara guu." He was now filled with child like enthusiasm which brought a youthful spark in his eyes. He recounted the old days when his friends would come to him with the request to sing Awaara Gu. I played the video song of Awaara Hoon on youtube for him and he started kissing Raj Kapoor. I wanted to add that Raj Kapoor was long gone. But held back as I didnt want to spoil the aura of the moment. I was never a fan of bollywood or movie buff and never had any high regards for any movie star. But if a mere memory of it could bring back the spark in a grumpy old man's life then I think I should change my views about movies and movie making. As we got down the taxi, the driver thanked me for the video and asked "Do you know who I am?" as I was about to reply "Shasha," when he chimed "I am Awaara." and he went away singing "Awaara gu.." nodding his head in old Dev Anand style.
3. Abdul:
My cab driver from Fremont to San Francisco Airport. This guy was a young tall and muscular guy. He asked me my country and I proudly said "India" with my nose held high and then we started conversing in hindi. Abdul is from Afghanistan. He wanted to study but basic education is a luxury in Afghanistan. Thanks to Taliban. He went to Pakistan to learn english and came to India to write a scholarship exam. Abdul had high regards for India because Indian government is helping Afghanistan with scholarships to study in India. Though he failed the scholarship test, his friends passed and were studying in India and said that Indians are very friendly compared to Pakistanis. He worked few years in Software companies at remote locations but returned to Afghanistan to join armed forces with US against Taliban. He says its easy for Afghani Army men to get a Green card to US. When I expressed my surprise, he said that Trump is in favour of Afghanistan and welcomes them to US. Abdul also gets free food from US government and $70 per day in the US. He says he hardly spends his earnings. The US government is taking care of his expenses. I asked the most obvious question, "Did you like US?" for which he replied, "The country is big, views and scenic beauty is good, roads are wide, but their hearts are narrow. You never know when they stab you from behind. They might flash a smile at you but you never know when they can turn against you." His country might be small, backward and might be at war but that was his home and wanted to return as soon as he gets US citizenship and US passport. Because not many countries offer him a job with Afghani passport. With a US passport in hand he could go and work anywhere and have a decent life back home. That was a bright and hopeful man I met as I closed my trip. And I returned to my land, not forgetting the good things he said about India. If an Afghani could find his nation desirable than US, then that's a learning for many of us.
Learnings:
1. Shopping: Shopping in US is costlier than in India. Considering the fact that most of the products in US are made in China, I would rather prefer to buy them with rupees instead of shedding dollars.
2. Food: Be very specific about your choice of food. Vegetarian doesnt mean without egg. Water doesnt mean without ICE. Darn! But water at room temperature is also as cold as ice. Be careful and extra cautious while they are mixing drinks. Because they don't know you are a teetotaler. And most important of all, don't forget that you dont have anyone to carry you to the room if you pass out.
3. Traffic rules: Do not cross the road like in India. There is a signal for pedestrians crossing. However, pedestrians are the boss of US roads. Where there is no zebra crossing, pedestrians can feel free to cross the roads and all vehicles come to a screeching halt. All you have to do next is ignore the swear words that follow. (anyways, you wouldn't understand the accent.)
4. Queue: There is a queue for everything in US. Whether you want to get the train or bus, grab a quick bite or rush to the loo, please join the queue.
5. Travel: Travel as much as you can if you want to know the world. Stay in you cocoon only if you want to die ignorant.
My colleagues and manager played good hosts and made me comfortable at the foreign land. San Francisco as a city is buzzing with people and traffic, is unpredictable climate wise and to my surprise has few homeless people too. Few streets have the view of Sea and not to forget the Golden great bridge and Bay bridge which are quite a sight. Despite the beauty that lay in front, though I liked the change in place, culture and lifestyle, though I was sinking and bringing in some peace to my mind, my heart was agitated as I left behind something that I call MY HOME.
To my surprise I wasn't jet lagged much, owing to the fact that I usually don't get much time to sleep. I noticed the soil to be more fertile and rich in Organic matter than our soil (insignificant it might be to many). As a result of which the fruits and veggies were bigger in size than ours and I bought loads of fruits to eat during my stay. Meat less food and alcohol free drinks were difficult to procure. Amidst the cold food, water and climate the only thing that kept me free of flu was my vial of Zinda Talismath. Yup! I would highly recommend it to my friends.
Just a week's travel on work didn't leave me with much time to travel but fortunately I could take out friday (thanks to my Boss) to tour San Francisco. yippee! I also took the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) all by myself with Google to assist. Since I was equipped with an international SIM and mobile data, I confidently tread the roads of San Francisco scarcely taking my eyes off google Maps. I was too scared to get lost. But Alas! Taad goes away the internet signal for couple of minutes and that was when I missed my husband the most. I scampered my way here and there until the signal restored and hopped onto the bus, a little shaken but confidence restored on my stars.
The places I visited were:
1. Japan Town
2. Marina District
3. Palace of fine arts
4. Golden Gate bridge
5. Sausolito
6. Contemporary Musuem - did not venture inside
7. California Academy of sciences - did not venture inside
8. Conservatory of flowers - did not venture inside
9. Tenderloin: Which is a place for poor and single people, where most of the transgenders of the city reside.
10. Alamo Square: Which has victorian styled houses
11. Financial district
12. Fisherman's Warf
13. Pier 39
14. Alacatraz prison - did not venture inside
15. Lombard Street
16. Pier 39,41
17. Coitte towers
18. Levi's plaza
19. Ferry building
20. Southern Pacific Company
21. China Town
The weekend was spent with my friend's family at Fremont and that was the best part of my trip.
Interesting Encounters:
There are interesting people everywhere. You only have to strike a conversation:
1. Writer:
On my journey from Pleasonton to San Francisco, in the BART, I happened to sit beside an Indian, who had also come to visit the City all by herself. She was a pretty cool woman because she makes it a point to travel alone to various countries every year, leaving behind her husband and son. Later she told me that she was a script writer for daily soaps of Star Plus. Boy! I never met any writer till then and this writer looked and sounded like any of us. And I realize - "Thats what every one is - HUMAN. Like all of us".
2. Awaara:
While returning from our ferry ride at pier 43, we hired a Taxi and the driver was too old and grumpy. As soon as we boarded, he said that he wouldn't accept cards because that seemingly causes him some problem and said he wouldn't follow any car but go at his own pace, as he was the car was his own. He complained on how people whiz past on roads scaring him not caring for theirs or others cars. Man! I would want him to try driving in Hyderabad. Every other minute he would raise his wrinkled hand at a vehicle on the road finding fault with its driver. Accusing UBER of stealing his daily bread and cursing San Francisco for its raising traffic and pollution, he drove us as we sat silently hoping for the ride to end. He then asked us "Are you from India?" We gave a hesistant "Yes" in reply not expecting what would come next. He said that he was from Ukraine and came to San Francisco 57 years back, when the place was calm and serene. He said in his husky old voice, "Back then when I was in Ukraine, Indian movies were famous. There was one actor Raj Kapoor and his movie Awaara, I watched it 15 times." and started singing "Awaara gu (he used Gu for Hoon but sang in perfect tune).. Taa dadada.. Awaar gu.. Papa tadidadi taadidaadi tadidadi dadi taadidaadi.. Awaara gu.. yaa gardish mein gu aasmaan ka taar guu.. Awaara guu." He was now filled with child like enthusiasm which brought a youthful spark in his eyes. He recounted the old days when his friends would come to him with the request to sing Awaara Gu. I played the video song of Awaara Hoon on youtube for him and he started kissing Raj Kapoor. I wanted to add that Raj Kapoor was long gone. But held back as I didnt want to spoil the aura of the moment. I was never a fan of bollywood or movie buff and never had any high regards for any movie star. But if a mere memory of it could bring back the spark in a grumpy old man's life then I think I should change my views about movies and movie making. As we got down the taxi, the driver thanked me for the video and asked "Do you know who I am?" as I was about to reply "Shasha," when he chimed "I am Awaara." and he went away singing "Awaara gu.." nodding his head in old Dev Anand style.
3. Abdul:
My cab driver from Fremont to San Francisco Airport. This guy was a young tall and muscular guy. He asked me my country and I proudly said "India" with my nose held high and then we started conversing in hindi. Abdul is from Afghanistan. He wanted to study but basic education is a luxury in Afghanistan. Thanks to Taliban. He went to Pakistan to learn english and came to India to write a scholarship exam. Abdul had high regards for India because Indian government is helping Afghanistan with scholarships to study in India. Though he failed the scholarship test, his friends passed and were studying in India and said that Indians are very friendly compared to Pakistanis. He worked few years in Software companies at remote locations but returned to Afghanistan to join armed forces with US against Taliban. He says its easy for Afghani Army men to get a Green card to US. When I expressed my surprise, he said that Trump is in favour of Afghanistan and welcomes them to US. Abdul also gets free food from US government and $70 per day in the US. He says he hardly spends his earnings. The US government is taking care of his expenses. I asked the most obvious question, "Did you like US?" for which he replied, "The country is big, views and scenic beauty is good, roads are wide, but their hearts are narrow. You never know when they stab you from behind. They might flash a smile at you but you never know when they can turn against you." His country might be small, backward and might be at war but that was his home and wanted to return as soon as he gets US citizenship and US passport. Because not many countries offer him a job with Afghani passport. With a US passport in hand he could go and work anywhere and have a decent life back home. That was a bright and hopeful man I met as I closed my trip. And I returned to my land, not forgetting the good things he said about India. If an Afghani could find his nation desirable than US, then that's a learning for many of us.
Learnings:
1. Shopping: Shopping in US is costlier than in India. Considering the fact that most of the products in US are made in China, I would rather prefer to buy them with rupees instead of shedding dollars.
2. Food: Be very specific about your choice of food. Vegetarian doesnt mean without egg. Water doesnt mean without ICE. Darn! But water at room temperature is also as cold as ice. Be careful and extra cautious while they are mixing drinks. Because they don't know you are a teetotaler. And most important of all, don't forget that you dont have anyone to carry you to the room if you pass out.
3. Traffic rules: Do not cross the road like in India. There is a signal for pedestrians crossing. However, pedestrians are the boss of US roads. Where there is no zebra crossing, pedestrians can feel free to cross the roads and all vehicles come to a screeching halt. All you have to do next is ignore the swear words that follow. (anyways, you wouldn't understand the accent.)
4. Queue: There is a queue for everything in US. Whether you want to get the train or bus, grab a quick bite or rush to the loo, please join the queue.
5. Travel: Travel as much as you can if you want to know the world. Stay in you cocoon only if you want to die ignorant.
