Two months later...

So its been two months since I have been here at Minneapolis... I have experienced the first sights, sounds and smells of the U.S.. I have no idea how the first two months went by.. they have been crazy... I started my work.. I visited a couple of places... I rented a house all by myself.. have experienced living with others and alone.. bought a few gadgets and stuff.. I have been all the time trying to experience the U.S and feeling it.. and here is what I have to say..

Frankly, I have liked the experience and at the same time I have been missing India terribly... as I said earlier I haven't been amazed by the U.S and at the same time not disappointed either.. I have seen a little of - the roads here, Minneapolis, Hopkins, St.Paul's International, Newark Liberty, New York, Target, Walmart, Albertville, Hindu Temple of Minnesota, cars, bikes, NY subway, metro transit, Bombay Bistro, chat in NJ, buses, rain, rabbits, squirrels, New Jersey, people, office, food and maybe a few other things.. They look, feel, taste, smell and sound completely different from how India does. So it makes a complete different sort of an experience to be in a foreign country.. I have loved India for its diversity... I have liked the U.S for its monotony.. I liked the Indian bonds while I loved the U.S independence.. It feels great to be independent.. as much as it feels great to have loving family and friends.. as I said.. its an experience in itself..

My spending power has increased so much here that I am becoming a spend thrift... which is of late concerning me a little.. but maybe I will learn to control it soon.. the purchasing power of a U.S individual amazes me.. while in India we have to struggle with our monthly salary to meet our needs first.. here with a monthly salary we can do much more than that.. which is kind of what creates a difference in the lifestyle.. maybe.. and maybe that's one reason why people want to settle here... I am still trying hard not to judge things too much and just enjoy the experience.. its kind of hard for a person like me...

Its been good so far.. I have had a good time till now.. living life on my terms.. having tried out living alone I have discovered even though I may not be a complete extrovert - I am not a loner either.. I cannot live without someone around me.. I have discovered that I like Mexican the most after Indian.. maybe its because of the similarity in tastes.. and I hate bread.. Italian, Greek, Chinese, Thai, Malaysian and Mexican all feel so different yet somewhere down deep its the same - at least to a vegetarian like me! Subway and foot longs has been good.. But nothing can beat the McAloo tikki.. I liked the metro rail.. I am an absolute slave to BOSE... the sound they create is magical! I hope someday I will buy BOSE home theater.. I give a damn as to how much they cost! I love my Mac.. I love going on a long ride here.. waiting for a license though.. I loved the view of Chicago at night from a plane window.. cooking, dishwashing and laundry has been both exciting and boring! I realized frozen foods are life savers! View from Empire State has been awesome! Ferry ride to Statue of Liberty was exciting.. NY skyline - picturesque... My cousin's place - homely! Dahi Poori in NJ - heavenly... Bus ride to office - is becoming routine.. NY subway - crowded.. Times Square felt like a digital Monda market! Weather - excellent... Bombay Bistro remotely Indian... Greenery - I love it.. People have been good.. no trouble so far.. Hindu temple was out of the box - Never expected it to look like an office building.. Airports ... hmmmm... Target and Walmart.. I keep wishing I could buy everything I see there.. well almost everything.. cars and bikes - cool and hot!.. Albertville - Nice shopping.. Well the only thing that did not feel different in sight, smell, sound and feel is the RAIN... and I love it as I always did!