MOTHERLAND CALLING - V

We both were very happy and glad to meet each other. My other cousins had also come to the airport to welcome me. Then we went to the Domestic Airport from where we had to catch the Indian Airline flight to Ahmedabad my home city. It was just 30 min journey but still we were served with mouthwatering Indian breakfast. At last after waiting for so long…I reached Ahmedabad at 6:00AM. I was able to feel that warmth and homeliness in the zephyr as soon as I stepped down on my homeland - Ahmedabad. I was overjoyed to see all my family members who were waiting for me on the airport. After one & half year, there came my most awaited moment of life when I met my Mom and Dad. I gave them a big hug and felt as if I am in the seventh heaven at that very second. Both were too happy and proud to see me. One can imagine the joy and excitement when someone meets their near and dear ones after a long time. Unforgettable Moments...Sweet Memories :)

Thus overall it was a ‘BON VOYAGE’

MOTHERLAND CALLING - IV

As soon as we entered the plane, we were given Times Of India and served with candies and chocolates. After almost a year I was reading TOI as a hard copy and hence was pleasedJ I got more pleased to see that I have got a window seat. The panoramic view of London city, when the plane took off, is hard to describe in words. It was very beautiful. Then they started serving snacks, juices, tea, coffee and other beverages. In every one hour they use to serve something which keeps you busy and on the same hand makes your journey enjoyable. Lunch was also awesome. Jet Airways also has a good collection of some 20 Bollywood & Hollywood movies from which you can select and watch whichever movie you like. I watched three of them and that’s how I didn’t realize that the flight was of 8 hours. As soon as we reached Bombay airport, at around 12:30AM (IST), my eyes started searching for my Brother who was suppose to come at the airport to pick me up. Although I knew that visitors are not allowed in the security lounge I was still looking for him…then after waiting for almost one and half hour…I got my luggage, did all the security checks and rushed towards the gate with trolley in my hands. I was still searching for him in such a huge crowd near the gate when a voice came from behind….’Nimisha’….I turned around and there saw my brother standing with a flower bouquet in his hand. I can’t describe how I felt at this very moment. I was not able to control myself and hence broke down in his arms.

MOTHERLAND CALLING - III

We landed on London-Heathrow (LHR) airport at around 6:30 AM and had a connecting flight to Mumbai after 3 hours. On LHR airport, for a moment, I felt as if I am in India because majority of the airport staff and also the local public was Indian….Sardarji to be specific. I found the management to be very poor as there was no one to guide you in a proper manner. Also if you are going anywhere via LHR airport then please take a notice of this…just carry only one luggage/bag with you as a cabin luggage because they don’t allow more than one baggage in the flight. This was sick as it is the airports’ policy and not the airlines’. As a result I had to go to the check-in counter of jet airways and got one of my carry-on bags checked in….for this I was given a 24 hr UK Visa. Strange but true.
For this whole procedure it took me some 2 hours but after that I was relaxed and then again for an hour did some surfing on the internet…I still had that TMobile Internet account activated. Also one of my friends had Yahoo Voice Chat a/c with the help of which we all called up our home to inform that we have reached LHR safely. And finally we boarded the Jet Airways flight 9W 119 at around 9:20 AM which took off at 9:55AM….and there begins my final voyage towards my country…INDIA.

MOTHERLAND CALLING - II

At 12:50PM I was there at Dulles airport. I had to go to terminal C for which there was a Shuttle service at the airport. For the first time I had seen such a big, huge and spacious shuttle. Got on the terminal had something to eat and then what to do….because my connecting flight was at 6:06PM….almost five hours to go. So what else…found a hotspot and got a 24hr (paid) Net Connection from TMobile. I found it useful as I chatted with many of friends, checked my emails (had many e-cards in my inbox) and also did some of my project work from the airport J I even got a surprise bday gift (Electronic Sudoku puzzle) on the Dulles airport from one of my friend in Raleigh. I never expected such a surprise and hence will never forget it. Finally at 5:30, boarding call came for the passengers of flight UA918 and then I made some last minute calls to few of my friends in Raleigh to bid them goodbye because after this (i.e. outside US) my cell phone was not going to work. At the gate they took our I-94 form wishing us happy & safe journey. It was almost 8 hours flight till London. I know…it was very long and tiring trip…but I was very excited to reach home. Got a corner/aisle seat 41G in the middle column. Saw few movies…obviously Angrezi flick hence got bored very soon and slept in between. Then we were served with Dinner…mine was special Indian Veggie platter…wanna know what??? Naan, Chhole, Paneer & Mix Veg, Pulao, Salad and Badam halwa….it was really good. Then after sometime they served some snacks and drinks.

MOTHERLAND CALLING - I

And finally after one & half year the day came for which I was eagerly waiting. The day when I felt to be one of the happiest person on this earth. It was 14th of Dec 2006 when I left Raleigh and begun my journey towards my motherland. Nothing could be a better gift for me on my birthday other than this…what say???


I was so glad that I wasn’t able to sleep that night. According to my Itinerary, my flight from RDU to Washington-Dulles was at 7:40AM hence I reached RDU airport at 5:40 AM. But after coming to US I learnt one thing that Domestic flights are never on time….they are always late due to one or the other reason. This time the reason was ‘fog’ in the Washington City. For 40 mins of flight I have to wait for more than 4 hours on the airport at C21 terminal. Never mind…because anyways I have to wait on Wash-Dulles airport for nine hours. Although I carried a Good book with me, as suggested by the UA rep, I killed my time just by moving around and observing people on the airport. At last there came the boarding call for passengers of flight UA7130 and finally the flight took off at 12:10PM. Sad part was…due to this delay we were served ‘nothing’ in the flight.

Last but not the least is "Fun". It used to be in many forms...going out for Dinner or Lunch, Bunking and going to CG Road or Rasranjan (favourite adda for LDits), going for long drives on highways, family gathering and if nothing works then making fun of others was also a great time pass.

Next 'F' is for "Films". You can watch Hindi movies here also (if time permits). There are lots of option- online, DVDs, CDs, Cassettes or even go to galaxy theater (if u have a Car && if u r ready to spent 5$. Dont forget your student ID in order to get this discount). But the point here is you cant bunk your class and go out for a movie with your friends whenever you wish :( Also theaters over here are not like the ones we have in India...No Balcony system, No seat Numbers...nothing. I really miss Fun Republic & City Gold.

Obviously how can we forget our "Festivals"...lots of fun and entertainment. Gifts,Sweets, delicious dishes and whole day of njoiment. Diwali, Holi, Rakhi, Uttarayan, Navratri....each & every festival is unique of its kind and full of Josh and utsaah...yahan par sab kuchh kitna shaant aur khamosh hota hai...halloween, thanxgvng & even christmas.

But yes, we did lighted 'Diyas' on Diwali over here keeping up with Indian tradition...par I missed Anar, jalebi, pencil and fuljhadi. Hope this Holi turns out to be somewhat better.

Next 'F' stands for "Friends". Seriously I miss my group a lot...'My friends are my estate'. I have made a lots of friends over here too but (again 'but') 'It takes a long time to grow an old and true friend'.

Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold...

The second most important thing which I think we all miss is "Food" Isnt it? I am especially missing all that junk food like pani puri, bhel puri, vada pau, dabeli, puff, samosa and sandwich. Gujarati dishes like dhokla, khaman, khandvi, handvo, khakhra etc etc... never ending list....... yummy...naam likhte likhte hi muh me paani aa raha hai :)

I tried those Tortillas & Pita Bread.....that was yakkkkkk....I wonder yeh log kaise kha sakte hai yeh sab? Nothing can replace 'Maa ke haath ki Roti'. Only thing I like eating here is Papa John's Garden fresh pizza.

Thinking about all those things that I miss the most about India are the ones starting with "F".

The first and the foremost is my "Family". Even today, after spending 7 months over here I still feel Nostalgic most of the times. I know we all miss our family equally well and try to indulge ourselves in one or the other activities (as said by Parth) just to keep their thoughts away... par phir bhi jab ghar ki yaad aati hai tab I cant help it :(

Hi All,

This space is for all Desis over here....

Feel free to write anything in this blog, like your good & bad experiences , things you miss the most, things you hate or love etc. etc...

Cheers :)