cross.connection: August 2011

View of downtown from Staten Island

Arrived at JFK at 12:50 noon, I was quite surprised the airport is not as impressive as IG Airport (size wise and grandeur of the exit. I could almost touch the ceiling). But later I realized function wise it’s a lot more convenient. I didn’t have to walk endless walkways to get my stuff and the Immigration officer was extremely nice. I was even more excited to see Upendra with his ear to ear smile as soon as I exit the door. It’s been probably two years since I met him in Delhi. Everything was sweet and working in my favor. Two hours later, I realized my body is revolting like a baby inside. It was afternoon, totally exhausted, I was dozing in between every conversation. Now I know how it feels like to jet lag. But I was not fool enough to give in to the baby revolt. There’s so much to see and feel in New York. I had lunch with his family, played with Caleb (Upendra’s 5 months old baby) and made him cry a bit and then head out to Columbus Circle where he works.

View of Columbus circle from the Subway exit

First time in the Subway, I was not impressed again with the lobby, platform (pretty dark inside, stained floors and not air-conditioned), ticketing system (you have to pay 2.5$ for every ride; yes 2.5 $) especially comparing with Delhi Metro (which is new). But then this place is the Father of Metros, first of all Metro creation, there’s history and best of all less passengers.

One thing I was anticipating in US was the feeling of smallness. You know what I mean. I’m 5’4”. However the people don’t make me feel small, except the high-rise buildings. The international population especially Asian is quite noticeable. In fact, I was taller than many. J.

Buildings are tall and enormous especially in the downtown area. Though I’m not a skyscraper fan, the architecture is something. My friend told me, as much as you can see over ground, there’s underground. It’s not hard to believe looking at all the subway routes and the sewages and what not.

Lot of things I find here doesn’t make sense. I ordered ‘Buffalo Wings’ and they brought me deep fried chicken; hamburgers don’t have any ham, etc. As an Indian, the sheer size of one serving of any food in restaurants amazes me. It’s Huge! The interesting thing is I can finish it, and I was hungry again early in the morning.

The next day, I met with Jason and his family who drove all the way from Canada. Spending time with them made my experience in New York even more special. What a wonderful people. Driving looks scary here. I guess I’m more comfortable sitting in the car in India than here in New York. They drive too fast. I’m not use to it. Also I wonder what people would do if they don’t have GPS in their cars. How much we depend on technology, but then they serve the purpose.

We visited World Trade Centre site, went to Times Square at night (Amazing lighting!), looked for Rockefeller Centre without success, took the free ferry (Indian will always be an Indian wherever he goes) to Staten Island just to get the glimpse of Statue of Liberty, saw MoMA (saw the original Picasso and Matisse Painting; how cool is that), went in but didn’t pray at St. Patrick Church and after total exhaustion, we settled for really nice, authentic Chinese food.
We ate like 11pm at night and I found so many American eating at the restaurant. I guess this invalidated my ‘American eat @6’ notion.
The next morning is quite eventful. Upendra drove me to JFK airport at 8:15am and my flight was scheduled to depart at 9:15. I hugged him and said goodbye and went in to the airport just find out that my flight departs from the La Guardia Airport which is on the other side of the city. The lady at the counter was helpful enough to give me the boarding pass and tell me to get the fastest taxi and get to La Guardia as fast as we can. Well I’m just two days old in NY and I thought I can do it. So I went down, took the first fastest taxi I could find. When I told the driver that I need to reach La Guardia in 30 minutes, he processed it a li’l bit and said he’s doubtful but said he will try his best. He passed most of the car on the road and thankfully all the lights were green and bang!!! We were at the airport just in time. I said God bless you and paid him 27$. That’s how I flew to Chicago and then to Denver. The adventure continues…