Disappointment: I went to the Embassy on the given date and time with all my documents prepared. To my surprise there were already a long line of people who had come early either in excitement or not be late. I stood there for an hour for my interview turn. My heart was thudding in my ears and I was feeling sweat on my new suit. The American officer asked me several questions including my family and academic background. While flipping through the documents required at the interview he did not seem convinced with them. He gave me another date to visit with some more information. My whole excitement lost at that moment because I had to wait for another 15 days before the documents could be processed.

Party time: Those 15 days were fun. I had parties; I think may be more than hundreds. Some with my school friends, next with my college friends and another one with my colleagues. And there were many other which we were given by my friends as a fare well. I shopped from day through evening for almost a week. I wanted to visit all my favorite places at least once, if lucky enough may be twice. I wanted to eat all those Indian stuff which are impossible to find outside the country. Also did not miss any Bollywood block buster played on theaters while I was there. I asked my maa to cook all different Indian dishes for every meal. None of us realized that the time was just flying away.

Good bye: We reached airport one hour and half before the departure time. I was with my parents, my siblings and my friends. It was a tough situation. I very thought that I am leaving all of them and going to a different world, brought tears in my eyes. I had to get in the airport to get through the security check and number of other formalities. My dad said “it is time to go” and I started crying and mother hugged me tight. I was a tough moment to get part with my brother with whom I have been so close like a friend. I hugged him and did know how would I survive without all of them. My dad came forward and gave me a kiss on my forehead and wished me luck. I some how mustered my courage and without looking back went right into the entry gate from where I had their last glimpse.

Los Angeles: My first stop in America was at Los Angeles, now I started feeling that I was in America. Yes, by looking at fast paced people around me, Starbucks, McDonalds, Policemen dressed in there blue uniform and a belt which had all kinds of gadgets, pretty looking girls, guys with long hair, teenagers dressed weird. I had two hours of time before taking another plane to Arizona and I had already traveled for 31 hours. I was exhausted. I thought of making call to my relatives in Tucson that I have reached L.A. I had few dollars with me; I took out one dollar bill and started looking for a phone booth. On searching it I found that I had to have change to make a call, the change operating machine was out of service. I asked a man about some other place to get change but not making effort to understand my accent he moved ahead. I went to McDonalds and asked the guy standing on the counter for a coke, which brought me some change. I made a call and headed towards the plane.

Nervousness: I went again on right time and date with hopefully complete set of information. I had minimal chances of getting the green signal, as I have heard the things have become tough after 9/11. There was a huge crowd and after long queues at the reception, security check I reached the spot where the interviews were taking place. It was a couple before me who was interviewed. I still remember when the lady started crying and almost begged for the visa when her husband got through and she did not. I wanted to turn my back and go home but I heard my name on the mic, which was the interview call for me. After couple of questions the officer asked me to sit in the lobby while he would check the authenticity of my documents with the references. I could hardly wait and I felt I was drowning. I wanted to run away. After 15 minutes he calls me a gives a long awaited reply “Yes, you are all set” and in my disbelief I stood there and officer again said you are done. Without saying bye or thanks I headed toward the exit and called my brother to tell him that I am going to USA.

Singapore and Tokyo: I had heard that Singapore Airport has been voted by many different magazines and organizations for many consecutive years as the best airport in the world, and to be honest it is not surprising why. Singapore International Airport, or Changi as it is known, is somewhere you do not mind arriving an hour, two or even three before your time of departure. For once Changi offers you an airport that you can actually enjoy, and look forward to going to. There are computer slots, where you can plug in your laptop and connect to the internet using your own account free of charge for as long as you like. A couple of book shops with an excellent assortment of books, electronic shops selling everything from televisions, digital cameras to your basic battery, jewelry shops, watch shops, a post office, a silver shop, exchange counters, and of course the standard perfume, alcohol and tobacco shops, and even a small supermarket. Then my second break was in Tokyo I was awed by the ombiouns of the place. I was simply impressed by the way people were looking they had positive vibes and warmth.

Awful experience: I reached at the counter where my baggage was checked and weighted. The weighing machine should that two of my bags where exceeding the allowed limit of weight. They gave me the option either to pay of the overweight or hand over my stuff to my family waiting out, if I need anything. I did not want to pay; I opened all my bags and tried to fit in the stuff form the overweighed bags to the other once which still had capacity for a kilogram or so. And rest of the stuff which I thought was not so important handed over to my parents. I got a go from the counter the security check people saw something blue on there screen, while scanning my bags. I told them that is my keyboard but they insisted on opening the bag. I got so tried of all this that I wanted to delay my flight by a day. I was in my heel-healed shoes, jeans and white shirt, opening and reopening the big bags each weighing 35 kilograms, on the floor.

Parting: The next day was my flight at 11:25 in the evening. In the morning I got up early because I found the day short for me. I had nothing to do but I felt as if there is a lot I still have not done. I was feeling sick and having butterflies in my stomach. My luggage was packed. I accompanied my parents to the temple, which we would visit once a week, they offered prayers for my safe journey and had prashad. We came home and found we had some guests who had come to say bye to me. The whole day was just spent in entertaining guests and answering phone calls. We were ready to go to airport. I was nervous. I did not talk to much because talking would have made me cry.

Moved forward: Now I made a final call to my parents, waiting for me to aboard with no further problem, from the airport both informing that everything is fine. I got in and searched for my seat and found that I was near the window. Everybody was settled down and in few minutes the plane took off. We were given snacks and refreshment. It was not my first experience on the plane but there was something different about it. I had my three breaks on my way to Arizona. One was in Singapore, next was in Tokyo and the third was in Los Angeles.

Final Destination: I was glad that I reached Arizona after 35 hours of journey rather painful journey. My shoes were biting me and I wanted to get into comfortable clothes after a warm bath. My relatives were there to receive me. It was raining heavily in the month of September which I was told was unusual. I reached my place after 15 minutes of drive and had no inclination to eat anything. I was shown my house. I went to my bedroom and slept for 12 hours to compensate no sleep for last two days. I had jet lags for 3-4 days which was terrible. For few days I was just sleeping and talking to my family in India. Now I have got comfortable to the new surrounding. The whole journey was an adventure for me an unforgettable adventure.

Sharing: I went home and called all my friends to tell them the news. Indeed in India it is a big deal to go to USA. The attitude of people change towards you and all of a sudden you are on an alleviated position. I started getting calls from my relatives and acquaintances saying “congratulations”. I was so thrilled and could not believe that it had happened. All my family members are happy for me and we have had already starting missing each other. We all made a schedule for me when to I have to go out for shopping, what all I need, whom do I have to meet before I leave, and also my grandfather made a special list of all the relatives we have in America with there contact numbers and addresses if case I need any help because I am going to a strange land.