An Expat’s story of landing in India after 10 long years….[1]

I feel like documenting my life more now than ever before. This way, I guess I can reach out to other fellow country men who are trying to come back to their country after a long overseas stay. I hope this will help them in getting ready for things and what they should or should not expect from here.

We landed in India on the  24^th July at New Delhi (NY -> Brussels -> New Delhi) about 9.30 PM. The flight was on time, Jet airways was awesome. Most importantly, the one way tickets costed much less from NY than from anywhere else. It was just about half the price of a one way fare from DFW. The flying time and journey was uneventful. We had windows and isle seats and that was the best combination ever. Jet airways had much more leg space than any other airlines we have traveled. I have also traveled in Air India and the leg space is comparable to that. People were friendly and the choice of channels was awesome. I managed to see many episodes of the Big bang theory. One comparison I would like to make here with the airlines I traveled to China (I think probably US airways and China Eastern airlines). The difference between these airlines and Jet was obviously with food and hospitality, and most importantly with the choice of TV programs on board. In those airlines, the choice of programs were limited to  very few and there was issue with synchronization. In other words, if you choose to play a program, then it will appear that the program is running already like a regular TV show, and you have to wait for a certain period of time to get that re-broadcasted. This may be because they are using very less bandwidth…

In any case, we landed in Delhi only to realize that one of our baggage was missing that contained all our documents. We initiated all the procedures, so that it should be delivered the next day to the hotel we checked in. We spent the whole night in Delhi airport. They have a guest lounge area where you can stretch yourself. Our flight to Kolkata was in the morning at 6.40AM. We checked in all our bags and belongings at 3.40 AM and were killing time in the airport. Finally, we boarded and reached Kolkata on time. My brother was there right on the gate (he works at the airport). Then surprises followed. The hotel we booked through hotels.com informed us that the hotel is actually not booked. My brother tried to use his connections in getting us a place, but finally it turned out that they let us stay in a suit that costed 3 times the price we would have liked to pay. To add to our troubles, there was also taxi strike. Some news channel type people came to me asked me about my experiences about the strike. I am not sure if they had broadcasted it or not, but it was funny. I emailed Dr. Mandal (A chief scientist, who I was in touch with from the very beginning of my recruitment procedure at IICB) about our housing woes and thankfully, they managed to book guest house from the next day for 10 days. I would join the institute as a Ramalingaswamy fellow initially at the insistence of the director. The regular position will take a while is what I was told. In any case, after that being done, we decided to proceed back to the hotel and slept a lot. The next day morning, we proceeded to the CSIR guest house that is located by the side of the Ravindra sarovar. It is a very nice place with high speed internet in each block. It is managed really well. After a long time, I did not have to lift our overweight luggage, somebody else actually did it for me:)) We called the laundry guys to come and take our dresses for washing and drying. I guess, my dresses must thank me for that since they were never pressed in last years…Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner was served along with morning and evening tea. Again another luxury, did not have to wash utensils in 10 years. We just eat in the dining room (Food served) and walk off. Food comprises of Rice, Roti, 2 veggie items, dal, salad and sweets. I am enjoying it. The room cost per employee (IICB) is Rs.25 and Rs 50 for Pramod. It was very cheap and nice place to be in. Now I am feeling little bit like home since we will be here for a stretch of 10 days. Looking back I realized ever since we vacated our home (on July 4^th), I never lived in a place for longer than a week. So, this definitely appears long term. My second day in Kolkata was really good. We booked a car for the whole day and ferried around the city. I managed to talk with the section officer of the institute, clarified some employment related questions, filled up some more forms and came back to guest house. We took walk by the sarovar side that has beautiful walking trails. The next day 27^th July was also a good one. I  send my photos for id making, followed by making some progress into taking students and my office space. On 28^th our baggage arrived and we obtained a data plan for cell phone. The next thing remains is to buy a phone.

Kolkata has not changed ever since independence I guess, with all the old dilapidated structures and non-functional traffic. It is impossible to go from one place to another without frequent halts. I am not sure why the govt. is not taking any actions. There are old vehicles, taxis ferrying around and people with their unpleasant demeanor make situation more worse. But slowly, you will realize that behind their grumpy face does not lie any anger towards you, but rather that is their true native state.

The first few days appears extremely similar to my CPMB joining dates for Ph.D programs. The only difference is, I was much younger and in-experienced then. I am now tempted to write about a comparative account of landing in USA VS landing in India. I am sure there will be many parallels as well as perpendiculars. Life is slowly settling and I am feeling better each passing day.  

Our Last Month in USA

Soon after we sold our house that is on 26^{th June}, our new home owner allowed us to be there at home till 4^th of July. We had everything else sold except the refrigerator.  We gave away all small items including the office tables, chairs, hangers, kitchen items, groceries etc. On 3^rd night one person comes and enquires about the fridge. He agreed to pay only $100 for the fridge. We still had some food items inside. We are big tea fans, so just replenished our organic milk supply on 3^rd not realizing that the fridge will no longer be there after the next day. The next day, on the 4^th July, our new owner arrives with his entire crew (his wife, children)  at about 9 Am while we were still having tea. We just started boiling milk then. In any case, after seeing them, we did not want to hang around there for any longer. We decided to leave with all our belongings to the hotel. But the actual check in time for any hotel was around 2 PM. It was really very hot outside and we reached our hotel thinking that they will let us in. But, since it was holiday time, they said there is no guarantee that you will get a room even though it is booked. We could not wait any longer because we would spill and spoil the milk. So, we moved in with all our belongings loaded in a car from one hotel to another. Finally the one very close to our house, most importantly close to Y was available. We booked that and we had an early check in. Among other things we carried, utensils, kitchen papers, toilet papers, small amount of groceries. But it is needless to mention that we used each of the items that we so painfully carried with us. The next day, I was all set to go to VA to conduct workshop and jamboree. My trip to VA was very enjoyable. I will post about it later. Pramod poor thing lived in seclusion for all those 9 days and managed to sell his car on the Sunday after I came back from VA. It was all very memorable. I re-made my yoga video, put the annotations and music in it. Spend my time really leisurely going to Y, talking on phone having nature walk.

On 18^th July, we decided to check out of the hotel and stay in one of our friend’s house. We littered their house with unending number of trashy items, and feel bad about it. On 18^th evening, I could go out and say bye to all my friends. That night however, was very memorable for us for the in-appropriate behavior of our friend’s husband. It is hard to believe… The explanation for their behavior was not satisfactory and we have decided to dissociate from them. That was quite an experience. When we look back and think what has happened, we just feel overwhelmed for our new experience. Of course there is always some kind of sadness involved in losing the friendship of a close one, but hey that happens in life…

On 19^th we started for NY from DFW. Everything was good. Returned the vehicle on time, The overweight luggage bags with the domestic flights were waived in consideration of our international travel and so on. Finally, we reached in La guardia airport. We booked a room through airbnb website. I would recommend that site to anyone who does not want to pay a lot of money to the hotels and at the same time, seek the comfort of home for a long term stay. Our guest house was located in Bronx and it was just 6 miles from La guardia airport. Booked a cab, landed there by 3 PM. Pramod started his office work and I also started my work. I must admit one thing here, the internet speed was awesome. I never had experienced such high speed internet. I could do all my data downloads from the guest house. I would highly recommend this place to anyone. The place is called Sobro guest house. It has a shared kitchen, groceries, shared toilets. But nevertheless, everything was extremely clean. We went around on 19^th, did some shopping and ordered Chinese take out. The stay in NY was awesome. Then Vidya joined us on Saturday and showed us around the city. We appreciate her company and her time and moreover, it was good that we met her before we left.  We had the experience of testing some exquisite Thai tea, nice Indian Masala Dosas and some Indian Buffet. On Saturday, we managed to walk in on the Brooklyn bridge, empire state building, then time square. On Sunday, we visited the world trade center(9/11memorial) , Rockefeller center and central park. We went back to room at around 7 PM. I managed to cook in the rest house earlier and we had the opportunity to eat home cooked meal. That night, all the house-mates were very active, having Vodka, talking and playing cards etc. There was a film suit also going on at the same time. Then comes 23^rd, we set for leaving to the airport. Only dis-appointment was the taxi prices. The local taxis cost about $45 from Bronx to JFK airport, but this taxi which we thought should take $35, charged us $65 eventually.

So, in the end of our stay we learned 2 important lessons in life: 1. Never to get too close to anyone and get so attached that their behavior will hurt you. 2. Never assume anything.

My VA Trip....

Every year I enjoy my trip to VA. It has become a ritual ever since I started working from home.I get there, take few lectures on structural annotation, Nextgen sequencing and hands on exercises and participate in annotation jamboree and come back. But this year, it was really special. Every year although I assume trip to VA may be the my last one, but this year it was the "real" last one, since in less than 1 week after the workshop and jamboree I was suppose to leave for India. I don't know how but I somehow managed to keep that creepy feeling of separation away from me.

The best part of the trip was Chitii and Dewal-Rana's visit. I can't appreciate enough for the time they have spent in coming all along to say good bye to me. But in true sense, I know we will meet again somewhere sooner than we did this time. Both Dewal and Chitti  are nature lovers and their company always tempts us to explore the natural trails that Blacksburg  is blessed with. Chitti arrived from Ohio (non-stop driving) and Dewal and Rana arrived from DC after a 4 hours drive on evening of 7th July 2012. It was already evening, but we did not waste any time, managed to go to Pandapa's pond, made a full circle around the ponds. In the night, we had dinner at the sole Indian restaurant in Blacksburg followed by a VBI tour. Rana Dewal and Chitti were visiting their sitting places after a long time. By the way, although I was technically an employee of VBI, they have banished my sitting place and the computer.

The next days plan was big and adventurous. Sadly, we just had the day of 8th on our hand, since they all had to start working on the 10th onwards and 9th was kept for driving back home. I also had my jamboree on 9th. Hard pressed with time, we did something incredible. We started off in the morning after breakfast to explore the hucklebury trail from the NRV mall [More about huckleburry trail here]. We took the entire trail leisurely and completed the whole trail in 2 and half hours. Sweating profusely and beaten by scorching sun, there was no looking back. It was nice to see people cruising across the place in bikes and in running mode. Completely exhausted, we reached at the library and took Chitti's car (thanks Chitti !!) that was parked near the library to the mall. Chinese food and ice cream seemed the perfect combination at that point. Rana vowed not to come again with us that evening. We decided to take the cascade hiking that same evening - it was odd but we had no time left. But the only hitch was, we were supposed to meet Nishant, Nileshwari and their little boy in the evening for dinner and that was suppose to be at 8 PM. We reached our respective rooms by 3.30 PM and took small naps and then started of to the cascade fall at around 5 PM. As it is about 20 minutes drive and we had our own delays in stopping and taking pictures, we could reach the foot of the mountains only at 6.30 PM. However, our frequent stoppages and breaks delayed the process quite a bit. We were just about 15 more minutes to go before we reached the tip, it was already 7.30 PM and we were suppose to meet Nishant family at 8 PM. Dewal started calling them frantically from the mountain trails. But there was no network, so we decided to descend and go back directly to dinner in our sweat soaked state. We were actually quite late for dinner and I was really glad that we came down. Did not want a toddler waiting for us late in the night for dinner. I was meeting with Nishant/Nileshwari and their little boy after a long gap of 4 years!! It was great meeting with them.We 4 (Chitii, Rana, Dewal and I) went to my room after dinner at the Holiday Inn and chit chatted till wee hours of the night before parting away. Chitti stayed on for Monday. Soon after my jamboree at 5 PM, we decided to explore mountain lake. [More here]. We took pictures on and off wherever it appeared interesting. This is the place where the famous 1987 movie dirty dancing was shot. The most difficult part of the trip was climbing up the mountains and the steep sideways. I was constantly warning Chitti to not look anywhere, and poor Chitti obliged to it.

On Tuesday morning, Chitti left and I was all by myself again. Days were busy but in the evening, I always had company. On Tuesday Biswarup and Endang took me for dinner, wednes day my lab buddies Regina and Hua Wise took me to an Italian place and on Thursday, there was big dinner party at Chunxia's. This time I missed going out swimming with Chunxia. They are such sweet people. Then Susan came to pick me up on thursday night to her place to Roanoke. On Friday, I was to leave for TX. I met her girls and it is always nice to watch them grow. The little one (Natalie) likes to mingle with strangers. Both girls are soooo cute. Friday was the end of my final VA journey. I miss you all my dear friends, it was great knowing you all.... I will publish the video I made out of the photographs shortly. [Publishing the video]

Our last few days in Texas

I wanted to enjoy every day we had in Texas and it feels nostalgic now. Is it so difficult to let go of a place? May be, but writing a blog on that really helps. On July 4th we left (read rather evicted of ) our house and checked into a hotel (made sure that we moved close to Y). I left for VA on the 5th for my annual workshop while Pramod stayed on in the extended stay and managed his office work etc. My VA trip was great and I enjoyed a lot. Going to write about it in my next post with pictures and videos. I returned back on 13th, spend time very leisurely, getting up late etc. Pramod managed to cook some fish and dal and some leafy vegetables for me as welcome lunch. Went to my body pump class at 11.30 AM, had a swimming schedule in the evening but could not do it. On sunday early morning, our car was sold finally and we went and picked up a rental car, a nice one that to.

Lately Y became my lifeline...

My favorite ladies: My Zumba instructors at Y.

Sunday Lunch in Suchismita's house, followed by dinner in Pushpa nani's house. It just passed so quickly. Then came monday, I created a new yoga video and posted it. Tuesday Zumba class, took pictures with my instructors, wednes day body pump class and that is it. We went to visit one of our friends and wanted to stay back that night and something really in-appropriate happened. That made it more bizarre. We have communicated with the right parties and in few more days we may be able to do more about it.[Update: The parties have apologized, so we are good to go]. But hey, life is so full of experiences and that teaches us a lot about life. I will write about it, when I am completely out of it.[Update: Now I am out of it completely]...

Let go of things

On 30th June, we have had a Chakra workshop by my favorite yoga teacher at the Gratitude Yoga center Mansfield. It was incredible and I wish to share my experience in one of my later blogs. However, just thinking of giving a glimpse of what I learned. One of our chakras are responsible for letting go of things. We have seen people in our lives, who can't let go of things easily, they hold everything onto them - be it people, objects, relationships, grudges, feelings etc. This is an extreme form. We take up a quiz in our Chakra class and it asks few questions subtly, that brings about an insight about our ability to let go of things. Although I was not very strong in that chakra, but nevertheless I scored well. Now in real life example, I wanted to try and see where I really stand for in 'letting go'  department.

I was holding onto this job for this long, that was a big part of my problem. I always thought how it will be to let go of it. Well, in March I just said I am leaving, it felt little bit bad, but not nearly as bad as I would have expected. In April, we almost sold our house, in May our bed was sold. Before all that I imagined how it will feel when the bed is gone, but then boom it is really gone and felt nothing at all to sleep on the floor. I did not miss it at all. In May, my favorite car was sold, I was surprised that I did not miss it as much as I would have thought. Then slowly our sofa, other furniture, TV and most of the garden tools are gone. The last thing to go was the fridge - of course that should have been the order. We let everything go so easily, so looked like the Chakra workshop was right. Today finally is the day, when the new owner of our house evicted us around 10 AM. It was creepy, I wanted to finish my tea, pack everything and go before even he showed up, but he showed before we did any of those things. As he sat, we took each of our items from kitchen soap to kitchen cups to bathroom soaps one by one. That was kind of pressure, and the result is; we have left some of our essential items. Did we let that go easy? Well it hurt to be homeless even though for few hours. And today is July the 4th and we have hotel booking from 2 PM onwards and we were not sure what to do from 10-2PM with milk and other easy to spoil items under the hot summer inside a hot car. We slowly moved with our full car to the hotel. There, they said the rooms are full, we hopped to another hotel and the same fate. Now, it really felt like we were homeless. Finally at about 12.30 PM we reached at a place where the hotel cost was significantly higher, but they had rooms. Finally we checked in. This is a 120 sq. ft room. and until10 AM today we were living in a 2400 sq ft house and now it is 20 times reduced space. How does it feel like? We feel shrunken and shoved in a small place. We are not devastated, but it feels strange. We still have to work on our let go part, to keep going with the ups and downs of life...

What is my blogging worth? Hmm may be a digital camera and a digital camcorder:))

I have been actively blogging for the last 6 years. Some of my posts have bigger hits than others, but that does not make the lesser viewed posts undesirable for me. My scientific blog is being actively used by researchers all over the world and it gives me immense fulfillment when I see someone saying my blog has helped them solving some problems. I also gain some points through ad sense, but that is very little. My personal blog adorns my random musings, some of them could be just random thoughts, some may be life events and some others may have some knowledge. Now more than anything, I feel like recording my life events through blogging, it serves a very appropriate sense of  purpose in addition to documentation of my own life and time.

What makes successful people stand out than the not-so- successful ones? I would say it is the lack of organizations, be it in thought, work or anything else. I feel blogging helps one to get slowly organized. From my point of view, I never give any event a lot of significance, unless it is really life changing. And after few months or years, I regret why I did not record that moment or take a picture. Now since I have started blogging, I give a thought to every moment and try  to record it by taking pictures. I may as well end up only blogging later part of my life - you never know. Ever since I have started blogging, I feel like taking pictures every now and then and as pictures speak thousand words. I know I am deviating from the topic that I originally had in mind before writing this post - hope constant blogging will help me get over this. All that I wanted to say today is what material benefits I have got since I have started cataloging my ideas? Quite a lot actually. I have got a digital camera a while ago, today I got a digital camcorder (I always wanted one - the one we have is a analogous one) and few months back I won an ipad3!!! As usual I never took picture of my digital camera but today I took picture of my digital camcorder and sharing it. I am just so overjoyed over receiving a digital camcorder through my blogging through Science Advisory Board. I had enough points to go for a Kindle or something similar, and I chose this toy. The earlier version I chose( that was in the catalogue), would run through external batteries, but they cited that, that particular item was out of stock and substituted that with this one. Lets see what it has:

1. Internal memory(I am yet to discover the quantity)
2. Wifi connection
3. PC/TV port
4. Digital picture taking.

I am so excited today. It just reached me in 3 days and guess what tomorrow we are leaving this home for good!!! So, the timming could not have been more perfect than this. Hope everyone take a cue from this and start doing what you truly believe in...

sambhar masala

Sambhar masala
3 spoons dhania
1 spoon zeera
1 table spoon tuor daal
1 table spoon chana dal
1/2 mustard seeds
2-3 red chillis
5 black pepper
15 methi seeds
1/2 cinamon
1/2 poppy seeds

Chole masala

Here is a nice Joke on Indian National Congress

sonia gandhi died and went to heaven. as she stood in front of saint peter at the pearly gates, she saw a huge wall of clocks behind him. she asked, "what are all those clocks?"

saint peter answered, "those are corruption-clocks. every organization on earth has a corruption-clock.
every time a member of organization does corruption, his/her organization clock will move.

"oh," said sonia, "whose clock is that?"

"that's salvtion army's. the hands have not moved indicating that they have done no corrupt act."

"and whose clock is that next to it?"

"that's nun teresa's missionary of charity's clock. the hands have only moved just a few notches telling us that they have done it a few times ."

"where's the congress clock?" sonia asked.

"congress clock is very special. in the old days of mahatma gandhi we used to keep here and it would not move. since your family took over we took it to jesus' office."

sonia, feling touched: really? why?

he's using it as a ceiling fan."