The jetlag dragged too long after
visiting the US, partly genuine, partly lethargic whereby I had to post another
piece on ”Abuses”. Okay back on the track to rewind about my trip that lasted
hardly a month.
The fifteen hour flight drilled a
mighty block on the mind. Our focus was on how to reach the Delta Terminal when
shoulders dropped and my face fell. Then out of nowhere came Ms X, can’t recall
her name, who would be the next attendant to wheel out my husband on to the
Delta flight.
Today I can recall that cute
face, who hails from Togo (West Africa). This part of Africa is lately in the news,
due to the deadly Ebola virus. Ms X handled her job well and spoke of her
family (a little son and her old mother) who depended on her income. She lives
alone in New York & works here for a livelihood. Her job of leaving us at
the terminal ended well when she very gladly accepted the tip we offered her. I
queried “ How much would a meal cost in the city?”, She said $5 at least. But
she did not fail to pack sandwiches to work whenever be the hour of work. Then
she added that she would save the tips received for the day to indulge in small
luxuries like gifts to take to Togo. Young women who live thousands of miles
away from homeland just to earn a livelihood is no strange instance for Indian
women too.
It was a pleasant stay at
Cobblestone, Raleigh. Far from the noise and people. The houses here resembled
those small cottages built on the plantation area. They all looked similar in
structure except for the individual taste in painting the houses in different
shades. Each house separated from the other by lawns (well mowed) and a narrow
driveway that can park three cars at a time. We stayed at my brother-in-law’s
house in Cobblestone. The man works at a Corporate through the week and is a
stickler at gardening. The flowers that ornated the lawn were daisies, pansies,
roses, purple lilies and red flowers on the myrtle tree that get blown even
with the gentle whiff.
WAKE
FOREST - Enlightens
The silent cluster of houses
could let your imagination go free not wild due to a typical European aura that
hangs here. Residents gloat about Wake forest that houses hundreds of Oak trees
making this area a carpenter’s paradise. But the area also places the Wake Tech
University that stands out quite elegant in the area. The campus caters to very
well-behaved students out here. Smoking, drugs and guns are disallowed in the
campus quite apparently sanitized. There seems to be a multi-national mixture
of students here who prefer to conceal their nationality by dressing like
Americans, they talk less to hide their identity. I saw it as pertinent as when
in Rome do as the Romans do.
The University offers an array of
subjects and a student can choose from the prescribed list. His interest can
swing from biology to history to
electronics to cuisine. The best part is the semester system which will test
you only on the books prescribed. The lengthy syllabus along with the books are available at the
University .If the student flunked he can change his subjects in the next
semester. But the syllabus will change in case he sticks to the earlier choice.This
makes it mandatory for the student to get through the exams---Good system,
where the students and counselors are kept busy and students who are
disinclined to be serious about studies will drop out. In case they are
inclined to continue but fiscal constraints stop them ,then they look out for
jobs to earn and pay their fees. Now
you know why the youth in the US are also busy in making the wheels of the
economy move.
WINSTON-The
cat belongs to the house
Oh now you know how domesticated
cats are?
Like many families drift apart
due to work, relationships or marital convenience--- an emotional vacuum
entails, so also here. That vacuum is filled by an animal (a pet) who by
universal law is always loyal. But Winston was a refugee rescued by Srinath
(b-i-l)’s family on a rainy night .A tomcat, no doubt but lacking vile
characteristics
like clawing, mewing louder to
get attention and chasing tabbycats (?).May be the domestic and obligatory
status helped him earn a place in everybody’s heart. Moreover in America it is
different, if you are found ill-treating any animal the Animal care people will
get to your throat.So Winston is treated
like a lord who entered and left the house at will.He will remind you always
when the cat food ran out.
“PANERA
Bread” outlets endear the locals.
Panera is a bread outlet that is
found at all leading malls and is busy spreading clientele in North Carolina.
Besides bread the eatery also serves snacks and soup that differ from the other
eateries. The seats are comfortable and a relaxed atmosphere prevails unlike
other fast food joints .The malls I visited were Macy’s , Walmart, Target, Crabtree
mall, Food lion and of course the Patel mall. If your wallet is loaded shopping
is a delight or window shopping is recommended to kill time.
What did I eat during my stay
will bring tears of joy to you---Await my next blog post!!!
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