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More impressions about the US…a mild & pleasant shock

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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