A week already

Well, have already spent a week here. Mixed bag actually.

Reached here on Sunday (23rd July) evening 7 PM and it wasnt dark at all. Sanjeev was at the Dallas FW airport to pick us up. Sanjeev's wife was also traveling, in the same flight and boy was he glad to see her ! :)

The first few things that hit me about US, is... customer service, the Texas heat, broad open spaces, and the sheer independence.

Yes, on many occasions, I will keep comparing things here with the way its done back home. Thats natural, isnt it.

Here, the folks behind the counter make you feel like a king! Lacks a lot in India, except in high end restaurants or shopping malls. Next, there are no people stamping on each others shoes. Theres so much open space, that sometimes its hard to find people. For a Mumbaite, this is a wierd, uncomfortable phenomenon. We are so used to forcibly sniffing others armpits in our local trains....not finding a single soul for miles is too unnatural! :) Yesterday, I went to a WAL MART store(we had read so much about retailing in our MBA classes, and WM was a favorite example, that i was very excited to visit the store). IT WAS HUGE! Probably our VT station in Mumbai was as huge! And i could see, folks loading their pickup trucks with probably a months supplies.....

Heat was ok.. For me, the west was always a cold place. I was well aware that it is summer season here, but never thought that summer here was as bad or as good as Mumbai.

And yes, no bus, no train, only cars. No folks manning the petrol station (yes yes, its gas here)...all do it yourself culture.

Anuj, my project mate and an Infoscion, visited and invited me to his place for dinner. His wife and mother had joined him recently. His house did give an impression that he is quite settled here! After 23 hrs of being airborne (Mbai to Paris, Paris to Atlanta, Atlanta to Dallas and Dallas to Plano by road), edible home made indian food was a welcome respite.

Last time when I was in Hong Kong, for nearly three monhts, I learnt one important lesson. Whenever you travel abroad, and intend to stay there for long, do remember to take the HAWKINS pressure cooker along ! A lifesaver...:) I had erred in HK, not this time. I was ready with my arsenal...All essentials like the Indian Masala, Spices, Pressure Cooker, Medicines, were well packed.

Monday, and my first day at work. Our client's workplace is not far from our apartment block. Anuj picked me up from my house (i had a minor bike accident in India a weeek before I left...Was limping and still have a sore hand) and reached office in 15 mins. The client knew me well as I was working in Pune for the same project for six months. My job was much easy here...Didnt have to make a good first impression !! :) Within 30 mins, My desk wass setup, my laptop allocated and security badge ready, and I was raring to go. Only for a small hiccup...Jet Lag !

It was noon, when i started to feel the effects of a mundane 23 hr journey. I was so sleepy ( i hadnt slept well the night before), that I had to throw water on my face on more than one occasion. I guess everyone at the workplace knew (most of my colleagues would have faced this too). The client didnt discuss many project related activities either!:)

By wednesday, the Jet Lag was almost gone. I also got busy taking care of some personal stuff, like getting a bank account opened. It was so easy. At WELLS FARGO, the service was so quick, that within 15 mins my account was ready. They made it so simple, even for an alien (any NON US Citizen, is an alien!!). No snide remarks, no suspicious glances (they are so used to Indian IT folks now).....Go to an SBI branch in India and you will spend the first 15 mins in queue!

One interesting point...Rutwik (one of my project mates) was kind enough to take me to Wells Fargo (in his car). The first thing the gentleman at the counter asked was 'Do you want to open a joint account?'. And thats when I was 100 % sure that I had arrived in the US!! :) The GAY WORLD does exist here...and probably a lot of gay men do walk into banks to open a joint account! A small chuckle from me (i was offended though) and a reply 'NO' was good enough to start the process...

Next week, I need to get my SSN and initiate the process for a DL. Moree later....

Will post photos...soon

Luv
~Prakash