You cannot be lonely if you like the person you're alone with.
~Wayne Dyer
I like myself but not up to that extent where you can call me as a narcissist. But again, here it is a kind of “forced solitude”. From Kharagpur to Kolkata to Mumbai to California–every transition got its own challenges. But again “See and experience the world” is an inevitable reality. At some stage, you will get used to.
I am here for a short term assignment. Before landing in San Diego, my image of US was all about the skyscrapers, freeways, hustle and bustle of first world order (?). But I am surprised and for a change "pleasantly surprised".It is such a quaint and pleasing country side which is often described as the best city in US to settle down.
At first, the “Gulabi Thandi” – 15 to 21 degrees will definitely pamper you to the core. To the extent of someone accusing me that someone is blowing her trumpet, let me dare to say my cheeks turned out to be pinkerJ. Also, Golden sunshine, azure skies with cotton sprinkled clouds floating leisurely, fresh green shrubs and bushes dotted by occasional burst of colours from the seasonal flowers - Pansies, Daisies, Daffodils etc. A pleasant breeze is your constant companion and wide grey roads and nil pollution makes your walk an experience in itself.
Also, I have got a wonderful roommate with whom I share warm camaraderie!
Meera is as crazy and fun person as me so life is a bit easy. Also we proved to be excellent cooks and within the first week, Indian delicacies from our kitchen became quite a hit with all our Indian colleagues. Thank God, Americans never tried their luck and hence we are not deported! Rarely we have pizza, burgers etc, its "Ghar ka khana" on all days. But you would really fall in love with the deliciously soft donuts with a delicate jam filling, the iced cookies and ofcourse Hershely's dark chocolates.
When we came here, a few of our colleagues warned us that we might have to face racialism with people referring to us as brownies. But to our surprise wherever we went, heads turned and how! I can think not a single occurrence when we went on a trip and people didnt address us as "beautiful ladies". NO doubt we were floored, inf act we were under grounded with such spontaneous admiration which hardly came across back in India :)
Guys here are quite uninteresting, girls are very much fashion conscious and elegant. You would sometimes end up wondering why such a beautiful girl is dating such a shabby looking guy.:) The girls here have an amazing capability to carry themselves so well. They never ever look even a tad bit tired. They are always well groomed and fresh
Another noticeable thing over here is the cab system. They have interesting names - orange cab, silver cab, yellow cab and all the colours in the visible spectrum (blushing, the meaning of my name is also Spectra) is there as cabs ;P. People from all works of life are treated equally and they are so genuine and cordial you would love to talk even with a complete stranger.
This place is so special that within thirty minutes drive, you cross the border and can experience Mexico. (Remember movies like Babel, No Country for Old Men etc. where in Tijuana Border crossing is being shot). Also, 1.5 to 2 hours, you are in Los Angels, the entertainment capital of the world. Disney Land, Beverly Hills, Universal Studio Tour---- if you got the moolah, fun unlimitedis assured! For some alternate experience, you can explore Nevada to explore the Snow Mountains and Las Vegas(Na, I am a good girl and yet to explore Vegas). Also, if you are tired of city life, why not go and explore the Grand Canyon?
Ok – enough of the rosy side. I cannot afford to buy a car and with out car, your mobility is restricted. Also, the distance between each grocery shop is more than 30 minutes walk (which is good for your aerobic exercise). At times, if you have to rely on food from restaurant, you need to undergo a trial and error process to choose something which shall not hamper your taste buds. Tortilla is a poor substitute of Indian Breads, Twinkie is sweet but junk ---- better, you carry your snacks with you.
Contd..
