WORLD OF TEACHERS

The lobby of Hotel Crowne Plaza was filled with WORLD of Teachers on morning July 31, 2007. It was a memorable incident to meet hundreds of teachers from all over the world, speaking different languages, with variety body languages, trying to make friends, knowing each other, etc., etc.

Some of them were staying in Crowne Plaza and some of them are in Holiday Inn (nearby Hotel). The breakfast, Lunch and Dinner were in Holiday Inn.

The Reception and other discussions were in Crowne Plaza. So we have to move from one hotel to another frequently. There were Hotel shuttles, but most of us prefer to walk across. It was fun to TRESPASS across the streets and crossing the roads every where without waiting or looking for traffic signals. After Lunch we had the Washington DC city tour. The Memorials, White House and some of the streets were seen by the Teachers and came back to Hotel to get ready for Reception Banquet at night.

It was 6:00 pm. All the Fulbright Teachers were gathering in Banquet Hall. It was a feast to eyes to see colourful dresses of various countries. My chin goes up by seeing the GLITTERING Indian Flag with USA Flag at the center of row of 'all country flags'. It was 'only to experience' moments. I took my photograph with Patrick, the flags being on our background. After the speaches and dinner we had a cultural show from the world of teachers. It was wonderful to see different dance forms or songs of their native culture. Our show was the BEST.

The Fulbright Commission (administered by International Institute, Graduate School, US Department of Agriculture and sponsored by Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, US Department of State) had well organized the Orientation Program.

It was informative and experts from various fields, oriented the participants (about one hundred International Teachers and same number of American Teachers) with lots of examples. They explained the Administrative matters, Art of cross cultures, Health Care, School system in USA, Behaviour of students in American Schools, Measures to take in handling the worst situation, etc. It was FUN-FILLED experience to everyone.

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SURPRISES

I was expecting surprises during the program, but I was not expecting the surprises surprise me from day one (July 30, 2007).

As I was taking rest in Crowne Plaza, door bell rings. A good looking person standing at the door said " HALO". I was thinking 'who is this?', then he once again said "NAMASTE". My memory started working very fast but got the recognition of Mr Patrick J Kaplo, very slowly. All this happened in fractions of a second. With a BIG surprise, I invited him into the room. I know that he was going to stay with me during the three day Orientation Program, since I preferred his name to share my Hotel Room.

After exchanging some light moments, we got ready for dinner at 6:00 pm. Another surprise, in USA the dinner will be at 6:00 pm. I surprised the Indian Teachers by introducing Patrick to all. Immediately questions pounced on him from all the directions and he had shown great patience in answering all of them in detail. And the dinner was another surprise, there were only LEAVES, BREAD, BUTTER, etc. He told us how to eat those LEAVES and we practised (because that is going to be our food all the time).

ON SKY STREETS

"Hellooww -- welcome" greeted the Lufthansa air-hostess and shown me the way to go in. Another hostess looked into my seat number and told me (in German accent) where can I find it. I kept my hand luggage in the cabin and checked my passport, VISA, immigration check, DS-2019 form, tickets, etc. in my BIG leather purse (which can fit in my blazer pocket) and settled in my seat. Even though I fly through domestic planes, there was an excitement in International airplane. Without any jerks, twists and turns the plane took-off and my journey had started smoothly. Looking out through the window, saying bye-bye, in mind, to the sleeping Hyderabad city , slowly leaned back on my seat.

After more than nine hours of flight at a maximum speed of 1000 km/h, on maximum height of 12,000 meters, the plane comes to rest in Frankfurt International Airport. The minimum outside temperature, while flight, was negative 72 degree Fahrenheit. Since there was a gap of more than four hours for my next journey and lost my colleague Mrs Fatima in transit from plane to airport, I moved around the big and beautiful airport and gone through the variety of shops. There were some light moments when I found Mrs Fatima along with other Fulbright Teachers, Mr Sasi Raj, Mrs Ranjini, Mrs Anubha and Mrs Sheela, from India.

It was wonderful to observe Jews offering prayers in airport lobby while giving some rest to my tired legs and giving some food to my hungry tummy. One hour before the scheduled time we had started our second phase of journey from Frankfurt to Washington DC. After eight hours of tiresome flight we landed on to the Great Land of USA in Dulles International Airport, Washington DC. The laziness had flown out by passing through long line and the Homeland Security - Customs Check. The tired body got rejuvenated by seeing Fulbright volunteers outside the airport. The Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program - 2007 had started officially, when I checked-in to the room number 426, Crowne Plaza, Old town, Alexandria, on Monday July 30, 2007.

DAY ZERO

After - the rigorous review of the list of items, the wonderful farewell by the Principal and staff of Kendriya Vidyalaya Tirumalagiri and students of XII Sci and IX class, the packing of items and checking their weight, calling on the parents, relatives, friends and neighbours - I was completely BLANK on the DAY ZERO - the day I have to start my adventure. I was upset - emotionally, physically and psychologically. Everything appears to be messy. A sort of uneasiness in heart. So many questions in mind. Excitement for new experience on one side and thought of leaving my family for long on the other side. It was DAY ZERO.

I was touched emotionally when I loaded my luggage in AUTO to go to AIRPORT, I was having no words to members of my family, I could not look into their eyes, being a man I can't show my emotions, I have to control me all by myself, AUTO runs on tears! - It was DAY ZERO.

My heart solidified when my eyes were searching for some one known at the airport and found none. I cursed myself for telling all not to come to airport, but it was good, which stops me from breaking. Mechanically Checked-in, tried to talk with members of my family but the phones were not working - It was DAY ZERO.

Waiting at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, Meeting the other Exchange Teacher - Mrs Fatima, Getting into Lufthansa plane, drinking and eating the things served by air-hostess at 02:00 am on 38,000 feet high, moving with the speed of 1000 km/h, trying to sleep for some time but in vain - It was DAY ZERO.