MY EXPERIMENTS WITH FOOD

Mr Joe Kaplo received me from Manchester Airport on August 23 evening and dropped me at Patrick’s home. I was just sitting in the couch and looking at the house. I was completely in dilemma to start with. I was not in a mood to start any thing. I was getting bored of the loneliness. (I like loneliness, but not this kinda (kind of)). I love to be alone but in the group (interesting character!!??!!). I had boxed food from my brother’s home, sufficient for two days. I slept without thinking any thing more for that night, after speaking with my wife and children, online.

The next day morning, (Friday, Aug 24) Mr Joe Kaplo came again to pick me up to go to Liberty Mutual, the car insurance office. Since my brother already made the base and the documents were readymade by Patrick, it was a cake-walk for me. I was happy that I can drive a car all by myself, in USA. Saturday, I dared to take out my car on to the roads of Manchester. Initially I was finding it bit difficult, but got quickly used to the slow traffic, sign boards, flow of traffic, white and yellow lines on the roads, traffic symbols, etc. I was patting my back that I was driving perfectly. It was a great day.

I was not feeling hungry since my heart was filled with joy. I thanked once again everyone, who made it possible for me. But body can’t wait for more time without food, I got to go ‘Shop & Stop’, get some vegetables, etc., to start my cooking!! Through some guided directions, from my wife and my brother’s wife, I could able to make all sorts of Indian dishes (Rava Upma, Atukula Upma, Borugula Upma, Mirchi Bajji, Aloo Bajji, Arati Bajji, Dosa, Utappam, Smoodles, Pav-Bhaaji, Chapati, Poori, Bisibella Bath, Pulav, Vangi Bath, Sambar, Pappu, Cabbage/Cauliflower/Tomato/Aloo Curry, etc., etc., etc.) during my stay, to my satisfaction. Some of them I tried FIRST time. I could make puffy POORIs but even after several trials I couldn't make circular CHAPATIs. I enjoyed cooking and eating too.
One day I did a funky job in cooking. I purchased ‘Golden layer Honey Butter flaky Biscuits’. The pack was cylindrical and I thought there will be circular flaky honey biscuits inside. After coming back to home and opened the pack as per directions, BOOOP, it opened with big sound and layers of soft dough came out. For a moment I shocked and I realized that I made a mistake. I understood why the people stop every where in the stores and spend lot of time in reading the instructions on the packets. Carefully I took out all of them separated them on a plate and started reading the instructions on the pack. I found it was a big lengthy process to get Golden layer honey butter flaky biscuits. Then I started learning how to operate baking oven, baked the biscuits and enjoyed the brown, solid, no butter, no honey, no shape, tough biscuits. It was FUN at the end.

HAPPY MARRIED LIFE – My Dear Brother

As I landed in Newark International Airport, I got a phone call from my brother to come out towards Baggage Collection. I had gone out and standing on the stands for his reception. Another SURPRISE, people can go till the Security Check-In area, in all USA airports. He was up there and I was down. After skipping some phone calls, because both of us were trying to contact each other, finally I made it. I was excited on seeing him, feel like some one close to me, felt very happy. The happiness was doubled when we reach HOME. The kids were waiting out, for my arrival, with flowers, to surprise me. I was hiding behind the car to surprise them. After Hide & Seek, it was all FUN. I can’t forget those fifteen days, running very quickly, spent with my brother, his family and my nephew, who came from Penn State College to add more FUN.

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I can’t forget the enjoyment, in going to nearest Railway station in LUNGI to receive my nephew, driving on New Jersey roads under the controlled directions from my brother, getting certificate of appreciation from the kids “Peddappa (Older brother of Father) knows driving and drives well”, playing cricket and shuttle badminton in the back yard, teasing the kids with Indian accent, watering the plants, visiting Lord Venkateshwara Temple, meeting another nephew (his wife & their small baby) who settled in nearby place, etc.

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We had celebrated the Wedding Anniversary of my brother Mr T V K Murthy with Mrs Radhika Murthy on wonderful twilight of August 10, 2007. We all had lots of entertainment while going to NIAGARA FALLS. The view of falls was multi-hued in the nights and stunning in day time. Walking through ‘Cave of Winds’ and getting under the falls, jump aboard the ‘Maid of Mist’ to see how both American and Canadian Falls look like from the bottom up, were incredible.

We all had lots of amusement by visiting Wild Safari (drive-thru Animal Park), Hurricane Harbor (Water Park) and Rides (variety of Roller-Coasters) at Six-Flags Great Adventure Theme Park in Jackson Township, New Jersey.

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The First-time experience of Roller-Coasters is the real fun in my life. We had seen the world’s tallest and fastest Roller-Coaster ‘KINGDA KA’.

CLICK HERE TO SEE NEWYORK CITY

It was amazing to feel like ‘superman’ on Roller-Coasters. Visiting ‘Statue of Liberty’ in New York City and moving on the roads by ‘Circular Line’ Open-Top-Buses is incredible.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO OF STATUE OF LIBERTY

CLICK HERE TO SEE WORLD'S TALLEST & FASTEST ROLLER-COASTER

CLICK HERE TO SEE NIAGARA FALLS VIDEO CLIP

After a reverberated start of my adventure in USA with Patrick and my relatives, I came back to Manchester to settle in, before I can have some more adventure with the staff and students of CHS (Campbell High School).

AUF WEIDERSEIN, ADIEU, GOOD BYE

It was August 07, 2007. I was fuming over the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program. I was not able to understand whether the program is to make the people get together to be acquainted with or to break up them before they know each other. I met a person just six days ago. We didn’t move around to match our steps. We didn’t sit together to match our vision. Together, we didn’t met people to mix our body language. And all of a sudden it (the program) says to bid adieu, make auf weidersein and say good bye. We didn’t know whether we meet again in future. We were consoling ourselves that the world is small and we meet again (of course later both of us found that the world is too BIG and still confident to meet again).

The person is none other than Mr Patrick J Kaplo. First time when I got an email from Patrick, I was flying with joy that the exchange is taking place and I had been given a chance, by Fulbright, to experience the America. We spoke over phone several times and discussed issues related to our exchange, our education systems, our living standards, etc. We exchanged oodles of information through e-mails. We were in touch, though remote.

We cemented our friendship and promised to continue this for life. Patrick was generous enough to offer his home for my stay in America during this program. He planned everything for smooth running of my exchange with him. (His parents, Staff of Campbell High School, people around and students are more openhanded than he was expecting.) It is magnificent to have exchange with him. I wished them good luck and happy times with India (they have to board flight on the same day from Boston to go to India). I bid adieu with a big hug, good bye to Jessie and kids. We were going to miss each other. I tried to keep the tears from my eyes, waving hands from the car window, while going to airport, to my brother’s place, New Jersey.

AUF WEIDERSEIN!!!

CAMPBELL HIGH SCHOOL

That was Monday, Aug 06, 2007. I was feeling some excitement in me, as I got up in the morning. It wasn't due to excited trip to Boston, last day It wasn't due to seeing the Baseball game between Patrick and Evan in his living room with some commentary added to their play. Soon I found it is due to first time visit to MY school, Campbell High School, where I am going to work for FOUR months. Patrick and me took some oat meal with milk for our breakfast and got ourselves ready to GO.

First we went to DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) Office in Manchester and got MY CAR's Licence Plates. Patrick bought a Volks Wagon Jetta for me to commute to School daily. There is no Public Transportation in that route. The papers were made very much ready by Patrick before I arrive in US, so we didn't spend much time in DMV office. The License plates are for me, not for my car. No permanent number for a car. For the same vehicle, different owners have different number plates (Its different from Indian system - Surprising??!! - me too).

Then we went to 2, Wall Street, Manchester, NH. Patrick told me how to park a car and display the parking ticket in the car, so that we won't get parking ticket (in the form of PENALTY) from Police Officer. We had seen BOOTING the CAR (If you don't pay the Parking Penalty then your car will be BOOTed by Police, whenever they find it on the parking lot. You can't move your car until the heavy penalty is paid). On 2, Wall Street we were waiting till the Social Security Office gets OPEN. We applied for my SSN (Social Security Number - Very important in USA) in no time. We were very happy that the scheduled works were getting completed very quickly and on time. We were not knowing that we made a mistake, by applying for my SSN (During our Orientation Program in DC it had been informed to us not to apply before Aug 16, but we did. What happened? - wait for that info).

Our Toyota Corolla (Patrick's Car) had moved towards Litchfield. Within 30 minutes we were in Campbell High School. On the way, Patrick was reminding me not to drive like the way he drove on the roads. He stamped himself as Fast Driver (I was happy that he was not a RASH driver!!). He had shown me how to use electronic key to open the doors of the school (Surprising!! - Lots of security - you might be remembering the incidences happened in the past in American Schools).

Patrick was greeting people on the way to Physics Department, introducing me to them. They were asking SOME thing , which I couldn't follow. I was looking at Patrick's face and he was looking at my face (with his hands on his chin) for the answer. Then I understood that I was not concentrating on their conversation, and they were asking ME!. With a blurry smile I could ask Patrick "What is that?". Then he asked me again, which I could answer. Immediately I decided to concentrate on the things happening around me (But how is it possible when the things are happening so quickly? It was an embarrassing time for me). Even though you are very good at English, it is difficult to follow the American Accent (they have different dialects at different locations of USA).

We met The Human resource Officer - Deb Mahony, School District Superintendent - Cathy Hamblett, New Principal - Robert C Manseau and Assistant Principal - Laura Rothhaus of the School, some of the Office staff, Maintenance staff, few teachers, on the way to Physics Lab/Class room. Bob the Principal, handed over a welcome gift, on behalf of the Office, CHS. It was a big surprise. The welcome gift consists of a bamboo basket with 'McLure's pure Maple Syrup and some Direction Maps, along with a BIG Fruit Basket.

Patrick explained me the strategy he adopts while teaching physics, the way he explains some of the Physics concepts and the precautions I have to take care of while teaching. To be sincere, I was not listening him with concentration, I was just amazed of the technology they use in the classroom and bring the physics closer to children. I was amazed with the practicality of Patrick, bringing everything in to the classroom to make it more interesting. I felt my self proud of Patrick and Fulbright Commission for giving me this opportunity. My mind was just flying high to make most possible from this classroom (I was not knowing that how difficult it is, unless start making use of them in real-time classroom situation).

After spending about two hours we were feeling hungry. We went to nearby food stall, bought some food and took our lunch in Staff Room along with few staff members (Of course the same embarrassing situation, in following them). Later, some more time we spent in Lab/Classroom and started moving towards Home. I was happy to relax, after hectic day.

But without stopping at home, Patrick took me directly to Bank of America, to open Regular Checking Bank Account on my Name. The Bank Person is Mr Ravinder, an Indian from Chandigarh. We got no problem in opening an account. He was generous enough to provide a temporary ATM/DEBIT card with few check leaves. Both of us were very happy that all the works were completed in ONE day and we can relax tomorrow and pack-up for the LONG TOUR.

IT WAS A LONG DAY (of course it is the long post).

FREEDOM TRAIL

Boston is the most accessible city in New England, due to its size and its reputation as a walking city.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT BOSTON

It is one of America's first historic walking tours-The Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail Foundation continues to work to preserve this perfect introduction to Colonial Revolutionary Boston. The Trail takes visitors to 16 historical sites in the course of two or three hours and covers two and a half centuries of America's most significant past. A red brick or painted line connects the sites on the Trail and serves as a guide. Since the past and the present live alongside the Trail, visitor gets the opportunity to see the City as it truly is.

New England is the part of USA comprises SIX states, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Maine is the biggest state in New England region and Boston is the capital city of Massachusetts, located 42.336N, 71.017W. Not only the Freedom Trail, but also Museum of Science, Duck tour, Museum of Fine Arts, Faneuil Hall, Public Garden, New England Aquarium Whale Watch, Beacon Hill, New England Holocaust Memorial, Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum, City Hall, Boston College (University) and last but not the least THE FEN WAY PARK are some of the places out of 131 to visit in Boston.

Early morning of Aug 05, 2007, we (Patrick & his family and me) had started our journey to the great historic city, BOSTON.

It was exciting and breathe taking trip. We enjoyed the walking through Freedom Trail, eating FELAFEL and had a wonderful-spellbound experience of movie “The Grand Canyon” in I-MAX Cinema Hall. I found a lot of difference between the Indian I-Max theater and this one. The screen is parabolic and gets you into the scene directly. One has to experience that, no words to explain.

We could not make the ‘DUCK-TOURS’. I can never forget walking half of the TRAILS with the part of bottom layer of shoe-soul came out, making some typical sound and I removed it completely and kept in my pocket!!

On the way we had gone through Sant' Agrippina's procession. The large part of Boston is of Italians, Chinese and Indians.

CLICK HERE TO SEE SLIDE SHOW OF OUR VISIT 2 BOSTON

LIVING TOWN

After FUN-FILLED experience in Orientation Program at Washington DC, I had started my journey further to my living place, Manchester, New Hampshire (state), USA by United Airlines on August 03, 2007. Mr Joe Kaplo, Father of Mr Patrick J Kaplo, received me at the Manchester Airport. We had spent some time in moving around the airport, picked up the luggage and waiting for arrival of Patrick. (The last day of the Orientation Program at Washington DC, Patrick went for his VISA stamping in Indian Embassy)

As we were moving out of airport area, surprises galore me through technically advanced people around. Calm and quiet atmosphere, well built houses with beautiful lawn around them, maintained roads, less traffic on roads were some of the spellbound scenaries on the way to Patrick's home. A warm welcome by Mrs Jessica Kaplo (Jessie), best-half of Patrick, Mrs Rita kaplo, best-half of Mr Joe Kaplo, delighted me and make me to feel like home. In short time we all landed in INDIA PALACE - restaurant, and had tasty Indian Food, for which I was waiting for FOUR days.

Next day Patrick and me gone through the Manchester roads and shops, brought few necessary things required for evening 'get-together', to mark my presence among the staff and neighbourhood. No words to express their affection to welcome me and take care of me during my stay in Manchester. It was my first adventurous evening in my life.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SLIDE SHOW