Diwali...

I visited one more time to pay gratitude to Sir, the following day after Dhanteras. Then I was handling office as Dad had some work. It was a quite day. I wanted to meet few friends, but time didn't permit. Finally the big day came-It was Diwali, the biggest hindu festival in India. It is also called as the festival of lights. It spiritually signifies victory of light over darkness. It was the day, I finally revealed to a friend that I was in Indore, no more surprises. Obviously, I wanted to meet, but friend agreed just for a look. Then in evening, Dad called a priest to perform Diwali worship. My cousins also joined the party. It is a festival where entire family regroups. I must say, it was Diwali, I was at home, but something was missing this time. The joy of festival was missing and everyone was feeling that. May be the time was not correct or the situation. Once the worship was complete. we had fireworks for the sake of it. All of us had little conversation and then went home to have a good night's sleep.

Tough Times

D as in Dhanteras

Not my flight

There were lot of things going on in my life and to calm them down, I planned to visit my hometown at Diwali time. It was costly, but I must say, it's a perfect time to be at home. You get to meet relatives, eat a lot, I mean a lot. I pre planned two and half months before and prepared everything for the trip. Airline was booked. Purchased lots of gifts for friends and family. Everything was set. I was super excited to meet everyone. I even kept this secret for a long time. 

Finally the day came. I took a flight from Chicago to Germany to Mumbai and finally to Indore. I must say, it was a long flight. It took 10 hours for 1st, then a gap of 6 hours, then 8 hours flight, then 6 hours gap and finally one and half hour flight. Total around 30 hours. I have never been worried about long flights and could not be this time too, as it was special.

As I reached Germany, there was an October fest going on. Don't know more than this. I tried some chocolates and then passed through security to reach my gate for flight to Mumbai. It was a weird airport, I had to pass through security even when I was just passing through from one flight to another, senseless. As there was long time, I tried to get some sleep, but didn't got any. If you are awake, you feel hungry, but there was only one coffee shop and nothing to eat, Bad luck. Next I reached Mumbai around 2 AM and my Indore flight was around 8, again I tried to get some sleep, didn't got any. I must say, it was a tiring trip. 

I never call/expect anyone to receive me at the airport as I don't want to waste anyone's time and money, just to come there. Also my bag is so big that it's difficult to accommodate in activa and my close ones does not have a car. 

I got out of airport and taxi people started coming towards me with various options. I knew how much it is required, hence I kept on walking, ignoring everyone. One auto rickshaw driver gave me a good deal by himself. I came along with him without any bargain. I asked driver on the way for such a good deal. He said, "he thought we are going to a nearby are" I paid him 10 bucks extra for his honesty. My mum received me and was more than happy to see me. Father came down to meet me and then started talking about my trip and everything else. As we were having conversation, Bigdad called to check on my arrival.

I was informed of a personal loss, the same day I landed. So, I finished my lunch and visited his place for the funeral. He was a Teacher, a friend, a guardian for me. Then I came back home and got ready to worship, as it was a festival day-Dhanteras. As the day passed, I spoke with parents and finally went to sleep.

Sharing my LA Story

I started the second day with light snack at the motel. Then I visited office to complete rest of transition. It was easy as it was half-a-day. Once the office was over, I had nice lunch in CPK (California Pizza Kitchen) in Brea Mall.

Then I started visiting beaches. I was informed that they are beautiful. I guess, it wasn't the right time to be beautiful. Still they were good, but kind of OK. There were few people hanging here and there that's it-no crowd at all. I visited lot of beaches and took a scenic Pacific Coast highway no.1-Supposed to be a good drive.

I kept Venice beach (a beach with lots of activities) in the last as it was near to LA. I was about to reach there and at the last moment, got an unexpected call. I had to park my car in Starbucks and attend it. Once the call was over, I tried to visit Venice, but Sun came down and it was over. As I had already checked out of last hotel (in Brea) in morning and I was visiting all the beaches, I had to change in my car itself. When I checked in to hotel in LA, it seemed like I was living in my car. I had all the stuff in my hand and it was scattered all over.

I was feeling hungry, so planned to visit a nearby restaurant. A blue guy came over there behind me and asked for food. I felt pity and got him a burger. He took off after taking it and I felt safer. Then I ate my dinner and came back to hotel. It was a nice and cheap hotel as per LA. 

Last not the least day of my visit was to cover entire LA. I know sounds crazy, still I pulled it off in my way which is the only way.

I started off with Griffith Observatory. Perfect place to take a picture with Hollywood sign without even going near to it. 

Then visited Hollywood walk of fame-A crazy place. A place where you can find names of all the personalities of America. In the last, I checked out Universal studios. I didn't entered inside as it would have been time/money consuming and I was alone. Still, I took an outside tour. After completing everything, I checked out beetle and took a shuttle to airport. I planned it so perfect that there was a lot of time left before my flight. Next morning, I was in Chicago.