Random ramblings

Too long since I posted so I thought a few lines are due from me. The post has to stay alive you see.

Lot has changed since the last time. I am married now, work in a 100 year company, have a house for which I pay rent, have a car again, eat a lot more than before, sleep a lot less than before.....

Some things remain the same though such as monotony of work, lousy hindi movies, anger at having done MBA, desire for a long break in himalayas, want to play badminton and win a few games.....

As you grow up in life, I think the things which remain the same have a lot of qualifiers such as 'Want', Wish, 'Desire','Love' added to it.

Best of US

This is a quick blog on some of the experiences I had in US this time -

Best experiences

a) Chicago : The city is wonderful - small, lively but never ending. Put some sun in there and it will give NY a run for its money.

b) Amtrak: American trains are not as good as Indian trains for experiencing the scenery but they are not bad at all. Amtrak runs a fairly service (wherever it runs), the crew are friendly, the food isn't that expensive and overall you will have fun.

c) Erie PA: This small town on lake Erie was one of the best experiences. Landing here on a sunny Sunday morning for a 2 hour break on my greyhound, the walk in the town amidst the old buildings, the beautiful lakes with the piers & the harbor with the boats, the small Irish tavern with the lingering smell of coffee. Just amazing.

d) Sears tower: The view not as good as Empire state - the glass balcony gives you the kick which makes you enjoy the place. Stand on the balcony and leave - nothing else here.

e) Chicago museums: Awesome simply awesome. The science museums, the shedd aquarium and the museum of natural history make you long for more - a day & 100 USD are not enough for them. Skip the field museum & Adler planetarium : you can't relate to it.

f) Cubs: Chicago's only lovable losers - the baseball team of the city which apparently has never won MLB.

g) Maid of the mist: This is the only-do at Niagara. The best experience ever. Standing there in the middle of the thundering water gives you goosebumps. You forget everything else standing in that inferno of water. The nature park around Niagara is worth visiting too.

h) Thunderstorms: The thunderstorms in US are the best. In 2 hours, the weather on a sunny day changes to pitch black scaring the wits out of you. Watch the movie Tornado alley in IMAX format and you will realize the power of these thunderstorms.

i) Spring: The change of colors, the variety of flowers, the green lush forests (especially as on the road from Buffalo to Cleveland) leaves you mesmerized.

Things missed

a) Rock & roll museum : To visit Cleveland and miss this place is considered sacrilege for every R&R fan. If you are a Floyd fan, you miss more.

b) Niagara: The more time spent away from the water, you miss more. The visit behind the falls etc on Canadian side makes you want to get a CAD visa for sure.

c) Isle Royale : An Island in the middle of lake Superior far away from any major urban settlement - it was my adventure waiting. Lack of transportation options took this adventure away from me.

d) US military: Had an option to visit a submarine in Cleveland, a WWII ship in Philly and another US submarine in SFO. None of them happened.

e) San Francisco: Dreams of visiting the downtown again and visit Pier-39 and Muir woods. Didn't happen. But yes family is more important.

Things left alone

a) Buffalo: Not a place to visit -Period. Nothing to see, spooky city, nothing to eat except for steak - give it a miss totally.

b) Field museum: If you are not an American, better stay away.

c) Philadelphia: BORING ! Again, if you are not American, you will see nothing of worth in downtown.

d) Malls: Every mall is like another. Big, same stores, all expensive - go, ogle and walk out.

e) Indian restaurants: Worthless. Enough said.

f) Cable TV: Nothing you will relate to except for the movies on HBO once in a while.