Shippin up to Boston!

So it finally happened. 28 years of my life packed in 3 cases of 23 kgs each landing at JFK around 14.30 hrs local time. The feeling of having left home hasn't sunk in yet. Got all 3 bags checked in on Jet and even on the surprisingly welcoming AA airlines without any baggage charge. The flight in from Brussels was delayed a couple of hours, so after immigrations and security - I had about an hour before boarding my flight to Boston.

The first USDs i spent here were 5$ on a frikkin cart for the bags. I had my blonde moment tugging at the cart when I realized you had to insert coins or swipe a card to release it. Very bright of me not getting any $ along. Thankfully the jet credit card came through. Phew! Found a travelex and exchanged whatever little money i had at a ridiculous 58 Rs to a $ rate to get about 50 odd dollars. Should bide me a couple of days i guess. Walked through to my gate and passed by many shops. Some really tasty food places here. Slurp! Didn't grab a bite though. Visited this Hudson news store and picked up this Yankees shot glass. Kind of a memory of my first purchase as an employee in the US. That is if you exclude the utter waste of 5$ on that damned cart.

Immigration and security was fairly comfortable. I was handed this priority pass that let me breeze through both Met this immigrations officer woman who asked me 'do you know how many days is your work visa valid?' I said a little under 3 years. And she was like it's 1082 days. 'my brain just comes up with these numbers!'. I thanked her and complimented her ability (of reading a number off her screen I guess). The security guy was this Indian called Sunil. And he asked me if I was named after tendulkar? I said I wish I was. Which is when he pointed to his badge that said Sunil. :)

I was typing this on my networkless iphone waiting for my flight to Boston. Flight to Boston got delayed further, tried calling Amit from a pay phone and got through to his answering machine. Wonder how often people check answering machines. Do they send off alerts as well?

So i parked myself near the AA counter to get updates on the flight status. There was this big caucasian woman sitting beside me at the waiting lounge speaking with such candor over the phone. She looks like Totoro with blonde hair. Absolutely no contours at all from her boobs till her knees. She's apparently met this woman called Genele who's been in cosmetics for 20 years, wears a skull and cross bones charm around her neck - and is the nicest person she's met in her life. And the company she's about to work for is growing at such a fast rate - it's obscene. Oh my gaash!! Btw, it's been more than an hour and she doesn't even seem to be winding down the conversation. Wonder how many calories does speaking burn a minute.

People here are quite vocal, and surprisingly loud. They communicate so much more than Indians in a talking minute. It's probably 'cos they talk faster. They're also quite trusting. Probably a lesson to learn there.

Saw this funny cola dispenser at Brussels airport. 'Coke side of Brussels' Really?