US@May 2009 - Reminiscent of past

May 6, 2009 , Kathmandu
After traveling from all the way from Katmandu to St. Louis via Delhi-London-Dallas, it was exhilarating but a long and hectic flight with so many hassles of security checks and stop over. Delhi airport was crowded with many peoples lying in floors desperately waiting for their flight showing empathy of poor management of space by airport officials. We have to wait more than 7 hours to catch our connecting flights to Heathrow. It was wonderful moment when we start chatting with some of the Nepalese who were also bound to US but via different route. Conversely, stranded passengers waiting for more than a day to leave for Libya was pathetic. I had a good time with new friend Prakash who was leaving to Baltimore.
May 7, 2009 Heathrow international Airport, London
Security check of Heathrow sounds much more hectic as each individual has to queue and needs to put their liquids in a plastic bag before passing through the X-ray doors. But Heathrow airport was wonderful with so many terminals and wide spaces along with marvelous duty free shops. However, the internet is so expensive compared to freely accessible services internet in Hong Kong and Seoul airport. Finally we made our way towards Dallas via another British Airways flight after waiting couple of hours in huge terminal 5. Once we arrived at Dallas Airport, we have to start looking at American Airlines flight to St. Louis. The airport was very big and spacious. Finally after flying couple of hours, we arrived at St. Louis Airport. We had to wait for a long before shashi arrived to pick up. Then we went to one of the motel in St. Louis where shashi ordered a pizza and slept voraciously as we were so tired and exhausted.

May 8, 2009 St.Louis MO
Then the other morning we had delicious coffee and were preparing to leave for Anna in Illinois where marriage ceremony was offing. Amit was there for driving us all the way to Carbondale. Being the unlucky chap we were caught in traffic and the power failure even in US due to the terrible storm in southern Illinois. Most of the gas stations were shut down due to the power failure. Thanks for ladies who helped us to make delicious rice that we ate voraciously after two days of hectic travel at southern hills in SIU.

May 8, 2009 Woodland’s Retreat Cabin, Makanda IL
Finally we arrived at Anna where nice cabins with enough space, water, television, utensils and more importantly very natural built completely by woods were arranged by the Shashi and Katy. The place was awesome. Thanks to kabir for joining us that night and making it more memorable like a small katunje VDC of Nepal.
Deepesh did a wonderful job, he drove with his mom all the way from Nebraska to attend the marriage ceremony of his brother. The wedding rehearsal party in Anna was great with little kids doing fun and we were busy socializing with our new family members. Thanks for chuck and Linda for managing all those stuffs and giving us an ample opportunity to share the memorable time. JJ is great guy but I suppose he needs to eat more otherwise he will end up like me.

May 10, 2009 Anna IL
The wedding day was absolutely exhilarating. It was the fusion between the east and west. The melody behind the cotton was looming our ear drum so we feel emotional, happy and excited. The bride and bridegroom were eventually there and chanting of facilitator reminded me watching the discovery channel talking much about wildlife and forestry. The chap did a great job. The photo session was great; still we are waiting to see the professional photographs.
In the evening, the reception was wonderful with live music was heart throbbing Jessy dance was great! Man u should be somewhere in Hollywood what are you doing in Kansas? Common u still have time, it's not too late. The fusion of Nepali and English dance was vividly seen showing thediversity of culture and civilization. Vijay thanks for being a professional photographer, I think shashi made mistake by hiring someone else.
May 11, 2009 St.Louis MO
How a person could get married twice without getting divorce or annulment. But practically speaking in Nepal, polygamy is very common and even polyandry still exists in the remote site of Nepal. Katy was very happy to get married in Hindu-style. Her sister was complaining that she should get married two times tooo-----a filthy joke guys! Never do that…you will ruin your life.
May 13-15, 2009 Cadiz KY
We visited Cadiz, a small town in western Kentucky. We stayed in Lake House that was built in 70’s. It was wonderful moment grilling chicken wings in the evening. Thanks shashi it was delicious. We visited the park land between the lakes and the live museum simulating the US civilization two hundred years back. I invited receptionist to visit Nepal, u don’t need to make something like this here as our country itself is a demo. She was so surprised and she asked me “Am I Joking” I told her I am not good in jokes. Later she was inquiring her co-workers about Nepal and probably they must ended up in Google- thanks Sergery and Ben. We played bocce ball for the first time, it was fun and exciting, rolling the balls like kids in single digit. The dock was flooded so we use the sail boat to reach the dock. Shashi and Katy must have lost calories to take us to and fro from the dock as it was flooded. Wow! The motor boat was great. We start driving in the lake and were enjoying ourselves but we felt sorry for the birds that has nest with four eggs. We are sorry for you guys. Don’t worry u will have next eggs soon. In the way we saw wild goats, I couldn’t understand how they are going to survive in the island in the winter. Most of us jumped into the water as we have certified attendant and, we had confidence on her. It was so fun, memorable and exotic. Again the barbecue smells fly in the air. Also we feel sorry for Maxie, our neighbor who was very sad because somebody shot his dog. Ironically, we never ate KFC in Kentucky.
May 16, 2009 Carbondale IL

When we arrived in Carbondale again, Quarto's was there. That was something we ate for the last time in Carbondale. Finally we have to move to Chicago, we took Amtrak from Carbondale to Chicago. Passing through all the ways were same stereotype houses, big roads and thesame America! What else could we expect? We were so happy to see Kabir in the union station. Interestingly we feel our pain in an ass gone after eating delicious food prepared by Kabir. It was awesome, we were so tired exhausted and we feel so good to eat perfect Nepali cuisine. Thanks buddy! I would hire you as a chef if I open a Nepali restaurant somewhere in the west.
May 17, Chicago IL
The next day we were busy roaming around the downtown of Chicago. Sears tower, shed aquarium, millennium garden would always be there in tributaries of my mind. Thanks Vijay for giving us such a wonderful ride in such a hustling and bustling traffic. You did a great job.Definitely you deserve applause and could be recruited as a top chauffer if I ever start the transportation company .Spending time with Nisha didi’s family was great. It was an open atmosphere chilled with feelings of closeness of being nepalese I am pretty sure kabia and his sweet brother must be doing well and remember us sometimes. Don’t worry folks we will meet you guys again but don’t have solid idea at the moment. The goat meat and pappad was great! I like it. Thanks vinaju and nisha didi

May 20 Washington D.C.
Finally we had to say goodbye to Chicago and make our way towards the Virginia via DC. Amtrack again, but very long and lousy journey. Meeting the lance corporal, self-acclaimed programmer, and a jolly Columbian was a fantastic memories talking about different things from the wide spheres of life. The terrain was bit different as the train passes through the bank of river, somewhere you can see windmills at the top of hill stations.We arrived at Union Station at 2 pm. After waiting for couple of minutes, we saw a guy with a little kid. He is a Sanjib dai, who made all the way towards herdon, Virginia, We have to use red line orange line and again have to take bus to reach the sanjib dai’s place. We are very thankful to sushma Bhauju who made the most delicious food we have ever eaten. Still I remember that chicken curry so vividly that sometimes I feel I will go to Virginia again. Kids were so happy and they are so curious to checks our eyes whether its still open or not. The kid starts counting all the peoples whether we are there or not. He is gonna be a great mathematician .Her sister was so happy, content and beautiful,
May 21 Washington D.C.
We went to Lincoln Park, make our way towards the most powerful folk home - White House. We saw Capitol Hill and science museum. We ate a lunch at MC Donald. The little boy was so happy to have his new toy, There were arrays of government offices along the capitol Hill and its surrounding.
May 22 Herdon, Virginia
The following day we went to Kohl, ate papa john’s pizzas and chickens. They were so big that a single piece is enough for me. I was bit surprised how could a chicken legs and wings can be huge like that? Truly amazing America has big roads, big mansions and of course big woman's…lol thanks a lot sanjib dai and sushma bhauju we are very grateful to you. Kids were so cute.
May 23rd greyhound station, VA

Then we made our way towards Maine by greyhound. The journey started from DC and it was a long drive, we had transfer at New York. When we reached NY it was already dark. We came out of the union station as we have plenty of time to change another bus. Finally we were in the 43rdstreet. I was totally surprised, I couldn’t think. Wow…what an amazing big mansions everywhere, peoples are like bees in beehives. It's amazing, it's awesome, I feel like America is NY. We ate a pizza somewhere in the 46th street it was very big; I gave all my energy to chew it. Finally, our bus was there and we made our way towards Boston.
May 24th greyhound station, Boston , MA
We reached early in the morning in the union station. We were so happy when two Gujarati's workings for McDonald offer free French fries and chicken selects. They really liked us as we were from the same region. The final bus was ready at the morning to leave for Bangor from Boston
May 25th -28th Bangor , ME
It was tiring journey looking at the traffic and greeneries’ around. We reached greyhound station in Bangor, shashi and Katy were there to give a drive. It was rainy morning. We went to house and enjoyed the place, take rest, enjoy Nepali food as usual and make our way towards the bed. The weather was chilling cold. We stayed in Merrimac Street; it seems as the old town. Shashi made delicious barbecue of wings. The next day we make our way to Acadia National Park which is 27 miles, very big and huge park can be compared to one of the biggest city of Nepal. It has beautiful landscapes, we went to hills, and they call it mountains. We went to sand beach, the water was chilling cold but again some of them were freaking out to swim. The park was great; we can see the French bay.
After that we went to small city bar harbor. The following day we went to downtown of Bangor. It's simply the cross section of four streets, a very small one. But I can see court and sheriff’s office. Although the temperature was cold, here people think that its summer so they don’t wear clothes even though its cold. Psychologically its summer and it must be hot and it is hot for them but not for us. We went to see the University of Maine, everywhere the university seems alike, and particularly we went to the department of forestry and watch out activities. The other day we went to Wal-Mart. Thanks Katy for making lasania and tauca. They were dam delicious; you worked pretty hard spending couple of hours in kitchen preparing it. Gumba was again wonderful cat who has just adapted to new environment but clever enough to chase other cats in neighborhood. Seems gonna be the don of the neighbor. I feel good with chatting with Kabita the other dayafter a long time.

May 29-30, Boston, MA
It took four hours to reach the Boston downtown from Bangor. When we reached there we were searching for the Dinesh dai’s house. When we reached the place, nobody was there. Later everybody gets accumulated and there start the Nepalese socialization, talking about so much about our country, politician and the village. We went to Harvard square, saw the statue of john Harvard, and walk all the way towards MIT. Someone was playing a guitar in the pavement of Harvard square and it was so melodious that I feel America is Harvard square melodically. The other guy with a single wheel bicycle was showing his stunt- crazy fellow. However I like his stunts, they were awesome. In the evening delicious dinner was ready, thanks samjhana bhauju for your kind hospitality, a great applause for you. The kids were great, we just got amazed because they get confused to talk in Nepali and we are pleased to hear their real accent. That’s great. The next day we made bus and dock ride, it was fun. The chauffer was great chap who knows inches and inches of Boston, having more than 20 years of experience. Maybe better than the professor of history at Harvard. The guy describes us the city along with turtle and those amateur sailors, all about history of Boston. With more than 20 years of experience, he is Bostonworm. We meet bishnu Dai later in the evening thanks for his donuts they were so delicious. Kids were voracious eater. I was even surprised to meet RAJAN BHANDARI over there.After that we made our way towards the Maine again canceling our trip to New York. I was so sad but we had no choice. We stayed in Maine for two more days and make our way towards Nepal flying from British Airways from Boston via London via Delhi to Katmandu. We were logically crushed in pieces when we reached Katmandu because it was more than 27 hours travel. The hangover and jet lag remained for couple of days. Then the ball was in the square one again, doing our normal stuffs.
Finally I would like to thank all for making our trip wonderful . See you again……….

The End Begins

The days were extremely hot and muggy. I could feel hot waves of air passing through my body that was very dry and humid. This summer was completely different compared to my place. It was even difficult to walk in the evening. However, the cloudy days and the fringe showers were able to make the environment much easier than anticipated. The packing maniac has already been started and the course was the last one. The course was more professional and industrial. It was also exerting constant stress gradually as we move into the core contents.

We visited Nanjing Normal University for the last time. It was afternoon and guys have already finished their exam and some of them were planning to leave to the country for a summer holidays. We were so excited and tempted to eat at one of the local restaurant at Nanshita. However, it was not an easy task without the aid of someone who can speak Chinese. So, we asked one of Nepalese student to accompany us to the local restaurant. We ate “ Suan Caiyu” , The Fish and green vegetables ,”Gongobao Ji Ding”, The chicken and fish, “ Mi Fan”, The rice, “Zhang Dan”, The Omlette, “Ke le”, Coca-Cola with the help of “Kuaizi”, The Chopstick

All of us were taking much about July 17 as it was the day for us to leave the Nanjing. It was emotional moment when I was greeting for the last time as we never know that when we are going to see each other again. I was simply recalling how we met for the first time and the beautiful memories that we spend together. Now the wonderful memories would only be in the tributaries of our mind and has already become the sweet history. I met my last (new) Chinese friend Alice; it was short time knowing each other as all of us in bus-stand when we were wondering about the big centipedes that was passing near us. As both of us were busy and the time was running out for me, we never got an opportunity to meet again. I feel sad when I look at my old friend. But he looks happy and vivid as usual and was busy in his work. I was quite happy that we were good friends and I was successful on teaching him some English sentences for a year. I realized that he learned English better than my Chinese.

Finally, the last day to leave Nanjing was at the doorstep. We were given buffet on the occasion of our graduation ceremony. The banquet was organized at one of the biggest restaurant of Nanjing at Fujimiao. I was so lucky that my best place in Nanjing would be the last place for us to visit. The environment gave flashback of inaugural ceremony of the last year. At the beginning I was quite excited to leave the place but I feel bitter and sad when we were about to leave the Nanjing. I never knew that Nanjing has been deeply stagnated in my mind and in my heart for quite long period of time and I feel Nanjing is my second home. We leave to train station at seven pm. I feel extremely sad and despair although I was going back to my homeland. As we were leaving the perimeter of a school, we said bye-bye to our class and buildings that has the wonderful memories.

Traveling through the train has already been the part of my life. I find it easier to travel through the train although it's hectic if it's too long but the comfort ness and environment is laudable. So we were moving north thousands of miles away from Nanjing towards Beijing. As the train starts to move I feel more emotional. I almost cried and listen the song “Tell me you didn’t say good-bye”. It was tragic moment, I watched through window as the train slides slowly towards north and I realized that everything is becoming history very fast and the end has already begun.

It was very dark and I could see the lights far away from the window. I watched it till mid-night. Unlike previously, this time I was sleeping very well. The next morning at 6:30 am, I looked out through the window, it was raining and we were already at Beijing. The train station was very crowded and everywhere peoples were like bees in bee-hives. It was again terrible experience for me when I had to move towards the bus-stop with my luggage. I realized that I will never travel in my life with so many luggages’. The big mansions, crowded peoples, seamless traffic, the big-sky scrappers were something the Beijing has been known for many years. One of the most hustling and crowded city of the world, the traffic is a serious problem and I started to think about quite and calm Nanjing. Despite of so many sky-scrappers and mansions, I feel that Beijing still needs more than that to manage the serious problem of traffic and crowded peoples. Finally we arrived at our hotel at 2 yumin Lu, Xichengu, Beijing where one of the grand hotels is located.

After eating the lunch, we quickly make our way to see the one of the seventh great wonder of the world, The Great Wall at Badaling. The Great Wall of China, one of the greatest wonders of the world, was enlisted in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 6,700 kilometers (4,163 miles ) from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2000 years, some of the sections of the great wall are now in ruins or even entirely disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.

The Great Wall was originally built in the Spring, Autumn, and Warring States Periods as a defensive fortification by the three states: Yan, Zhao and Qin. The Great Wall went through constant extensions and repairs in later dynasties. In fact, it began as independent walls for different states when it was first built, and did not become the "Great" wall until the Qin Dynasty. Emperor Qin Shihuang succeeded in his effort to have the walls joined together to fend off the invasions from the Huns in the north after the unification of China. Since then, the Great Wall has served as a monument of the Chinese nation throughout history. A visit to the Great Wall is like a tour through the history backwards; it brings tourists great excitement in each step of the wall.

The mystery of the construction of the wall is amazing.

The construction of the Great Wall, drew heavily on the local resources for construction materials, was carried out in line with the local conditions under the management of contract and responsibility system. A great army of manpower composed of soldiers, prisoners, and local people, built the wall. The construction result demonstrates the manifestation of the wisdom and tenacity of the Chinese people.

The Great Wall as we see today was mostly built during the Ming Dynasty. It starts from Shanhaiguan Pass in the east to Jiayuguan Pass in the west traversing provinces of Liaoning, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Shaanxi and Gansu.

The Great Wall has long been incorporated into Chinese mythology and popular symbolism. The most beautiful of several legends is about the collapse of a section of the Great Wall caused by Meng Jiangnu, who cried bitterly over the death of her husband in the construction of the Great Wall. This legend has been spread widely through textbooks, folk songs and traditional operas. It is well-known in China.

We feel easier to move around the city in public vehicles as we have already contacted one of our friends from Beijing. First, we took the bus number 305 from Badaling free way to reach the last-stop of the bus from where the bus number 319 to Badaling great wall departs. It took almost one and half hours to reach the place. It was 2:30 when we reach the place. Once I made a glance towards the great wall, I was amazed and spellbound. I feel that I am in the china after eleven months to see this majestic achievement of human civilization. How human can create such a beautiful walls that runs through the hill stations seamlessly for thousands of kilometers, the only human made artifact that can seen from the moon.

As we start to climb the great wall by paying 25 RMB as a discounted rate because of our student card. It was stiff from the base but enjoyment and feeling of ecstasy, a feeling of china, a feeling of greatness. The place seems very crowded and each time I see these crowds I remember myself watching the bees in beehives and ants collecting the food in winter for the rainy season. There were many children and they seem very happy and delighted. It’s the desire of every Chinese to visit The Great Wall in their life, we took many pictures and I feel I was climbing the highest mountain of the world, The Mount Everest. After walking through hundreds of meters, we make our way back as we feel very tired and it's impossible to walk around the seamless man-made artifact. Finally after buying some souvenirs we made our way towards our hotel. We were tired and exhausted.

At 8 pm, we decided that we will go to Tiananmen Square although it was too late. Tiananmen Square is a modern creation, China being a land where large public gathering places were not traditionally built. Its construction broke down walls of the Forbidden City to make way for the large thoroughfare, Chang'an Jie. Previously Tiananmen Square was occupied by imperial offices which were inside the Forbidden City and connected the Temple of Heaven to Qianmen and the palace. Tiananmen (translated from Chinese: The Gate of Heavenly Peace) is the original gate of the Imperial Palace, commonly known as the Forbidden City. It is now one of the entrances for tourists visiting the Forbidden City.

Built and burned down a few times starting in 1417, its recent incarnation dates to 1651. Today it is a world recognized symbol of where Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung) declared the foundation the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949.

We rushed towards metro station. As we reached the sub-way, we were so surprised to see the underground two sub-ways and the metro was very crowded. At first, it was so confusing for us to travel through it, however we manage to reach the Tiananmen square west gate after changing another metro. We were able to reach the place at ten. Hurriedly, we manage to take some pictures of this memorable place. When we were coming, we were lost somewhere in the middle; eventually we reached our hotel after taking the taxi. The other day, I realized that I missed one of the precious-thing; my diary in that I used to tabulate information in chronology.

The other day we were pretty sure about the route of underground sub-way, we make our way again towards Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City. It was easier than the last night as we were more used to with the system although the place was very crowded no matter train comes after every few minutes. We took some memorable pictures, drank ice-water as it was very hot and has to rush towards hotel very soon as two of our friends were leaving at afternoon.

In the evening we roam around the busy-street of Beijing. Peoples were everywhere and foods in the street was making environment very amusing and alluring although I have seen it before in Nanjing. We were lucky to find cyber cafe that was very cheap and quickly informed our friends and relatives that we were in the lap of the great wall. We could even see one of the Olympic stadiums that's under construction and realized that the tariff of hotel has already escalated for the next year Olympic at Beijing. Everywhere we can see hoarding boards of the Olympics 2008 and realized that Olympic maniac has made the environment more colorful.

The next day I woke up very early as it was the last day in China and we have to reach an airport at 5:00 a.m. We rushed towards airport and there was traffic problem as the highway was under maintenance, however we were able to reach the airport at time. So, we were preparing to travel 1238 miles to Hong Kong and left the Beijing at 7:40. Eventually at the mid-day we reached the Hong Kong airport and were disappointed when we were informed that our plane was delayed for nine hours. So, we were spending more than 15 hours in the Hong Kong Airport. I feel bit exhausted as I couldn't sleep well in transit and was afraid of sleeping disorder although I was using internet and was enjoying the environment. After getting tired of looking at electronic board several times, I realized that at 0400 its time for us to leave for Nepal.

Finally, we landed at Airport at 06:30 in the morning and I was warmly received by family members. I was happy to be at home after a long time but as soon as I see the poor infrastructure, political chaos, economical and social problems I feel sorry for my country and was missing Nanjing more than ever.

After spending my holiday for a week and trying to adapt myself again to the old environment, I realized that I was in the heaven for last eleven months which I will always miss in my life no matter where I go and where I live. Nanjing would always remain in my nutshell forever. Xie Xie Ni ,.Nanjing!