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~* Alone in crowd *~

By: usernotfound | Posted Mar 08, 2010 | musings | 506 Views | (Updated Mar 08, 2010 03:06 PM)

You cannot be lonely if you like the person you're alone with.

~Wayne Dyer

I like myself but not up to that extent where you can call me as a narcissist. But again, here it is a kind of “forced solitude”. From Kharagpur to Kolkata to Mumbai to Californiaevery transition got its own challenges. But again “See and experience the world” is an inevitable reality. At some stage, you will get used to.

I am here for a short term assignment. Before landing in San Diego, my image of US was all about the skyscrapers, freeways, hustle and bustle of first world order (?). But I am surprised and for a change "pleasantly surprised".It is such a quaint and pleasing country side which is often described as the best city in US to settle down.

At first, the “Gulabi Thandi” – 15 to 21 degrees will definitely pamper you to the core. To the extent of someone accusing me that someone is blowing her trumpet, let me dare to say my cheeks turned out to be pinkerJ. Also, Golden sunshine, azure skies with cotton sprinkled clouds floating leisurely, fresh green shrubs and bushes dotted by occasional burst of colours from the seasonal flowers - Pansies, Daisies, Daffodils etc. A pleasant breeze is your constant companion and wide grey roads and nil pollution makes your walk an experience in itself.

Also, I have got a wonderful roommate with whom I share warm camaraderie!

Meera is as crazy and fun person as me so life is a bit easy. Also we proved to be excellent cooks and within the first week, Indian delicacies from our kitchen became quite a hit with all our Indian colleagues. Thank God, Americans never tried their luck and hence we are not deported! Rarely we have pizza, burgers etc, its "Ghar ka khana" on all days. But you would really fall in love with the deliciously soft donuts with a delicate jam filling, the iced cookies and ofcourse Hershely's dark chocolates.

When we came here, a few of our colleagues warned us that we might have to face racialism with people referring to us as brownies. But to our surprise wherever we went, heads turned and how! I can think not a single occurrence when we went on a trip and people didnt address us as "beautiful ladies". NO doubt we were floored, inf act we were under grounded with such spontaneous admiration which hardly came across back in India :)

Guys here are quite uninteresting, girls are very much fashion conscious and elegant. You would sometimes end up wondering why such a beautiful girl is dating such a shabby looking guy.:) The girls here have an amazing capability to carry themselves so well. They never ever look even a tad bit tired. They are always well groomed and fresh

Another noticeable thing over here is the cab system. They have interesting names - orange cab, silver cab, yellow cab and all the colours in the visible spectrum (blushing, the meaning of my name is also Spectra) is there as cabs ;P. People from all works of life are treated equally and they are so genuine and cordial you would love to talk even with a complete stranger.

This place is so special that within thirty minutes drive, you cross the border and can experience Mexico. (Remember movies like Babel, No Country for Old Men etc. where in Tijuana Border crossing is being shot). Also, 1.5 to 2 hours, you are in Los Angels, the entertainment capital of the world. Disney Land, Beverly Hills, Universal Studio Tour---- if you got the moolah, fun unlimitedis assured! For some alternate experience, you can explore Nevada to explore the Snow Mountains and Las Vegas(Na, I am a good girl and yet to explore Vegas). Also, if you are tired of city life, why not go and explore the Grand Canyon?

Ok – enough of the rosy side. I cannot afford to buy a car and with out car, your mobility is restricted. Also, the distance between each grocery shop is more than 30 minutes walk (which is good for your aerobic exercise). At times, if you have to rely on food from restaurant, you need to undergo a trial and error process to choose something which shall not hamper your taste buds. Tortilla is a poor substitute of Indian Breads, Twinkie is sweet but junk ---- better, you carry your snacks with you.

Contd..

You loved this blog. Thank you for your rating.

usernotfound

Mar 08, 2010 02:53 PM

But again ---- where on earth can I have Vada Pav, Pani Poori, window shopping, Bollywood flicks, road side dhaba and above all something which I cannot explain through words ---- something like my roots? What is that I am missing amidst of all good things out here? Am I missing myself? It is not the miseries of the homeland which you might miss but something that connect you with yourself. I miss myself a lot being here. I started counting days to return. I cannot miss myself any more....Read More

jains24

Mar 08, 2010 03:14 PM

Reading ur first live DP :) read ur previous DPs, admired them silently, as u were not active on MS those days.

Hmmm, thats too good. Moving, the rosy and not so rosy things. Once u will be back, i m sure, u will miss this place.
...Read More

udaya_valli

Mar 08, 2010 03:22 PM

seems like u r missing us right?

happy womens day dear

hermit

Mar 08, 2010 03:22 PM

Look who is back? Straight from Beverly Hills to Pali Hills :-)

Nice musing. Well, life here is also quite colorful. Like, One hour drive and I will also cross border and reach Raigad District or Mumbai District (featured in a million movies)

And, I do miss Twinkie, Tortilla, Hot Dog etc. Just to live, having some Daal Khichdi,

And I am having my company but to be frank, I found myself too boring :-)

And what are you doing so late at night? Have been to Kodak Theatre for Academy Award Function? George Clooney did not drop you back to San Diego? I would have given him a call :-)

Sajit
...Read More

usernotfound

Mar 08, 2010 03:22 PM (Updated Mar 08, 2010 03:29 PM)

:)

Wow...I am truly touched..you admired my DP silently...
Hey I was on and off on MS. Just had caught a writers block of some sort....hence the sabbatical :)...I hope i will write more often now.... Anyway Happy women's day dear

Hey Im in love with San diego.Its such a beautiful place. We had come to San Diego via New York. So we happened to be there for a few hours too. But while we were on the streets of NY, it gave the same hurry-burry feel. While in SD its such a warm feeling. Beautiful locales and amazing weather. Im surely gonna miss this place
...Read More

hermit

Mar 08, 2010 03:25 PM

Next movie on Border Crossing, can we expect ''beautiful lady'' from India? Especially as she got ''pinky cheeks'' :-)

Sajit

hermit

Mar 08, 2010 03:27 PM

God, seems it is the international meet of Geminis :-)

Barnali - do you know Udaya got engaged recently? And did she consult you? :-) :-)

Sajit
...Read More

usernotfound

Mar 08, 2010 03:27 PM

Hey George clooney doesnt interest me. He shouldnt interest u either ideally ;P. But I understand ur preferences...LOLzzz

Hey I was definately at the KOdak Theaters, only at a distance of 2.5 hours. :) Sandra did look stunning. I wish I could get hold of her outfit in some of teh store near me;)

Well i caught half of the action on TV and half of the time we were busy shopping...girls u know :))
...Read More

hermit

Mar 08, 2010 03:27 PM

Only girls here - So, Happy Girls' Day! Have fun! Take care,

Sajit

hermit

Mar 08, 2010 03:28 PM (Updated Mar 08, 2010 03:31 PM)

Aap ka ’’Dostana’’ hang over is not yet over!
If George Clooney Does not interest you, then who? Sandra! God, yes - Now I do believe, you are in US :-)

Chalo, at least Cameron Didi should have dropped you, especially because her home town is San Diego? By any
chance, you are staying in her rented apartment? Hmm Hmm

And believe me, Sandra would not have mind to give you the same attire then and there :-) You should have asked.

You know - what she did to Meryl Streep during Golden Globe? Beware of girls

Sajit
...Read More

confusedsoul

Mar 08, 2010 03:31 PM

The bond with our roots last forever, nothing can replace it… I can understand what you are going through… I have gone through the same…

I loved the way u have penned your thoughts… Wish to see this post as a featured one.

Keep penning
Take care
&
Happy Women’s day!:)

~$@M~
...Read More

usernotfound

Mar 08, 2010 03:31 PM

Congrats dear for your engagement :)...By the way who is the poor guy? ;P Just kidding...do post pictures of your engagement.

Are you back in your hometown?

HAppy Women's day to you too... Keep smiling
...Read More

hermit

Mar 08, 2010 03:32 PM

Sammy is also here. Seems, it is womens' day celebration and I am the chief guest.

Carry on girls, take care. Good Night to Barnali and Good day to others,

Sajit
...Read More

usernotfound

Mar 08, 2010 03:36 PM

Dont you think you should even cut on the daal khichdi part? It should be only watermelons for you at least if you mercy your poor legs :P

And tortillas...well I can take back some of them for you :) And yeah Hot dogs is definately amazing ... They taste completely different from India
...Read More

usernotfound

Mar 08, 2010 03:38 PM

border crossing well...I dont mind if Kathryn Bigelow consides me in her next movie ;)

usernotfound

Mar 08, 2010 03:42 PM

Thanks for the wishes :)

happy Women's day to you too

It has been a long time since I penned this one. ON eof my closest MSian friend was continuously poking me to come up with a post. But the old procrastinator always found excuses galore.
But finally after much ado I posted this one. :)

yeah miss good old navi mumbai a lot. Here everythign is so sweet and good, but still homeland is where you feel the oneness
...Read More

usernotfound

Mar 08, 2010 03:46 PM

That Dostana thing is going to be everlasting...you know first impression is the lasting one ;P

Also you never tried to prove otherwise..hehehe

And yeah...if Sandra looks so stunning..Im definately interested in her..whetehr in US or India..Also I have mentioned the guys over here are so uninteresting that you will definately look for teh girls only ;P

And well Miss Diaz did invite me, its only that I am not getting time on weekends so that I can pay her a visit..;) Will definately try to manage time and pay her a visit and will let u know then :P
...Read More

usernotfound

Mar 08, 2010 03:46 PM

Dont blame the geminis..they are the one who make things really interesting...LOLzzz

jains24

Mar 08, 2010 04:01 PM

Can we wish Sajit a happy Women's Day...he seems to be very eager :D

fenil_seta

Mar 08, 2010 04:03 PM

Beautiful post Barnali! It brought a smile on my face!

Everyone complimenting your beauty...awesome yaar! Enjoy!

Nice to know about the cab system there. And I checked your Universal Studios pics on facebook. Have to check the other 2 recent albums...will do it soon! Till then keep rocking! :)

FENIL
...Read More

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