The Trip to Milwaukee...

The day we applied for passports on the advice of our son Prashant ,we were prepared for travel abroad in 2004.

It was our son's 2nd visit and the 4th visit abroad.He had been to Britain twice.I always felt his presence around me as if he is talking, walking around me.It was easy to make up our minds to stay with him in America(Milwaukee,WI).

First step was to obtain NOC from our employers ,both being govt servants.I am working in the New Delhi Munciple Corp is a lecture and my wife as a Post Grad Teacher in Govt of National capital territory of Delhi. It was not merely routine matter.There were hiccups undone delays and the elections to lok sabha. I got the NOC in Feb 2009 but my wife had to struggle up to April 2009 and then got the permission from may 10 ti 28 June 2009.

Now applying for USA tickets and foreign exchange.My wife had been handling these affairs quiet actively with our son. His friend Aro - Arobindo Sinha, was quiet helpful with all that needed with the Internet and all the application filing. Now the wait for the date and Prashant sent an email to the American Embassy as well which was responded to quickly. The date and time of the interview was fixed and we both went to the embassy loaded with 5 files and a briefcase full of papers. The interview was quick and short, and the visa was sanctioned. Again the wait for collecting the VISA along with the passports. We got the message on the net and went to Nehru Place along with my Brother-in-Law Brij Bhushan Sharma who had come to see us off in the morning. Now that the Visas were obtained I contacted the agents and got the tickets. The one with whom we were in contact for over a month was disappointing. Others too contacted us. The agent from Shakarpur did the job. We wanted to travel by Air India but got the tickets for American Airlines. It was a win-win situation since the fare was a bit low and the travelling time was cut short by five hours.

When we reached the airport, though we had confirmed tickets, our names were not in the expected list of travellers. There was some goof up in the dates of the tickets. Aro was with us in NOIDA and dropped us off at the Indira Gandhi Airport. Aro is a very affectionate, soft-spoken, cooperative and diligent boy.

The young Indian employees of American Airlines were very cooperative, however it still took an hour to clear the mess. Delhi looked extremely beautiful from the plane window. Food was good. Prashant was waiting for us at the Chicago Airport along with Gaurav, in a rented Mazda6. It was sunny and I prayed to Surya Bhagwan and the journey to Milwaukee started. Drive was extremly smooth. Prashant has matured excellently in driving. We stopped at Gaurav's house where we met Deepali, his wife. A house-wife for the time being. A good match !

Prashant took us home. The flat is spacious but lacks cross ventilation. We took bath and had our meals. Prashant had a lot of food stored in his fridge, along with dry fruits, fruits, lemon juice, tea, coffee, beverages, vegetables and what not. He has learnt to manage home. Bed, table, chairs, racks etc are properly set up. Vegetables cooked by him have balanced spices. Perhaps he too likes the taste of the meals cooked by his mother. He had been learning tit-bits of cooking from her, time and again, over phone. We brought a Tava, Belan and spices, Arhar dal and some sweets along with us. The nearby metro market has almost everything that we need. What did not like is that both Meat and Fish are stored together.

Thank you Preet for helping to post this on Prashant's blog, Chai Ki Dukaan ! there is more coming up, stay tuned !!!