Nov 2022 US Trip

Travel always create memories. Memories which you can cherish for years to come. People, places associated with memories may or may not stay with you, but memories always stay with you forever. This morning I returned from a short US trip which was reasonably satisfactory on work front. I got opportunity to meet some of my friends from good old times; also created new friendships. This post revolves around photos which I clicked during the trip.

Departing from Mumbai 

Once you clear the immigration check, you have ample of time in your hand before you board the plane. Adani Lounge at Mumbai Airport provides decent options for food. You may or may not agree with this statement based on your standards of luxury as far as scrumptious food is concerned. 

And oh yes, you can always click that meaningless photo in the Lounge! 

You need to click that photo of Qatar Airways Q Suite the moment you arrive. Else your stay in that suite will gradually make it unfit for the photo. 

Looking curiously at the various maps displayed in "Your flight" option may not necessarily suit your age, but you can do whatever you want to once you close that door of Q Suite. 

I believe Doha and Philadelphia flight follows the path which goes over North Pole.

My friends have always believed that I am sheer waste of opportunity presented by a Business class seat. Over period of time, I have become immune to their criticism and occasionally take such photos from the menu card to share with them. 

This is something which I actually survive on.

There are limited options in Qatar Airways as far as vegetarian traveller or not so adventurous non-vegetarian Indian traveller is concerned. On this front Qatar Airways is over hyped. Here are some random clips of food taken in both journeys. 

  

Arriving at Doha Airport 

I was expecting Doha Airport to be bustling with life considering the upcoming Qatar 2022 World Cup. But it was relatively quiet. Still the Lounge presented some excellent opportunities to click photos.  

These cars were on display for lucky draw at Doha. But the entry fee itself was deterrent for me to think ahead. And the customs in India, they have this limit of INR 50000!!

Homewood Suites in Brandywine Wilmington has sort of become home away from home. It provides all basic amenities in the suite at reasonable price. 

Weather was surprisingly pleasant for this time of the year in Wilmington. That gave me the opportunity to walk around the hotel where we were staying. The barren trees gives warning of upcoming winter in this part of Winter. There is always desire to make most of this weather while it is still around.

The Holiday season is around the corner.  Though not reflected in the prices, signs of Thanksgiving and Black Friday sales were seen all around the malls. You can enjoy clicking photos when you have no intent of shopping. Whether clicking photos in these shops falls in the acceptable protocol is something which I have stopped pondering over for a while.

 

Randolph - New Jersey Visit

Srini and I started our careers together way back. Coincidentally we met again in 2005 in Randolph. We had great time with our families between 2005 - 07. He took great efforts to pick me from Wilmington. We had great time together, visited our apartment complex and Avis Budget Office and revived wonderful memories. It was pleasant to see Fox and Deer visiting Srini's apartment early in the morning on Sunday. One observation - Both Office Building and apartment complex had almost maintained their appearances from 2007. It felt so good that the tree in front of F Block was still out there braving all these years. 

I am pretty impressed with Srini and Sridevi's son Sid. He is President of Student's community in his age group in Randolph School. He is a social guy and wanted to interact with me as much as possible. He explained the nitty gritty of art of violin playing. We also played some competitive Chess. Then there was customary Costco visit as well. As we add years to our age, our responses to Costco and the stuff which is sold there change significantly 

 

Jersey City 

We moved to Jersey City on Sunday for an offsite. There was significant drop in temperature during the weekend. Combining that with New York Skyline view from Westin in Jersey City brought feel of a temporary New Yorker! That feel was short lived as we struggled for a 3 mins walk from Hotel to office on a chilly Monday morning.  Chipotle was our saviour in Wilmington as to some extent in Jersey City as well. The walk on riverfront on a chilly Tuesday evening was memorable. 

Return Journey 

Journey to Wilmington from Jersey City on a Sunny afternoon with Arun was pleasant. We had long good chat over different topics. 

US offers unbelievably beautiful views of Nature if you are a vivid nature lover. But unfortunately most of the time we fail to explore it beyond basic levels. 

Returning to India

It was a pleasant journey. Managed to sleep for good 6 hours at a stretch between Philadelphia and Doha which is a life time record for me. It made me feel fresh enough to take this photo at Doha.  Custom Department gave me some tough time for the first time.

Happy to be back in a country where daily life presents each one of us fair degree of struggle but still people like me can't live away from it for a long period at this stage of life.