Far from home: From Hi-Tech City to Rapid City

Sitting at my desk in the graduate room of the Dept. of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at the South Dakota Sch. of Mines and Tech., i realize i am far away from home. I just stumble upon all the lovely memories and nostalgia of the past and India. Where has life taken me? To the United States, sure, but my life is in India.

My journey all the way from Hi-Tech City (Hyderabad) to Rapid City was through a sea of cultures and peoples. Since i flew via. Frankfurt, i had the opportunity to step in the land of the mighty Hitler, Germany. The airport was vast, flights were many, time was swift and weather was rainy. The airport was glittering, like an Indian bride. The people were German, Polish, English, American, Asian.. many.. all at one place. The sight was enormous!

My next udai-jahaaz would take me across the Atlantic, over Europa, to the land of aplenty, America. My port of entry was Denver, Colorado. The airport was again mighty, huge, and beautiful with an expressive feeling of engineering excellence. Cleared immigration, customs and off to catch the next flight to Rapid City, my destination! Ufff!! I would be reaching in another few hours!! Feels good! This was the feeling after 20 hours of flying and another 8 hours of lay-over. I finally reached my destination 20 minutes before time. Rapid City was quiet, welcoming me to its beautiful landscape and asking me to forget India, its pollution, population, and people. Rapid City was quiet in its dusky night; it was singing, America, and it was going to keep me with her for 2 years now.

The roads were open, wide and cars. My sub-consious was sleeping, waiting to realize its a false dream, that I'm oceans and miles away from home.. Very far from home..

The next morning showed me Rapid City in all its beauty-- the hills, the roads, the houses.. all were sleeping last evening when I arrived. Tornados were round the weekend, thunderstorms were aplenty-- the weather was changing.. My University welcomed me, greeted me with people, lawns, blue skies, beauty and greenery. The next few days saw me meet my professors, get myself registered and find a place in my Department. Everyone here is so friendly, helpful and kind, to say the least. I don't know what lies ahead of me, but sure i know i am going to miss my family, love, friends, weekends, nights, movies, drives, hugs, kisses, fights, my bike, and more..

I leave my sub-consious dream to connect to Hyderabad, while I move off my room, to make some coffee for myself, and to enter the friday evening and following weekend, promising lots of partying and fun. See you soon, India.