Accomodation! The word has been the key one for me in the past one week. Let’s reconsider my situation (as on last Monday). I want to share an apartment in Columbus. I happened to meet this guy on Orkut (actually, he is the one who fished me out) who is also joining OSU this September. We had planned to stay together. In fact, we were planning to be three. His friend from school was to join us as well. No problems with that.
As time went, however, things started getting complicated. I was destined to reach Columbus on the 3rd (September), whereas they were not making a move before the second week. Question was, do I lease an apartment for all the three in their absence? I figured that the amount of money that we need to pay as security deposit is really not funny. And in my case, I would need to pay the entire amount by myself (till the others arrive and pay me). The estimated amount was enough to tell me that I needed a change of plan. After a long discussion with my parents (read being shouted at badly by them) I called them up to explain my situation, and it was decided that I would not be staying with them. Thus, I was back to square one-----looking for accommodation, looking for roommate.
Thankfully, I didn’t need to wait very long. I happened to know someone in OSU who informed me that two guys he knew were looking for a third roommate. Couldn’t believe my luck! And I must say, there are some EXTREMELY helpful people around.
A week, and things are almost set. I not only have roommates, but also have an accommodation plan ready. And from what I gather, I have had a rather good deal, touch wood. Thanks to all those who have been helping me so much for the past few months.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Shop till you drop
It has been almost a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I have successfully taken my driving test, have been to the ophthalmologist, taken the second dose of Hepatitis B vaccine, visited Air India office, and, as the title suggests, shopped like I have never before. Non-stick pans, microwavable plates, glasses, cutlery. Formal shirts and trousers, informal T-shirts and jeans. Formal shoes, sneakers, sandals. Belts, purses (ok, that is in singular), backpacks (that’s in singular too). Not to mention the gifted clothes, and a brand new pressure cooker that my mom had. And I am yet to buy one luggage. Quite some progress in relatively short time.
Driving test could be your most hilarious experience if you are successful in maintaining your sense of humor. Being stranded for hours in the open on a July afternoon is bad. It’s worse if you haven’t had a proper meal. But by the end of it, I understood why we have so many road accidents in Calcutta. We had to drive for some 800 cm I guess (definitely less than a meter). The rest was all paperwork. And that takes the whole day!
Driving test could be your most hilarious experience if you are successful in maintaining your sense of humor. Being stranded for hours in the open on a July afternoon is bad. It’s worse if you haven’t had a proper meal. But by the end of it, I understood why we have so many road accidents in Calcutta. We had to drive for some 800 cm I guess (definitely less than a meter). The rest was all paperwork. And that takes the whole day!
More updates (part II)
That was the story for 15th of July. 17th of July, Friday, was a rather nasty day. It started pretty nicely though. My ex-classmate from IIT called me up to inform that he has got his visa. Considering he had also been put under the pink slip, this piece of information was a moral boost. However, come evening, I got the shock of my life. I was supposed to check the status of my case on the website of the US Embassy at New Delhi. On that day I saw that my case (which was “pending” till the day before) was completely missing from the list! I didn’t know what to make out of it. I became paranoid and called up the embassy. It was 8:00 pm, and the guy asked me to call back on Monday. I got even more nervous and sent an e-mail to the embassy explaining my case and asking the status of my case. The weekend was a rather anxious one for me. But they compensated for everything on Monday. As a reply to my mail, they informed me that I have been given F1 visa. JUST the mail I was waiting for!!!
And I must say, the Blue Dart guys are pretty fast. I checked from the VFS site that they had released my passport from New Delhi on Tuesday, and it reached me in Calcutta on Wednesday! That too when on that particular Wednesday (21st July) transport in Calcutta was virtually crippled by a political rally.
A couple of things, however, kept me from being the happiest person. One, the embassy had crumbled up my form I-20 very badly (and my mom says I don’t take care of things the way I am supposed to! The form was with me for 3 months and didn’t even get a single crease. And look at what they have done to it in three weeks). Second, they have given me visa for four years while most of my friends have got it for five. That, I guess, would be manageable once I land up in the US. The crushed I-20, although, would probably still be crushed after four or five years.
I would conclude this post by adding that I have already given the necessary documents to my travel agent, and she has also informed that she has done her job. All I need to do is go and collect a printout from her. Apart from that, I have ordered for a couple of glasses and a powered sunglass. I would leave shortly for the tailors. Need to get a suit made you see! Also need to get three pairs of jeans. Good going buddy!
And I must say, the Blue Dart guys are pretty fast. I checked from the VFS site that they had released my passport from New Delhi on Tuesday, and it reached me in Calcutta on Wednesday! That too when on that particular Wednesday (21st July) transport in Calcutta was virtually crippled by a political rally.
A couple of things, however, kept me from being the happiest person. One, the embassy had crumbled up my form I-20 very badly (and my mom says I don’t take care of things the way I am supposed to! The form was with me for 3 months and didn’t even get a single crease. And look at what they have done to it in three weeks). Second, they have given me visa for four years while most of my friends have got it for five. That, I guess, would be manageable once I land up in the US. The crushed I-20, although, would probably still be crushed after four or five years.
I would conclude this post by adding that I have already given the necessary documents to my travel agent, and she has also informed that she has done her job. All I need to do is go and collect a printout from her. Apart from that, I have ordered for a couple of glasses and a powered sunglass. I would leave shortly for the tailors. Need to get a suit made you see! Also need to get three pairs of jeans. Good going buddy!
More updates...
I have quite a bit to say. In fact, it deserved to be split into two (or maybe three) posts. But as usual, I had been lazing around too much and didn’t pen things down in time. Anyway, here it goes. Trying to put everything chronologically, and split it accordingly.
Got to know of a travel agent in Ho-Chi-Minh Sarani in Calcutta (apparently, a lot of travel agents have their office in that area. My first visit to them had been with the purpose of getting quotations, but I ended up blocking my ticket. Of course, it was easier said than done. All sorts of offers were available. Different routes, different airlines, different flight times, and different luggage rules, not to mention different prices. Lufthansa happened to be the only airlines which can pick you up from Calcutta and drop you at Columbus, but the route was too long (Calcutta-Frankfurt-Chicago-Columbus). This could have been handy as a direct check-in would mean I would not have to worry about my luggage in any of the transits. I could also take a Kingfisher flight to Delhi and then take Continental Airlines to Columbus (via New York). This meant no luggage harassment at the port of entry to the US. Needless to say, we continue to be the middle-class Bengali who would never fail “arektu shosta hole hoto na?” (couldn’t we make it cheaper?). Of course there were other reasons for choosing the deal we did (and I would explain that shortly), but why let go of an opportunity to crack a stupid joke?
We finally agreed on Air India flight from Calcutta to New York (via Delhi) and then Delta Airlines flight to Columbus. Biggest advantage was that Air India was allowing an extra luggage for “students flying for the first time”. Considering first time means I would carry almost an entire household, this offer is invaluable. As for collecting luggage and completing immigration/customs in time for the connecting flight, the deal gives me 8 whole hours! Air India is scheduled to drop me at JFK airport at 6:00 am local time, and Delta Airlines flight won’t depart for Columbus before 2:00 pm. Of course the first flight could be delayed, and I would also need to change terminals at JFK within this time. But people had advised me to keep “at least 3-4 hours in hand”. In that context, 8 hours should not be much of a problem.
The problem lay elsewhere. Blocking a ticket proved to be more complicated than I had assumed. I learnt that you cannot select the duration for which you want to block (or so said the agent). It depends on the airlines, and comes automatically. After completing the process, she smiled nicely and said “I have blocked till 10th of July”. I was about to feel good before I realized that we were already on the 7th! I called her on the 10th and requested her to extend it further (and this time it “came” to be till 13th), and also asked her to extend it further till 16th. However, on the third occasion, it “came” till 15th. So, on the 15th of July, I got my ticket issued (or was it that I HAD to?). This is interesting as, till that time, I had no idea whether I was getting the visa at all! The extra luggage business was kept pending as, in order to avail it, I needed to show a copy of my visa. I could only hope that it would be done as soon as possible.
Got to know of a travel agent in Ho-Chi-Minh Sarani in Calcutta (apparently, a lot of travel agents have their office in that area. My first visit to them had been with the purpose of getting quotations, but I ended up blocking my ticket. Of course, it was easier said than done. All sorts of offers were available. Different routes, different airlines, different flight times, and different luggage rules, not to mention different prices. Lufthansa happened to be the only airlines which can pick you up from Calcutta and drop you at Columbus, but the route was too long (Calcutta-Frankfurt-Chicago-Columbus). This could have been handy as a direct check-in would mean I would not have to worry about my luggage in any of the transits. I could also take a Kingfisher flight to Delhi and then take Continental Airlines to Columbus (via New York). This meant no luggage harassment at the port of entry to the US. Needless to say, we continue to be the middle-class Bengali who would never fail “arektu shosta hole hoto na?” (couldn’t we make it cheaper?). Of course there were other reasons for choosing the deal we did (and I would explain that shortly), but why let go of an opportunity to crack a stupid joke?
We finally agreed on Air India flight from Calcutta to New York (via Delhi) and then Delta Airlines flight to Columbus. Biggest advantage was that Air India was allowing an extra luggage for “students flying for the first time”. Considering first time means I would carry almost an entire household, this offer is invaluable. As for collecting luggage and completing immigration/customs in time for the connecting flight, the deal gives me 8 whole hours! Air India is scheduled to drop me at JFK airport at 6:00 am local time, and Delta Airlines flight won’t depart for Columbus before 2:00 pm. Of course the first flight could be delayed, and I would also need to change terminals at JFK within this time. But people had advised me to keep “at least 3-4 hours in hand”. In that context, 8 hours should not be much of a problem.
The problem lay elsewhere. Blocking a ticket proved to be more complicated than I had assumed. I learnt that you cannot select the duration for which you want to block (or so said the agent). It depends on the airlines, and comes automatically. After completing the process, she smiled nicely and said “I have blocked till 10th of July”. I was about to feel good before I realized that we were already on the 7th! I called her on the 10th and requested her to extend it further (and this time it “came” to be till 13th), and also asked her to extend it further till 16th. However, on the third occasion, it “came” till 15th. So, on the 15th of July, I got my ticket issued (or was it that I HAD to?). This is interesting as, till that time, I had no idea whether I was getting the visa at all! The extra luggage business was kept pending as, in order to avail it, I needed to show a copy of my visa. I could only hope that it would be done as soon as possible.
Health check-up and driving lessons...
One thing is for sure. The moment you think of venturing outside the borders of your country, suggestions and advices will flow in from every nook and corner of your social circle (although a circle doesn’t have corners). And since you yourself aren’t too sure, and hence slightly insecure, you would tend to pay heed to each. Most of them would contradict each other, yet each would seem as rational as the other. For example, a cousin of mine went to Germany last year, and his mother (my paternal aunt) has advised my mom to buy me EVERYTHING she could think of that might come of use. Plates, glasses, cutlery, shoes, clothes, soaps, shampoos, rice, dal, you name it. On the contrary, my uncle who is in Japan for almost three decades now is of the opinion that she need not provide me with anything, as everything is available in the US. More on this later. Coming to driving. How essential is it that you learn driving before you leave? Some say it is an absolute necessity (“you would need to buy a car as soon as possible once you are there”), some others say it is not necessary but definitely an asset (“it would be easier for you to get an American driving license if you have an Indian one”), while even others say it is absolutely futile (“you would anyway need to go through their training program whether or not you have an Indian license”). As a result, I have registered for driving classes, and I go for them, without knowing how important it is for me and how serious/anxious I should be about getting the license made in time. In the process, my weekday afternoons are gone. I cannot meet my friends. Weekday afternoons are especially important as female friends need to get home before evening and they cannot meet me on weekends as their fathers would be home (21st century, I suppose?).
Health, of course, is the star performer. Dental health to be more specific. My teeth have never been too well-behaved. Likewise, even I do not behave too well with them. My recent checkups show that one of my incisors is wrongly set (guess whose fault it was?), which leads to food deposition in my gums. I have already had my gums scaled, and they are silent for the time being. But that isn’t all. Doctor says ALL the four of my wisdom teeth need to be operated! Why should I when there is no problem at all? He says that sooner or later, they will create problems. And when they do, it would really be hell for me. But is it really advisable to cut open a wound with no apparent problem simply because it is expected to trouble me in some distant (?) future? Once again, all sorts of suggestions flow in. Add to it the fact that an operation means I would miss yet another week of driving classes (I have already missed a week when I was in Delhi for my visa interview). Since I do not know how important the license is-----and I don’t even know how important the operation is-----I don’t know which one to prioritize. For the time being, decision is to keep the final verdict pending till the visa arrives. The assumption here is that by the time my passport is couriered to me, I would already have taken my driving test (or would be within days of taking it).
Health, of course, is the star performer. Dental health to be more specific. My teeth have never been too well-behaved. Likewise, even I do not behave too well with them. My recent checkups show that one of my incisors is wrongly set (guess whose fault it was?), which leads to food deposition in my gums. I have already had my gums scaled, and they are silent for the time being. But that isn’t all. Doctor says ALL the four of my wisdom teeth need to be operated! Why should I when there is no problem at all? He says that sooner or later, they will create problems. And when they do, it would really be hell for me. But is it really advisable to cut open a wound with no apparent problem simply because it is expected to trouble me in some distant (?) future? Once again, all sorts of suggestions flow in. Add to it the fact that an operation means I would miss yet another week of driving classes (I have already missed a week when I was in Delhi for my visa interview). Since I do not know how important the license is-----and I don’t even know how important the operation is-----I don’t know which one to prioritize. For the time being, decision is to keep the final verdict pending till the visa arrives. The assumption here is that by the time my passport is couriered to me, I would already have taken my driving test (or would be within days of taking it).
The visa...
Last week witnessed a rather interesting trip. We (me and dad) started from Calcutta on Monday, 22nd June, and came back on Saturday, 27th June. Till 22nd evening, nothing was decided as to where we shall be staying for that day. And till 25th night, we didn’t know we will be home in less than 48 hours. Add to it the experiences of bathing in near-boiling water for a week, worst summer in Delhi (in terms of temperature, water shortage, and power crisis), a young man’s first visit to the US embassy, and a Delhi-Kolkata flight that departs from the international terminal and arrives at the international terminal. I don’t think I am going to forget it too soon.
No chemistry students this year are getting visa at one go. I hoped against hope to be an exception, but luck had other plans for me. While waiting for my turn at the counter, I found this cute-looking girl waiting in the next counter. No harm there, but I still don’t know what made her smile at me (that too a rather sweetly) and wish me luck. Now come on people, there is an upper limit to how much good can happen to you on a given day. With that she exhausted my quota of good luck for the day. Had a rather long chat with the visa officer, and ended up with the pink slip.
About this blog...
Hi friends. Thank you for visiting my blog. Hope all of you are doing fine. I guess the name of my blog should be tell you what its for. I plan to post my experiences of reaching and living in the United States.
Brief introduction about myself.....I am born and brought up in Calcutta, did my graduations in Chemistry from St. Stephen's College, Delhi and my post-graduation from IIT Roorkee. Currently in grad school for PhD at the Ohio State University.
I planned this blog about a couple of months before my scheduled departure to the US. Had started noting down relevant events since then. But unfortunately, it got interrupted a week before I left home (I am sure you understand). Nevertheless, I would still try my best to post as regularly as possible. Do check the posts, and give me your feedback.
Another point to be noted. I had been writing these over a long period of time. But I posted them all together. Hence, when a post says "last week", do not look at the date when it was posted to decide which week is being referred to. In some, the post itself would have an indication. But even if it doesnt, it would mostly be irrelevant.
Disclaimer: I am still confused how to handle stuff that involves people other than myself. Do I use their real names? Do I use fake names? Or do I completely keep that out? Whatever I do, I sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to the reader (for missing events) or my aquaintances (whose characters come in here in a way you may not like).
Best regards,
Chitrak (or Chito, as ppl here call me)
Brief introduction about myself.....I am born and brought up in Calcutta, did my graduations in Chemistry from St. Stephen's College, Delhi and my post-graduation from IIT Roorkee. Currently in grad school for PhD at the Ohio State University.
I planned this blog about a couple of months before my scheduled departure to the US. Had started noting down relevant events since then. But unfortunately, it got interrupted a week before I left home (I am sure you understand). Nevertheless, I would still try my best to post as regularly as possible. Do check the posts, and give me your feedback.
Another point to be noted. I had been writing these over a long period of time. But I posted them all together. Hence, when a post says "last week", do not look at the date when it was posted to decide which week is being referred to. In some, the post itself would have an indication. But even if it doesnt, it would mostly be irrelevant.
Disclaimer: I am still confused how to handle stuff that involves people other than myself. Do I use their real names? Do I use fake names? Or do I completely keep that out? Whatever I do, I sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to the reader (for missing events) or my aquaintances (whose characters come in here in a way you may not like).
Best regards,
Chitrak (or Chito, as ppl here call me)
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