Dear All. hello. This an brief account of my US trip, which is still continuing.
Lord Sai ! You are great. You arranged my trip to USA through Ch. Saurabh & Sow. Nutan. Both are very enthusiastic in inviting me and Papa. Unless they called us, we wouldn't have come here. It is true that it is life time achievement to see America, a totally different place from India. At this age Lord Sai's grace is like a miracle for me. I don't know how long I will live, but having such pleasure, arranged by Nutan & Saurabh is a dream for me.
We visited Durga Mandir on 28th May near by Roosevelt Park and Malls during week days. They take care of us minutely.
We came here on 24th May. Almost every day we went for outings, after Saurabh had come home from office. I wonder that he takes us for outings without any grudge. Better say, always he keeps smiling.
As Saurabh had holidays for three days from 29 to 31 and Nutan & Shekhar's birthday falls on 29th May, they had planned it in minutest detail.
We set for Statue Of Liberty at 11.30 in the morning. We all went by a Ferry on that particular island, where it is situated. It is really very huge and gorgeous statue. We enjoyed our ride in a Ferry. We came back by 5.00 p.m.. After taking rest we again left for New York. We ( Saurabh, Nutan, Shekhar, Navin and me) took very elaborate dinner at "Vatan" , an Indian restaurant, where Saurabh & Nutan had advance booking. After taking dinner we left for Empire Estate. We had to purchase tickets $ 20.00 for each person. To get into lift was a very long process. So it took us two long hours to get into it. We were too tired. But after reaching on top floor (87th), we were over-whelmed to see the whole view of New York. from such height.
Then went to World Trade Center.
I do want to say that we passed through Holland Tunnel & Lincoln Tunnel on Hudson river, which were very long.
Then enjoyed at:--1- Wall Street, 2- NY Stock Exchange NASDAQ, 3- South Sea Port ( East River) 4-Brooklyn Bridge, 5-Central Park 6-Times Square, 7-Grand Central Wee haw-ken ( New York Skyline Million Dollar View). In the last we dined at a Mexican Restaurant, Chipotle.
On 31st we enjoyed a lot on 8-Sandy Hook Beach, NJ on Atlantic Ocean.
Till now enjoyed in the above manner. It is bit long description, But please try to share my pleasure at my daughter & son-in law's home.
With best wishes, yous --Shailbala Misra.
S.MISRA.
My Account (2) On My US Trip.
On 04, 05.10 we went to Sai temple at Iseling, near Edison . A Shirdi like huge marble statue of Sai is installed in it. As it was Thursday, the big hall was filled with devotees. We attended Arti at 8.00 p.m. and then sang Sai-Bavani before Sai. Arrangements for Prasad were systematic. A serene & peaceful atmosphere impressed me. I think that at Empire Estate, officials should have more facilities to visitors, especially to senior citizens. There were no arrangements for rest & drinking water and there was no complaint book.
My morning walk & Panayam continue here also. Nutan tries to give me total comfort & rest, which I am enjoying here.
On 05.05.10 we went to Wood Bridge Mall, which ten times bigger than Treasure Insland at Indore . After that we went to Walmart departmental store. We did shopping in both the malls.
On Saturday, 06.05.10 Ch. Saurabh took us to Princeton University , Princeton , NJ . Its awesome campus is spread over miles. Every building is different in architecture. The whole surrounding is huge. A serene atmosphere prevails there. There is a big market, run by its students, in the campus. It is a renowned University in the whole world.
I noticed two distinct qualities of USA . First, each building is surrounded by forest, say dense forest. Another noticeable point is that the sun rises at 5.15 a.m. in the morning and sets at about 9.00 in the evening. I wonder that the sun shines at 8.30 p.m. One thing more vegetables here are of very big size.
Same day Nutan prepared a Mexican dish for dinner. Its name is Enchilada. I liked it very much.
We started for California on 09.05.10 at 05 in the morning. Our flight was scheduled from Newark to San Francisco . The distance is more than 2600 miles and flight is of 6 hours duration. We reached there in time. Ch. Dev was there to receive us. Navin & I were touched by Kshama & Dev’s cordial welcome. No one can remain un-influenced by their palatial home, where all possible luxuries were present to give us every comfort. They took us for city ride of Walnut Creek in the evening.
Next day both of them drove us for Berkeley & Sausalito . We passed through famous Golden Gate Bridge . We drove on top of Caldecott Tunnel and Tilden Park .
I loved visit to Muir Woods National Monument , 12 miles north of Golden Gate Bridge . Redwood like trees covered much of Northern Hemisphere 150 million years ago. It is a remnant of ancient coast redwood forests that blanketed many northern California coastal valleys before the 1800s.
At San Francisco we visited Stepson Beach overlooking Trans America Bridge , Ghirardelli Square , Fisherman’s Wharf and Ferry Bridge . We had lunch at Horizon Restaurant in Sausalito . This restaurant is situated on the waters of the bay of Pacific Ocean . Then we went to China town and Union Square . Shekhar joined us at this place. We all went to Tanuja’s house in Infinity building. Lastly we all had dinner at Amber Indian Restaurant.
On 11th June we left for a flight to Burbank ( Hollywood ). We went to Universal Studio. There we took study tour. We visited whole studio on a Trolley. I learnt that each & every scene is arranged artificially. There we saw Water Wars show and a 4D film. All facades ( sets) are almost perfect and look real.
We look flight to Las Vegas , reached LV by 7.10 p.m. Here Kshama joined us. We checked in the Hotel Venetian. We visited some hotels of different themes, like Italian Hotel, Caesar’s Palace, Mirage Hotel and Paris Hotel etc. Their designs are just marvelous. Flowers, chandeliers and fittings are beyond description. The artistic themes of all hotels are awesome. Only seeing is believable. The show ”O” was marvelous & super.
On June 14th tour to Napa Valleys Wineries was conducted. Ms Kamlesh took us to mainly two wineries; Robert Mondovi and Peju Wineries. We not only visited there, but saw its process. Thus we enjoyed a lot.
Guddi & Dev invited their guests- Singhs & Mrs Mathur for dinner. Chicken prepared by Kirti was very tasty. We came back to dear Nutan with no storms of tears on 15th June. We were back with just smiles.
Our trip to California was well arranged by Mr. Dev, President & CEO of a big company. Though Guddi & Dev were not in perfect health and shape, they took pains to take us to all important places nearby. They planned a compact & integrated program in a limited time frame for our sake. We are over-whelmed by Dev & Kshama’s hospitality. We could never have done such wonderful sight-seeing without them. We are indebted to them for this. We met Tanuja & Anjali. Both Daughters are very caring and loving. We love their company.
In the warm water of swimming pool in the back of Dev’s house, we spent a memorable evening. We remained in the water for more than two hours watching the beautiful scene of sun-set.
Bow to Lord Sai, who made these arrangements for us through amazing Dev and Kshama, very lovable persons.
On our Wedding day i.e. 18th June Saurabh took us to a Hindu Samaj Mandir at Mahwah. It is very good temple, All our deities’ marble idols along with Lord Sai were installed. I am happy the Sai was present there to bless us. We took our dinner at a Japanese Mount Fuji Restaurant, where Hibachi style food was served. They sang song with a burning candle.
I & Navin will visit Washington DC , Niagara Falls , Virginia and Boston in near future. My last account of this trip will be finished after these trips.
The above is though a bit long narration, but it is my expression of my pleasure and happiness. Please spare some time to read it.
S.MISRA.
My US Trip 3
On Saturday, 26.06.10 we went to a Shree Krishna Temple at Braj at Pennsylvania . It is built on the line of Nath Dwara, Rajasthan , India . It is a huge temple. They have built Gowardhan Hillock, where facades of wild animals & cows are placed. there is a lake on one side of the temple campus. They serve lunch as Prasad.
Next we went to Bear Mount, which is in New York State . The awesome view of surroundings at the top of mountain is very impressive. We and families of Saurabh’s three friends had gone there for picnic. We remained at this park on Bear Mountain . There were many persons for picnicking. Many of them were cooking their food. But each family in our group had brought soft drinks, sandwiches, cakes etc. Nutan had prepared a Gujrati dish made of buns. We ate our vivid lunch there and then went for rowing on the boat in the lake. Mainly Saurabh did rowing, but Nutan & Navin also rowed for some time. We returned at 6.00 p.m.
I purchased magnetic Alarm Clocks and magnetic photo frames for each of my kids in India on 29th June. I wished happy birthday to Papa, my younger sister-Kalpana.
I like so many things in America , but there are two major minus points, which can’t be ignored. First—ninety percent persons here are suffering from allergies of different kinds. Secondly I see lack of spiritual atmosphere. Here people are too much engrossed in worldliness, materialism & sensuous pleasures. No one, neither young nor old ponder upon the other aspect of life. Concentration on the Infinite is unthinkable for them. They don’t think that yoga or strong will power can be strong medium for good health and peace of mind. Too much pills are only source of one or other physical and mental problems. They don’t believe in morning walk, yoga & intense prayer. They take junk food. Late-night enjoyments, non-vegetarian food and sensual pleasures are their favourite. They will take pills for every problem. They are very far from naturopathy. These reasons are of cause of depression, desperation & unhappiness in life. They should follow India in this matter. In short I want to say that Americans worship dollars i.e. money. Their materialistic attitude can never help in giving them peace of mind.
On 03.06.10 we set for Niagara Falls . We reached Buffalo , New York in the noon and stayed at Hotel Marriott, Buffalo for two days. This hotel is full of comforts and luxuries. I appreciate Maid of Midst. Aptly named, this world famous boat journey embarks from the base of the observation Tower at Prospect Point for a round trip into the following waters beneath American and Horseshoe Falls .
We were aboard Niagara Falls Scenic Trolley, which is environmentally friendly Trolley and enjoyed an over-view of the park in half an hour with a knowledgeable guide. We got off at Horse Shoe Falls attractions. We enjoyed and came closer to this legendary force of nature for an experience, we can never forget.
We went again in the night to the Falls and enjoyed its colorful lights and fire-works. It was awesome and amazing. It was so beautiful and gorgeous that its description is beyond expression. The huge crowd was well-managed and disciplined.
Niagara Falls Facts.
The massive volume of water of Falls flow over the Horse Shoe Falls that gives it its green color. From the Falls the water travels down the Niagara river to Lake Ontario ; then to the St. Laurence river and finally to the Atlantic Ocean .
We returned home by 6.00 p.m. As 5th July is Ch. Saurabh’s birthday we went for dinner to a Chinese Restaurant—PF Chang’s. We ate Chinese cuisine for the first time. its Lettuce Wrap is a new experience to eat. They served a special type of eatable thing in the last, in which a lucky strip was put in it, in which lines of good wishes were written. Thus whole day was spent in good mood.
Our next visit was for Washington DC On 10.06.10 we set for Washington DC at 7.00 a.m. We first went to Bipin’s house. He & Indira gave warm welcome and served good lunch, which included vegetarian dishes and non-vegetarian dishes. We were five persons—Saurabh, Nutan, Shekhar, Navin & me.
From there we went to Washington DC . There we saw White House, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial, Korean War Memorial and Capitol Hill etc. We enjoyed wonderful straight view of National Mall from Lincoln Memorial to Capitol Hill. In the end we left Shekhar at his Hotel and returned home at 12.00 in the night. On way to home we took our dinner at Taco Bell and ate a Mexican dish called Chalupa.
