The transition ......

 It has been two whole months since I left India. It just feels like yesterday, when I started packing to

leave to pursue my Masters. Wow. How time flies! I bet these two years are going to fly away even before I realize.

 23^rd August, 2012. It was a day filled with mixed feelings. Packing was almost over and only last minute additions were left. I was flying by Lufthansa and hence I was “allowed” only two suitcases, and for some reason I felt that it was just not enough, with all the clothes and shoes and books and bags to carry, are you kidding me?  (I’m sure my parents thought otherwise and were pretty pleased with Lufthansa). I woke up that morning, feeling that I’d probably sleep on my own bed only a year later, and I knew I’d miss my room, my cozy bed and everything that I've been used to for the last 9-10 years.

Although, I've already lived away from home in a hostel, during my engineering, this was going to be different. United States is not India. Period.  While living in a hostel, every time I missed home or home-food, all I had to do was catch a train and 7.5 hours later, I’d be home. Now, I knew I wouldn't have that choice. But I dint feel the gravity of that feeling so much, I was still excited about the fact that I was travelling alone to the US for the first time. Independence has always enthralled me.

The day just went by in telling all my friends and family bye. Calling people and talking, people visiting home, trying to think if I left out something, printing the tickets and cross checking all the documents kept me busy the whole day. But when I had to move all my suitcases from my room to the ground floor just to do a final check on the weight, that’s when it hit, hit me hard in my head. I walked out of my room; I knew I’d miss it, every bit of it. Going to the airport was thankfully a small affair. It was just my dad, my mum and me. No crying. No weeping. Just hugging. And a tiny little lump in my throat.

After I entered the airport, I was actually looking forward to what was in store for me. It was a “Here I come Boston” feeling!!! Had a wonderful journey; in the first leg of the flight I slept like a log. I managed to take a refreshing shower at the Frankfurt International Airport. Showers always make me feel better. It helps me relax and take my mind off things when I’m not in a good mood. It feels like “washing away” the negative emotions. The second leg however, I remember watching a movie, but I can’t recall which one. But what I clearly remember is the landing; I landed into Boston on a beautiful sunny, yet chill, afternoon. Needless to say, it is a beautiful city.

All this feels like just yesterday. And it has been two whole months already. Eventful two months, I’d like to say. It has been a roller coaster ride. There will always be ups and downs, I choose to remember and cherish only the ups J

Around mid September-ish we started to witness the lovely fall colors. Boston fall is worth falling for; it is the city of distinct seasons. I have not seen anything in this world that looks more beautiful than these fall colors. I think the transition from summer to fall to winter is just so beautiful. Another thing that anyone would notice here in Boston is that, it shares a lot of similarities with Europe. The culture, and the architecture; and to maintain this, even the buildings that have been recently built retain the Georgian style of architecture.  This by itself adds beauty to the city. I cannot believe that in one month I've adapted and acclimatized myself to this new environment and even grown to like it. And probably two years from now, like a true Bostonian, I may scream out “Go Red Sox”!!!