|
|
|
|
Articles: My Experience | The American Sky
- Ms. Radhika Kameswari Bukka
| |
There I was standing and gazing at the infinite constellation of stars in the sky and thinking “where did I come to, the other side of the world, into the unknown land and yes, even the sky seemed unknown.” The chilled winter gust of Long Island then made me realise that, yes indeed, I am in a different part of the world, amidst strange set of people and under a different sky, “The American Sky”.
On my first evening at my client’s office in Edgewood, Long Island, I found myself alone outside the office, waiting for the cab to come, pick me up and safely transport me to the destination, my hotel. Little did I know at that point of time, what I had to face after few moments. I was happy about the way the day had passed, the friendly nature of the clients and about the very fact that it was my first Client site visit, when I saw an “Arties Cab” coming my way. “At last!” I thought to myself and happily got seated in the cab. The driver asked, “Where do you want to go?” Well, I was prepared for that question. Confidently replied, “Residence Inn, Hauppauge.” By this time, the cab was going ahead at an amazing speed. Then the most unexpected, undesired question “Now, where is that?” came from the cab driver. Being very much used to the autos of Hyderabad, I said “You are supposed to know it!” That started the chaos.
It was not yet 24 hours since I have landed in the US by then. When the hotel vehicle dropped me at the office in the morning, they themselves were confused about the way, but have assured me saying the cab drivers would know it better, as they can communicate with the central office to find out and all I had to say is - Residence Inn, Hauppauge. I was happy to know that, as I hardly knew about the Exits, the Express Ways and the Park Ways. I was as confused as anybody can be in the middle of nowhere.
When the reality pinched me hard, I was waiting for a response from the cab driver, bewildered! Little did I know what to do next. “Now, what do you think of me,” came the answer, “am I staying there or are you?”, “how in the world will I know where you want to go.” I had nothing to say, nothing to think except looking blankly at the driver. The very fact I wanted to hide, that I was NEW to that place, was my only solace. But wanted to save the best for last.
The driver took me here, took me there, and took me everywhere, asking me if I can identify even an inch of that area where I was supposed to go. My voice became feeble with each “No” as an answer, and his voice was becoming harsher. “Is this the way, young lady, you are supposed to travel in New York, without knowing the place? How negligent!” was the softest anguish from his side.
I had nothing much to do than keeping my fingers crossed and trying hard to recognise the place on that dark night.
After one and a half hours of what am I suppose to call it, I finally, safely arrived at my hotel, the total credit going to the cab driver.
When I was signing on the business card, he said, “I understand you are new to this place, but you are supposed to know the route, somehow. It is not safe in New York this way. Also, I was not in a good mood.” I thanked profoundly.
I never again had this problem, as I could recognise all the surrounding areas too, thanks to this unexpected adventure. Later, when I looked at the Sky, I smiled at the “American sky,” as after all it is the same sky, and only the place from which I was looking at it was different. So is it with people. No matter which part of the world they belong to, the basic human nature remains the same, warmth in the heart for the fellow being.
| Read 6 Comment(s) posted so far on this Article!
| |
|
|
|
 |
| Advertisements |
|
|
|
|
| Advertisements |
|
