usa trip

26 May

We started at home by 1630 hrs and reached airport at 1700 hrs. Immediately, I booked my baggage, said bye bye to Radha & Puja. I went inside at 1730 hrs and got immigration check done at that counter; then the custom clearance. I went into security check at 1930 hrs.

Purchased, for kavi stardust, woman’s era, India Today & Arthur Haily’s Money Exchangers..

Dubai flight took off at 9 pm (I ST )
Reached Dubai 10 PM (local time)
Took Amsterdam flight at 1 am midnight( local time)
Reached Amsterdam at 6 am (local time)

Dubai airport is beautiful and most modern; most of the airport staff are Indians.

27th May 2004

KLM started desceding to land at Dulles International airport at 1350 hrs. I could see Washington DC from about 3000ft for about 4 minutes, as the pilot made a circuit & landing.





Customs clearance was fast. finger printing of index fingers of both hands and photos of straight face and right side were taken. Luggage came all together after a wait of 20 minutes. No checking of luggage was done by customs !! amazing .
Nalin and Kavita were waiting for me. It was a nice feeling to see them in Washington DC! It was about 1430 hrs (local time) We came home by 1515 hrs. after talking for about an hour, I took bath. By 1630 hrs, I was feeling so sleepy (jetlag). with lot of difficulty, I held on till 1830 hrs. I then had dinner and slept before 7 pm. Except for going to toilet at midnight, I slept till 7 am next day; it was a solid 12 hrs of sleep. What a fatigue ! I know now what is jet lag! I had a light nagging left side head ache.I applied zandu Balm.

28th May 2004


Sudhakar and Kalyan rang up, Krishnakumari akkayya rang up, Laxmi and Vadinagaru rang up from Las Angeles. Chinni also rang up. In the evening, he came with his parents. He presented me with Chivas Regal (18) !! Wow !!! Nice to meet him and his parents. In the night Neelini and shyam dropped in to see me. The feeling that I am in USA is slowly sinking in !.

In the morning kavitha took me to a walk to a store behind their house. In the evening they took me to a giant dept store…., What a big store it is!! It was a window shopping trip. Had two pegs of Chivas Regal along with Nalin. Slept at 10 PM.Had good sleep.

Jet log disappeared totally with tonight’s sleep

One thing I noticed in DC sun sets only after 8 pm and afternoon sun is pier imply hot, as if skin is pierced by needles.

29th May 2004

At 7 am in the morning, Nalin took me to the Potomac river and park! it was fantastic!! Pristine wild life like forest and ambience. Excellent spot to spend time!! We came back at 10 am to home.

Today is a memorable day in my life! I was lucky to see and meet WWII veterns on this day of dedication of WWII monument in Washington DC to the nation by president George W Bush. President Clinton was also present. Nalin and I went by metro to this function at 12 afternoon. The function started at 2 pm. Long speeches by all those who are responsible for making this monument to come up. Tom Hanks was also one of them and he was there too!! It was a memorable occasion. I could see WWII veterans, aged between 79 to 95 years; some walking with difficulty; some with support of others and some being taken on wheel chairs. All of them were wearing full medals, rank insignias, caps with regimental emblems etc. It was a dream come true! How they fought in Atlantic, Europe and pacific!! I met few of them and took photos with them.ultimately, with president Bush speech, the function was over. A 4 aircraft formation fly past was the grand finale. We started back at 1545 hrs and reached home by 1630 hr.

30th May 2004


Got up late at 0900 hrs. I had b’fast at 1030 am. we started for Getty sberg. Kavi also came. It was a 2 hrs drive. We reached Military National park main centre (which is 1 mile short of town) at 1300 hrs. It took two hours to see the museum, which is of two stories. At 1500 hrs we walked down to main highway and had lunch at Mc Donald’s. We came back by 1530 hrs, in time for an electric lamp show of Gettysburg battle (on 1,2, and 3 July 1863). It was of half an hour duration. It was good. It could have been better. We started going round the open field with monuments showing the posititions of union and confederate armies. What a vast field and lovely monuments! The meadows were sprawling and so flush green !! Probably we walked 4 to 5 miles. My bones in legs were aching badly. Even kavi was exhausted. We could only see half of the monuments. I made a mistake in wearing the newly purchased heavy shoes. The long walk with these heavy shoes added to my misery. We reached the place where president Abraham Lincon gave his famous Gettysburg speech on 19th oct 1863. It was a satisfying moment fore me, as I wanted to see this since 1969!.

We started back at 1915 hrs and reached home at 2100 hrs and had dinner and slept at 10 pm. My body was aching because of long walk.

31st May 2004


.I got up at 7 am. Nalin made tea. Weather is inclement. So, Baltimore programme is postponed, Kavi made upma for b’fast, we had it at 0930 and packed some for my lunch . At 1020, Nalim dropped me at Metro by purchasing ticket. On my own, I went by Metro to Smithsonian National Museum. It was drizzling.

The Museum is in 3 stories, each storie with 3 wings; east,west and north. It depicts USA history is settlements from 1700 AD. The Black’s history was well shown and same is the case of Pueblos of New Mexico. The gallery of First ladies was imressive. The film shown here is really good. I finished seeing museum at 1430 hrs. I could have spent an hour more seeing more in detail, but due to yesterday’s long walk, my legs were paining.

I came out and had packed upma outside along the mall on a bench. It was raining. I reached home by Metro at 1530 hrs. we had early dinner. Kavi made Dondakaya Koora and Mudda Pappu. We went to Borders (book store).what a book store ! I purchased WWII pictorial book and civil war book. we came home by 10 pm and slept at 1030 pm.

1st June 2004


Today is a rest day. It has been very hectic. Had tasty break fast and lunch. Slept in the morning from 10am to 12 in the noon. Called Radha to wish her on her birthday. Pujita and Ashwin were also at home. They were going to Vidyanagar for a party arranged by her sister.

In the afternoon, all of us slept. Kavi went for vegetables at 4 pm. She came back at 6 PM.we all went to temple. It is an excellent Lord Shiva and Vishnu temple with all deities in clean and serene environment. On the way, kavi got dropped at Mrs Padma’s place. Then IKEA was about to close, so, came to another great book store, via Bethesda. Here Nalin stayed for 5 years before moving into Rockville. Very good ambience. Kavi wants to have a house there. Good neighbourhood.Bethesda downtown is good. Kavita showed me cinema halls and metro station of Bethesda. Tomorrow I can come on my own to see a movie here.

In the morning Nalin took me to FEDEX, US post office and a cloth store to purchase my underwear’s. I have seen a 3 tier (store) parking lot, as one sees in Hollywood movies. WOW!! We also went to a Big stationary shop. It was fabulous !

Came home by 10 pm, had dinner at 11 pm and had a small walk with Nalin. Slept by 1140 pm



2nd June 2004.


Today, I went on my own to see foreign movies in Bethesda Cinema complex. I took Metro and got down at Bethesda. To come out, it is a steep and high escalator. walked to cinema complex (10 mts)

purchased ticket for “Fal, Spring, Winter, Summer, Fall” which is a Korean movie. The ticket was$5.50. This is a mini theatre, with max 150 people capacity. It was 2 pm show. We were only 9 persons seeing the movie. It was a movie par excellence; in theme, photography presentation exquisite !! The movie was over at 1610 hrs. The next movie (French) “After Otter Left” starts at 1645 pm. so I went to bookstore next and spent time till 1640 pm. Then went to cinema complex and purchased ticket ($ 7) and saw this French Movie. We were only 10 people. I had coffee in the cafeteria,paid $ 2.50. This is also a good movie. The 90 years actress acted very well. How much we miss such classical movies in India? I would say that some of our regional movies in Bengali, Assameese, Malayalam may be of such standard and we in India do not have opportunity to see such fine movies !! It is ironical.

3rd June 2004



Nalin took me to IKEA furniture shop in the evening. What a shop it is ! Different settings of Drg Rooms, Bed rooms and Kitchens with layouts, each looking better than the other!!. Interior design, layout and decorations sounded some meaning to me. He purchased a clock for his room.



4th June 2004



Today Kavita and I went to National Institute of Health (NIH) in Medical Centre. From metro, it is so close. We went by metro from Grosvoner station at 0930 hrs. We were taken inside by Dr Vijayanti Gupta, an young girl, who was doing post doctoral research there. She patiently showed us important places and her place of work. She offered us coffee in her canteen. We noticed that two good lecture programmes on 9.6.04 and 16.6.04. I told her that I would like to attend them, both with noble laureates presiding. She welcomed my suggestion.
After the trip to National Institute of Health ( N I H ) in the morning, . kavi , Nalin and I went to woodlands hotel for lunch. It was buffet and I had good Indian food; idlis, Dosa, Rice Bagara Baigan and sambar. We also went to a neighbouring shop (dollar tree) where things are for one dollar or maximum 3$. We purchased a few items

In the evening Nalin and I went at 7pm to university of Maryland. In the physics dept (of which an Indian Dr is head. A talk was given by Dr Rajendra Singh and importance of water and its harvesting in India. He,along with the NGO….. had done yoeman service in Rajastan wrt bringng water to 5 districts by water harvesting. The talk was good. Dr Vijayanti Gupta came in the fag end.

Kavita went to pottery class. She made Lord Ganesha. It was very good. We were invited by Neelima and Shyam for dinner in their house. It was a pleasant evening. We came home at 1130 pm and slept.



5th June 2004



We drove to Raeding town airport, where mid west air museum is located. It was nearly four hours drive Via Baltimore, York and Lancashire. weather was totally inclement. It was raining and chilly. We reached the place at 1310 hrs. It was occasion of 60 yrs world war II. The theme was display of aircraft and ambience with people dressed accordingly. As we entered, one Liberator a/c was landing. What a preparation without any flaw! “Enola Gay”,the B-29 Bomber which dropped Atomic bomb on Hiroshima was there and the navigator,a Dutch was also there!! I could not believe it. Mustang, Spitfire, Lancaster a/c were also there. Also the work horse, B-45 of Berlin airlift was also there. There was the mock battle of US Army and German Army. Since the weather was very chilly and raining, we started back at 1500 hrs this time via Gettysburg. Nalin took 12 photos of mine against different back drops. Some of them with the participants. It is an excellent opportunity and dream come true for me.

On the way to home, we went to Black buster (video shop) and brought two video tapes. I purchase bread from Giant shop .

06.06.04 Sunday


I watched two video movies No mains land (French Movie) and Whale rider (newzeland movie). Both won Oscar awards and both are very good movies

In the afternoon I and Nalim went to Poww American fair. The drive was one hour. The show was good. Had achance to see the Red Indians and their dance.



In the morning, we all above to mount Vernon, where #George Washington lived! On the way, we saw old Alexandra town, Reagon Airport and river Potomac (very wide like sea). In the afternoon went to POWWOW, a native Indian event it was a very good programme

7th June 2004


I started at home after breakfast at 10 am by Metro to Mall to see Museums. First I went to the fort like looking Smithsonian Information Centre. spent an hour there and from there walked (near capitol hill ) to Air and Aerospace Museum. What information ! mind boggling!! It requires at least 3 days to see and assimilate. At 3 pm I saw a 45 minutes documentary on Helicopters in I-max theatre there. Had Bun sandwich in Mc Donald cafeteria. In the museum, each section has its own 10 minute films and at different places, the computer speaks with visuals. Everything is full of details. V-2 rocket, perishing II ICBM, Lunar Module. Apollo-11 to 17, Venus, Mars Vehicle…. There is no end!!

In the evening, we all went to Mrs Tulika’s house. Met her husband. Amber and his parents. His son is cute (4 months old). Arjun, Tulika has a WW II Battle of Britain, Veteran as neighbour. She said she would fix a rendezvous with him for me! What an opportunity.


8th June 2004


We talked to Radha at 8am local time (5 pm ist). since it was not card call, I talked to her briefly. I heard cupid barking and siren of water tanker. No eventful news from either side.

Nalin was busy with his office work. He said he did not sleep last night. We had early lunch at 1300 hrs and left to Baltimore. We had tickets for aquarium. When I saw Baltimore from highway road, it looked like USA city with harbour and ships and high rise buildings.

What an aquarium! Mind Boggling!! we were lucky to watch a live show with Dolphins. What wonderful and intelligent creatures are these? They imitate and do what the trainers tell them to do. Incredible!! Rest of the marine species and Tropical rain forest… oh! Impossible to describe in words!!!

We had beer in style like in Hollywood movies on the sea shore in a restaurant waw!. Then we went to Elliot town, (on the way to Washington) to Mrs Suryas house (husband Vijay) for dinner. Both are nice and informal couple. She is from Alwal (Malayalee). The dinner was very good.

We came home by 1015 pm .



9th June 2004

At 1215 hrs I went to Natural Institutes of Health (NIH) where I attended lectures by 3 eminent scientists who got awards from GM foundation. Their achievements were really great. It is research on cancer cure and medicines. One of them is a doctorate in chemical engineering and he switched over to Biotechnology research there after! It is not possible in India to do such switch over.

To day, late president Ronald Reagan’s body was brought from California at 5pm to Air Force Andrews Base. His body was then taken in Horse Carriage with full military honours on independence avenue to capitol hill for public view. I and Nalin left home at 1630hrs and reached mall in time. We positioned well to have a good glimpse of the funeral procession. The carriage passedour point at 1840hrs. how many visitors would come all the way and attend an ex-presidents funeral? And that too when it happened after 30 years.


10th June 2004


Nalin took me to his CITI Bank in Bethesda. He showed me a military store with whole lot of military items. I liked a belt. But it was costly, did not purchased it.
In the evening at 1630 hrs Nalin drove me to Hoodvar -Hazey Air Aerospace museum in Dulles airport. We reached at 1730. It was drizzling! John F Glenn, the WWII Air force Veteran pilot and the first American to go round the earth in space was to give inaugural speech. He was in space again in 1997 as a senator, when he was 77 years old. his wife introduced him and he spoke for an hour! He was 82 years old . it was a life time opportunity. We watched a short movie and his first space flight. This museum has CONCORD & ENOLA GAY aircrafts! Wow!! Come home by 1030 pm. Had dinner and slept at mid night.


11th June 2004


Kavita took me to meet the British WWII, Battle of Brittan Veteran near Toolikas house. He was not at home. We left for home. I then went to American Natural History Museum in Mall. It is so well equipped and laid that any anthropologist would be proud of it. I saw kids of ages from 3 to 10 yrs going round with parents and learning. I learnt a lot! Since I reached there late (12.20 pm) I could only cover ground floor. Then I went to 3D movie in Johnson I Max theatre. I saw T-Rex. Very good movie I met a WWII veteran of Navy, his wife and daughter at my food table. He is about 86 yrs old they are from a place near Buffalo. It was nice to converse with them.

In the evening Chimmy came home at 1720 to pick up me. We went by Metro to Kennedy Art Centre to watch Ludwig Van Beethovan ’s life history and his 5th symphony. It is an excellent opera house and I enjoyed the two hours from 7.15 pm to 9.30 pm. By luck, I also watched a Ballet performance given by a wheal chaired female artist along with his male partner. What a spirit these people display. The famous water gate hotel of Nixes down fall is next to this art centre.

We came home at 2245 hrs and had dinner. Chimmy left at 0045 hrs slept at 1 am.


12th June 2004


We are going today to Philadelphia. It took us 3 hrs plus to reach it viz a tunnel road under the ocean in Baltimore! It is like Bombay. An old city founded in 1606 AD. Here, the first capital of USA was there, with congress and supreme court. George Washington completed his two terms and John Adams his one term, of presidency here. Then the capital was shifted to Washington DC.we have seen all these places and the museum of Baltimore and birds of Benjamin Franklin! We had lunch and we rushed back to Maryland, as our famous meeting of AID people was there at 7 pm in Miss Vijayanti Gupta’s home. First we came home at 1630 and refreshed. Kavi made some Rajma Dal. Then we went to Vijayanti’s place at 1930pm We met Dr Bhagat and others. There were 14 people. I gave an autobiographical talk, mainly emphasizing Air Force Secular look, Social activities etc,. Gave details of construction of temple, mosque and church and also pulleti korru college. Then the example of Sri C Sudarsan ,our principal in 1959.

It was nice pot luck. All items tasted good. I enjoyed it. We came home by 12 mid night. I spoke to Puji. She is ok. kavi spoke to puji for nearly on hour . slept at 1 am.


13th June 2004


Today we got up late. Got ready by only 11am. Then kavi made a subjee and Dal with rice. I and Nalin had brunch and moved at 1230 hrs to National Zoo park by metro. It is the heart of Washington DC. such a lovely, rain forest type ambience with a very big Zoo located! You can’t imagine.I saw gaint Ponda, Orrungtons, Gorillas, Sea Lions, Birds etc,. Sea lions are like Dolphins, so intelligent!! They obey like dogs and do intelligently things, as ordered by trainer.

We came home by 5pm. Kavi came home at 6 pm. I and Nalin were hungry, so we had some sweet dishes and fruits. I took a nap of one hour and then got up. After freshening we all went to Padma and Balakrishna’s place, near temple.

What a lovely and warm couple? . Padma reminded me of Chitra sen in looks and behaviour. Kavi is lucky to have such couple to love her as their daughter. They gave some presents to Kavi, self and Radha while leaving them after dinner.

We came home at 12 midnight . Spoke to Radha for 10 minutes slept at 1 am.




14th June 2004



Again I got up late at 9 am. Had breakfast at 10 am spoke to Chy Kalyan, Sri Laxmi Pinnamma, Krishnakumari Akkaiah and Los Angles. I spoke to both laxmi and vadinagaru. I have to speak to Aswhin’s aunty, in a day or two. similarely, to Janaki. I had a light lunch at 1230 hrs. I left by metro to American Natural History Museum, which I have not covered fully last time. This time, I spent lot of time with Bears, Vertebrates, reptiles and germs sector. I saw I-Max 3D movie “Bugs” It was excellent. Then I walked to Air and space Museum and saw at 5pm in I-Max a 3d Movie SPACE STATION”. It was also excellent!! It was over by 6 pm. The museum is closed at 6 pm and hence I walked back to Metro and came home at 7 pm.

Mr Vasu, Nalin’s friend is coming for dinner at 8 pm .Hence got freshened and was ready by 7 45 pm. He came by 8.20pm. A quiet and soft person! He started Calling me uncle!! Unassuming;!Nalin and he had wine. I had scotch (thanks to chimmys Chivas Regal 18). We had generally and friendly discussion. It was a revelation to me that he was “VASUKI” who wrote the only one interview of Dawood Ibrahim in 1985 in India Today. I remember vividly!! WOW. We had dinner early and he left at 1045. we slept after one hour.


15th June 2004



I am attending a lecture by a Noble laureate …………….. in NIH tomorrow, ie 16.6.04, Wednesday. I am eagerly waiting for it.

To day Nalin accompanied me at 1310 hrs by Metro to go to National Geographic Society Building! He also showed me his office from distance. What a lovely & lively place he worked! He also showed me his first UST office where he incorporated it. It is just a telephone area in the (4 Star like) hotel “May Flower “next to NGS. He told me that he used to spend lot of time here. He then took me to White house (just walking distance). it is not at all impressive. Looks so ordinary

There after I on my own went by metro to Holocaust Museum at 1440 hrs. I went around the Museum non stop. Lot of Mini Computer & 16 MM Movies of short duration were on. What a tragedy. How could Hitler do this. Except this blot, he was such a great man & leader! I came home by 7 pm.

Tulika & her in-laws came for dinner.
we went around driving after dinner at 1045PM. We parked on the banks of potomac. Walked to Lincoln Memorial. fantastic memorial! In the lights, it was such a memorable sight!! Who ever sculpted Abraham Lincoln, he made is appear like real living Lincoln. From there straight ahead is Washington memorial ( pillar ) and ahead is capitol building. The view is exquisitic! Nalin took couple of photos of mine . we came home at 1240 AM through a jungle (right in the heart of Washington ) and slept at1.30 AM

16th June 2004.


We took rest the whole day. I saw some of the VCDS kavi got. Classic movies indeed!! I completed reading NYT and Washington post new papers; each 80 pages or more. In the evening we started at 6 PM & went round in car to Georgetown & Georgetown University. What an ambience! It looks like 16 the Century old palatial buildings. the town also was old. We walked to Potomac via street. we saw the house where Clinton stayed as a student. We met HARE RAMA HARE KRISHNA disciples of ISKON. They gave us Prasad. from this side of Potomac shore Kennedy Art Centre and water gate hotel are very close. Nalin look few photos. During the walk we crossed on payment Bob wood ward, the great journalist! What a luck!! He was walking with a friend on this busy street.

We had dinner in Ethiopian restaurant called Zed. Mrs Hillary Clinton comes offen here. it was like Indian (Andhra) food with two types of Mudda Pappu & curries. It was fabulous. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The bill with tip came to 90 dollars. Too costly. We saw all embassies & Vice President House. This is more impressive than white House.

17th June 2004



We went to ANTIETAM, where Civil War was fought between 15.9.1862 to 17.9.1862. This was the bitter battle in which on a single day, 2600 soldiers (from both sides) were killed. It was a drive around the 12 important sites. What a poignant battle filed. The sunken line (called also bloody line) is still maintained!! Here nearly half of soldiers from both sides (out of total 2600) were killed in 3 hours! This battle also turned the tide of War favourable to Unionists for the first time in the Civil War.
Nalin took few photos in the cemetery.

18th June 2004


I cooked today. Nalin & Kavi went to Gym. I was alone at home. I made kandi Pappu podi, kandi pachadi, potato curry, tomoto Pappu & annam. I relaxed till 2 PM. Nalin and kavi came around 1430 hrs. we had lunch together. Nalin appreciated my culinary skills. To my surprise. I made tasty preparations!!

Again I spent to day 4 hours reading NYT and Washington post new papers. What a task it is!! The presidential campaign news is very good.





19th June 2004.


We planned to visit New york today. in the morning kavi left for dance practice in temple. After breakfast, we started at 1030 am at home. Nalin went to SSV temple to find out the way to Murugan temple and brought packed sambar and curd rice. We picked kavi at 1145 hrs and went to Trenton at 1515 hrs. it is a small and deserted town. The monument here is an imposing tall pillar of 150’ height with a round platform on top. On top of it is the statue of George Washington. There is a black American, who took me and kavi in a vintage 5 person lift to this round platform. It is a lovely sight of Trenton from this height! But it is Scary too!! We came down and drove to the state HQ building with a Golden Coloured dome! The street is deserted. We decided to drive down to Princeton, very near to Trenton . What a lovely town! We went to Washington ferry crossing 8 miles west of Trenton. It is a lovely place. here, George Washington for the first time won a battle against British in 1776. We then went around the campus of Princeton university. It is huge. We also saw the house where scientist Einstien stayed. In the university book store. I purchased a note book! The town is centred around the university. We had dinner in a restaurant established in 1885. then, we drove down to a motel owned by a Gujarati, which is 35 miles away. The room rent is 65$. The room and facilities are very good. We reached hotel at 1145 pm. We have to leave early morning for New York by train.

We got up at 6 am and set course to railway junction by our car to catch 0814 train. We parked the car at Rly stn. The train is not full. It took us 1 hr 15 mts to reach New York. By 0945 hrs we were in Penn, the New York Rly Station. On our way out we crossed “New York Station”. The upper levels of station were like shopping malls! We had breakfast in waiting room and came out on to New York!!! Every where sky scrapers!! Even on a Sunday, it is so vibrant !! Young, children, couples, old; every one is on the streets.

We walked to Time square, wall street, Washington’s first presidency hall, WTC demolition site. all in the south Manhattan. We walked along river Hudson upto Ferry point. We took ferry to Staten Island. We ferried by the side of statue of Liberty. We returned to Ferry point at 2 pm. Then we took a taxi and went to Grand Central, which was once upon a time New York Central Rly Stn. What a grand place it is !! it is like palace. Marvellous structure with interior design!! We had Indian Lunch. Very tasty. Then went around central park! Such lovely place!! New York is a lovely and lively place brimming with energy, While DC is laid back .

We caught 1815 hrs train, came to princeton Jn Rly Stn at 8 pm and took the car. Came home at 1220 midnight.

20th June 2004



We all are tired. We decided to take rest. Poor Nalin ! He had to get up at 6 am to go for bird watching classes at 8 am. He did not have enough sleep. But the irony is that the class had limited seats and he had to come back at 1130 am. sad!!.

I cooked today dosakaya pappu, Vankaya, Aloo Kura. It is so so !! Kavi and I went to US Post Office to collect “GREEN CARD” sent by Rupa. From there, We went to Dollar store. Purchased 20$ items for gifts. Night at 6.30 pm, we went around DC monuments. Saw Jefferson and FDR and WWII monuments. Walked around . It was 8 km . We came home via book store “Politics and Prose” where lot of people were buying coupons for Bill Clinton’s book “My Life” release. It was being televised. We came home at 1030 pm. I cooked beerakaya Kura. We had dinner by 1130 pm. I finished Chivas Regal given by Chimmi.

I spoke to Hari in LA. Tried Radha. no one was picking up (9.30 am on 22/6 IST) Pujas phone was continuesly engaged. I gave it up as it was late 1 am early morning locat.

Jefforson’s movement is grand, FDR’s is not impressive at all. WW 11 memorial is ok. With lights on,Washington memorial looks grand.

Tuesday 21st June 2004



Today, we started for Norfolk to see the museum of Douglus Mc Arthur, Pacific WWII Hero, a five star general.

We started at 0800 hrs and drove via Richmond Town. It took 5 hours. It is a lovely town with tunnel road and 2 mile long bridge over bay. The Mac Arthur memorial and museum are good and upto the mark. The 15 minute film shown was good. He and his wife’s tombs are majestically placed. The 8 sector (galleries) depicted his life well.. The statue at the entrance is magnificient. What a great soldier he was! And what a ptriot!!. One of my life’s ambitions was fulfilled. I purchased a biography, a T-shirt, a spoon and other documents as memoroblia. We saw the car used by him! We talked to the librarian. He is knowledgable. I requested him for correspandance between Gen Mac Arthur and Eisenhower as well as president Truman. He got two folders for me. I saw the letters and one was on original letter from president Truman. Nalin took photograph of this. I also talked to an elderly gentleman aged 80, who met and knew Gen Mac Arthur. He said the General was regal, aloof and dignified. He did not know how to play politics and hence could not make it up for presidency.

Later, we drove to Virginia Beach. It was a private one. Kavi and I took sea bath in Atlantic Ocean! I can’t believe it !! on the return trip;we got into traffic jam. Reached home at 12 midnight.


22nd June 2004


I went alone to National Archives, Art Musuem and Asia Art museum in the Mall. I left home at 1050 hrs and reached Archives at 12 noon. I had lunch in Mcdonalds in Air and Space museum. Archives buildings and interior are really good very classy! Good sculptures and paintings!!. The archives had original letters of Declaration of Independence, Consitution and Bill of Rights!! WOW!!.

The Asia Art museum is one man’s collection! It has collections from Japan, China, Korea, Egypt, Iran’s scrolls and sculptures and few paintings. I came home by 6 pm. We went again at 7 .15 pm to Mexican restaurant to have dinner. It was tasty. at 10pm Neelini and shyam came and gave some gifts! Nice of them. I received to day the reply to my letter to Bill Clinton..


Thursday 23rd June 2004



Chimmi brought and gave me a scotch bottle and said bye bye,as he was going to Santiago! Nalin and kavi drove me in Mercedez Benz to a park and asked me to drive the Mercedez. What a lovely feeling while handling it!.

Kavi and I went to China Town to see the Building Museum. Neelini brought lunch to both of us from a Thai restaurant. Later on, she took us to the newly opened Science museum. We all came home by 5 pm. Both museums were informative and excellant!.

Friday 24th June 2004



Kavi went to Dance practice to Baltimore. She came at 2pm.We went tp camping and wild life walk to OHIOPYLE (4 ½ hrs journey) we camped at wood bridge road No60. it was raining whole night. The tent was wet. We had a briefing about bears and a film also was shown. It was quite informative.With difficulty we slept in jungle at1am . I was subconsciously worried about sudden attack by bear. .

Saturday 25th June 2004

Got up at 0630 am. Had bath etc. finished breakfast at 9am. Wished kavita and Nalin a very happy wedding Anniversary. I wish I Were in India. . Packed all the belongings in the two suitcases. Kavi purchased my swim trunk and a T-Shirt for Bhagawati. Spoke to chy Sudhakar and got Chy Ranjan’s number in Dubai. Called Ranjan and talked to him..
From Los Angles, vadinagaru also called and said Bonvoyage. From Ohio pyle, we went to Pittsburg, via fort… where George Washington fought and lost his battle, his only battle lost during the 12 years independence war he fought against Britain. In the morning we went with a guide to wild flower trek. Kavita knows lot about flowers and birds. She even impressed the guide.

At Pittsburgh we had lunch at Udipi Hotel and we went to Sri Venkateswara Temple. Temple is very big and Idol is powerful.

We started back at 3.45 pm and reached home at 9 pm

Sunday 26th June 2004



To day I am leaving USA for India. I had a hectic, racy and jam Packed 28 days stay. Nalin and Kavi made sure that I saw what I wanted to see. It was a very satisfied and contented trip. With a heavy heart I am leaving Nalin and Kavi. They drove me to Dulles Airport at 1400 hrs. I bade farewell to them. I boarded the flight at 1630 hrs.




My Impressions of the Trip



1. dubai and Amsterdam airports have impressed me. When does any of our airports come to that standard. Dulles airport in USA is like Dum Dum airport in Kolkata, just normal, nothing to speak of.

2. Traffic is very orderly. I have not seen any policeman or I have not heard anyone honking during my 28 days stay and travel in USA.

3. Rest Rooms along with cafetarias is an unique phenomenon. It serves both purposes.( Loading and unloading.)

4. While walking, one wishes you “Hello” and when talking “Have a Good Day”.

5. In Annapolis, I saw many couples of different colours. A white and a black either wife or a husband .

6. Americans know how to respect their leaders. Their monuments and museums are well maintained. I am impressed with General Douglas Mc Arthur museum in Norfolk.


7. I was fortunate to be in USA and that too in its capital, during 28 May 04 to 26 Jun 04. During these 28 days, many events took place and I was lucky to witness them. These are:-

(a) Funeral of the President Ronald Reagon
(b) Inauguration of II world war memorial by president George W Bush
(c) I saw and heard Mr John Glenn, first American to orbit around the Earth. He is a Veteran of WWII. He was also a senator
(d) I saw and touched aircraft (bomber) ENOLA GAY which dropped Atom Bomb on Hiroshima on 6.8.1945. I also saw the Dutch navigator, who was on this flight.
(e) I met two Medical Noble lauriates in MIN and also heard their lectures.
(f) I met, shook hands and took pictures with WWII veterans.
(g) I attended the fifth symphony of Beethoven in Kennedy Art Centre.
(h) I visited Getteys Berg and Antietam battle fields of Civil War.
(i) I visited Trenton and Trenton crossing. Here George Washington won the first battle against British army during American war of Independence .
(j) I saw the house where Einstein stayed as well as his office and department in princeton University.
(k) I attended POWOW, a cultural dance programme of native Indians.
(l) I happened to cross on the road while walking, Mr Bob Wood Ward, the famous Journalist of Watergate fame!.
(m) Smith sonian Museums on Mall in DC are simply fabulous.
(n) I visited Gen Duglous MC Arthur Museum in Norfork. Here I saw orginals of letters written by Gen Eisenhower and president Truman to the General.