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Story of a 16 year old in America

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I was 16 yrs of age, having just graduated from 12th, when I first visited the US. Memory is fuzzy about the events more than 20 years back. However, re-living past memories is sometimes fun and this is the primary reason for starting this multi-part series of my experiences in the US.

Let me set up some of the events that happened prior to the start of the long trip to the US from India. I underwent hernia operation, got my 12th results and went through a visa interview.  Between advices given by well wishers about what to expect and what to do in the US, I was a confused lot.

I am shy by nature (or at least I was at the time) and hence, a bit apprehensive about how I would be received by my relatives there.  I supposedly had met briefly in India, but didn't recollect much. Having studied in Porbandar and having gone through my school primarily talking in Hindi, I was a little embarrassed by my command over English.  In hindsight, I think my doubts over my command of English were unfounded.

When the day arrived, my mom and I boarded the Panam flight that would take us to JFK airport in New York and from there to Detroit Metro Airport where my aunt and cousins would come receive me. As soon as I boarded the flight at an insane hour, I promptly fell asleep.  I don't know how much time had passed, but when I woke up, the flight was on the ground. I thought I had arrived in the US.  That was not to be since, the right engine had caught fire and we had to disembark.  We were made to stay in Centaur (near Mumbai airport).  I was excited to see my cousins, aunt, uncle, dad one more time. I remember practicing how to ride an escalator.  Yes, those were the days!

I don't quite remember what happened when I arrived at the Detroit airport but do remember my cousin came to pick us up in a van.  I remember being in awe of a clean city.  When I reached my aunt's place, another one of relatives had recently arrived in Canada from India.  He was visiting Detroit at the time.  I remember taking off on a walk with him.  We walked & talked for quite a bit before we realized we are not in the greatest of the areas in Detroit. I don't think I even thought about anything bad being there in Detroit or the US. I would later find out there was a lot to be careful of.

More in the next chapter... Feedback welcome!


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