At the outset, let me state clearly that i had always been a staunch defender of AIR INDIA whenever someone criticized it, out of a sense of patriotism (which, i now realize, is alas, misplaced). What changed my heart ? Read on......
I and Bharathi left Chicago on 17th June'2010 to return home to Hyderabad by Air India flight AI 126. Our problems started at O'Hare Airport when we checked in. Let me state that in the month of May'10 i visited their web site and tried to get our seats against our confirmed tickets that were originally booked in Chicago. I was greeted with a message that ASR is not working currently (ASR = Advance Seat Reservation). After several trials over the next few days, i got in touch with our 'desi' travel agent who made our bookings. After a while he told me that he too has the same problem and message and can not help.
So, when we checked in at O'Hare, i asked the girl in the counter to provide us two seats together out of which one should be 'aisle'. She checked up and said that no 'aisle' seats are available and no two seats together are available !!!! When i protested saying that i couldn't get their ASR for a month on the web, she smiled and told me it rarely works and she can not help (she was an American girl). Finally she gave us 20B and 20E , both middle seats, but, in the same row. After we got into the aircraft, i asked the 'AIR AUNTY' to help us and she told me to try it at a personal level with our neighbours on the flight for a 'friendly exchange'. When i told her about ASR, she too said it never works. She said that i could have visited their office in advance in person and tried.
Now, if you are wondering about the term 'AIR AUNTY' , i find that the female staff on board an Air India flight can be classified into two - majority of them are 'AIR AUNTIES' who are aged, overweight, hardly move, rarely smile and answer you with a sad look. The minority are what we normally call 'AIR HOSTESS' who are young, energetic , smiling and helpful. They even do the mistake of calling you a 'Sir'. AIR INDIA has a lot of AIR AUNTIES and only a few AIR HOSTESSES.
Having been duly advised, i managed to exchange 20 E with 20A so that we had one window and one middle seat, but , grateful that we are together on the long flight. And luckily, 20 C was another 'telugu guy' so we could disturb him, as often as we wanted.
We took off on time at 4-05 pm and landed at Frankfurt at 7-30am (all local times please). I was upset to see that there was no 'Aero Bridge' and we are required to climb down the stairs. Now, we had a strolley which was a bit heavy because of a laptop. Bharathi had to carry that and go down the steps while i limped along behind her with my backpack and one hand holding the supporting rail.
We were loaded into a bus and after a few minutes were asked to get off. We entered the airport terminal and walked into the security check. It was a thorough check and once we were through we looked up at a huge display board that showed 1C against flight AI 126 to Mumbai. We looked around in vain for any Air India staff to guide us, and not finding any, we started following others. We walked for a mile or so, often in doubt, where we were going. It reminded me of a scene from old hit 'Gumnam' - only thing missing was the song .... Gumnam hai koi..... Suddenly everybody stopped, because one of those who were leading the pack managed to ask some airport staff in German for directions and we took an escalator to one level below and another display board which now said the gate is C 20 in terminal 1C. So we walked on , manfully, the young and the old, the women and the children, another half a mile, to Gate C 20, which by the way is the LAST GATE. There we entered the Transit lounge and mercifully rested our bottoms on the comfortable chairs. Our relief was short lived because, another display board here showed that our flight would leave at 11-45am and not at scheduled 930am. We were aghast, we did not know the reasons for the delay.
The Transit lounge was very comfortable in terms of seating, ambiance and Rest Rooms. The only problem was there was NO DRINKING WATER and NO STALLS where we could buy one. The bold ones walked back a half a mile and bought what they wanted. You guessed it right, we did not dare. Around 10am one of the Air India staff came on the Public Address System and told us that the flights to Mumbai, Ahemadabad and Delhi all got delayed because the flight coming in from Newark got delayed. It should be here soon and then we should be boarding soon. He also said SORRY but hardly sounded really sorry. When i asked one of the staff there about lack of drinking water he just shrugged. Finally our flight was called and we were taken by a bus all the way back to our aircraft (the same one we landed). We trudged up the steps again warily and collapsed into our seats again. Bharathi wondered aloud why we had to go to the other end of the airport for a transit lounge without water and come back all the way. SOME ONE SAID IT COSTS AIR INDIA LESS THAT WAY, PASSENGERS BE DAMNED!!!!! I do not know if it is true but would certainly like to know Air India's answer. We finally took off around 12-30pm (against scheduled 9-30am), a three hour delay.
We were about 80 miles from Mumbai and were expecting to land around 11-45pm when the pilot announced over PA that this is the monsoon season and there is a rain and the ATC advised us to be on the 'HOLD' and may take an hour more. So, there we were, circling over the Arabian sea for an hour and fifteen minutes. Now, Bharathi, my dear wife of 42 years, is a worrying type, and was not exactly happy with the idea of circling over the sea for more than an hour. Finally, we landed at Mumabi at 1am. After going through a quick security check (which was hardly any thing compared to what we had in Frankfurt) we were asked to proceed to Gate No 4. When we were passing through the Duty Free Shops which were dazzling, my wife said that Mumbai airport looks good now compared to last year. But alas, IT WAS A LITTLE PREMATURE COMMENT. When we neared our destination we had to go one level down. THE ESCALATOR WAS NOT WORKING AND THE STAIR CASE HAD PEOPLE SITTING ON BOTH SIDES ALONG THE SUPPORTING RAILS LEAVING A NARROW PATH TO WALK DOWN.
NOW, JUST IMAGINE OUR PLIGHT, WALKING DOWN THE STAIRCASE WITH A STROLLEY AND WITH NO SUPPORTING HAND RAILS.
I SAID TO BHARATHI 'WELCOME HOME'.
By divine grace we managed to climb down the stairs without an accident and entered the lounge at Gate 4 which was already chokeful of people. MERCIFULLY, TRUE TO INDIAN VALUE SYSTEM, TWO YOUNGSTERS GOT UP AND GAVE THEIR SEATS TO US, GOD BLESS THEM. There was a stall near by where we could have bought some water but we did not dare for two reasons - it meant we could lose our seats and it also required courage to make one's way through the mad rush there.
They kept on announcing that flights to Bangalore and Hyderabad are delayed because incoming flights are delayed , AS IF IT WAS THE PASSENGERS WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.
Finally we were asked to board and our flight took off for Hyderabad around 4 am on 19th , a delay of three hours.
Once we landed at SHAMSHABAD at 5-30am, it was like a dream. The whole process of immigration, baggage collection (paid porters were plenty) and walking out took JUST HALF AN HOUR. We got the cab without any problem and were back home in jiffy.
LEARNING POINTS
1) AVOID TRANSITING THROUGH MUMBAI IF YOU CAN, LIKE PLAGUE
2) BEST TO FLY LUFTHANSA WITH JUST ONE HALT AT FRANKFURT ON THE CHICAGO-HYD SECTOR. ( FRANKFURT IS THEIR HOME BASE)
3)BLOCK YOUR SEATS AT THE TIME OF BOOKING YOUR TICKETS, THAT IS YOUR ONLY CHANCE.
4) NEVER ASK THE AIR AUNTIES FOR ANY HELP, THEY ARE LEAST INTERESTED IN YOUR 'MINOR' PROBLEMS
5) DEMONSTRATE YOUR PATRIOTISM IN OTHER WAYS, AVOID FLYING AIR INDIA.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
TRIP TO WASHINGTON DC - DAY 5 - 11-04-10
WASHINGTON MONUMENT:
The last item on the agenda was a trip to the Washington Monument. While you can visit this monument free, you need a free ticket to go up the 555' tall monument in an elevator. These tickets are issued on a daily basis at the site on a first come first served basis. I was very keen to go up the monument. We were planning to check out at 12 noon and leave for home, so we decided that Chandu and I would make a trip and try our luck.
We started as early as possible, but, still managed to reach there only by 9am and we could get free tickets only for 11-30am. We tried to plead with the guard there, but, it didn't work this time. I was disappointed that i could not go up ( if you have read Lost Symbol, you would know why). However, we spent an hour there going round the monument and taking pictures.
It is shaped like an Egyptian obelisk, stands 555' 5 1/8" tall and offers views in excess of 30 miles.It was built in honor of George Washington who lead the country to independence in the war against the British and later became the first president of USA.It was finished in dec'1884.
The circular concourse is made entirely of white stone except for two decorative courses of dark stone which form two concentric circles around the monument (circumpunct?). The capstone weighs 3300 pounds and is made of marble.It is topped with a 9" pyramid of cast aluminum ( which was a rare metal in those days). As per Dan Brown that has an engraving of "LAUS DEO" (Praise God) but i had no way of verifying it. But no reason to doubt it either.
The observation deck at 500' offers an excellent view - to the East is the Capitol , to the North is the White House , to the West is Lincoln Memorial and to the south is Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial. This is the cross roads of America!!
We returned to the hotel by 11-30am, checked out by 12-30pm, had lunch at a Bombay Restaurant a Silver Spring and left around 2pm.We had excellent weather right through the drive. We reached Maumee, Toledo (Ohio) around 11pm and checked into Residence Inn, Marriott there. On the way we had our dinner of Panera bread Sandwiches at a service plaza.
We left next morning at 10am after a nice and leisurely breakfast , reached Chicago at 2pm, had lunch at Madras Restaurant at Ogden and reached home at 3pm on Monday the 12th April.Thus ended a wonderful trip, and, a long time wish fulfilled.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
TRIP TO WASHINGTON DC - DAY 4 - 10-04-10
If you want to take a guided tour of the Capitol you have to obtain a free pass either online (issued in limited numbers) or at the site (again limited numbers). We were able to get passes on line for the tour at 9-30am on Saturday.As this involved a very early start, it was decided that I and Bharathi would go first and make the tour while the other three would join us later. As i was pretty confident of going on our own they let us go armed with Madhuri's cellphone.
We were dropped off at Silver Spring Metro station by Chandu at 7-45am. We took the Red line to Metro center and Blue line from there to Capitol South and reached there by 8-45am. From there it is a long walk to the entrance of Capitol Visitor center.
CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER:
This is located on the east front at First street and East Capitol street. Entry to this is free from 8-30am to 4-30pm , Mon-Sat.This is a very modern construction underground of 58000 sq.ft area with the entry at ground level. After a very thorough security check and trashing all the water bottles that we were carrying we were let in.
We go one level down to the main hall called the 'Emancipation hall. The hall has four skylights which provide excellent light and also a great view of the Capitol dome. The hall has a plaster model of the STATUE OF FREEDOM which rests atop the Capitol dome. Isn't it an irony that this statue was put there by slave laborers!!!! But that is history and America has corrected that.
The hall also has a touchable model of the capitol dome and twenty four statues representing the diversity of USA. It also has a 186' long Wall of aspiration having some historic documents. From there we go to the guided tour of Capitol.
CAPITOL:
We are first taken into a orientation theater and shown a 13 minute film titled "OUT OF MANY,ONE ( E PLURIBUS UNUM), the theme on which America is built. It is something like the Unity in Diversity that Nehru used to talk about. From there we are taken to the Capitol Rotunda and a few other halls that house historic,significant paintings and sculptures.
The highlight of the trip was the visit to the CAPITOL ROTUNDA - a huge circular hall lined with spectacular paintings and 186' above the hall is the Dome. As you look up at the inside of the dome high above you see the fabulous fresco of APOTHEOSIS OF WASHINGTON.This is a 4664 sq.ft fresco that covers the canopy of the Rotunda and was completed in 1865 by CONSTANTINO BRUMIDI.
On the central panel of the fresco is George Washington dressed in white robes, attended by thirteen maidens, and ascending on a cloud to heavens, above mortal men. This is the moment of his Apotheosis ( meaning transformation) into a God. Nearby are several ancient Roman Gods presenting American forefathers knowledge. Minerva giving technological inspiration to Ben Franklin, Robert Fulton and Samuel Morse. Vulcan helping build a steam engine. Neptune demonstrating cable laying and Ceres, Goddess of Food, sitting on a McCormick reaper. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER seems to be the theme. After a one hour tour and several pictures we were back in the visitor center. Visitors are not allowed into the Senate or House of Commons, for which one has to obtain passes well in advance through the Congressman or Senator.
We came out just in time to receive the other three, and, while we took care of Sreeya and played with her, Madhuri and Chandu did a quick tour of the visitor center. We took a cab from there and went to a subway for a lunch of sandwiches and coke. From there we took another cab and went to the White House visitor center.
WHITE HOUSE VISITOR CENTER:
This is located on SE corner of 15th and E streets. It is open all days 7-30am to 4pm and entry is free. A guided tour of White House is only possible if planned at least a couple of months in advance. In the center we sat comfortably and watched a very nice Video that takes us on a guided tour of White House. The video starts with a welcome by the First lady and ends with a good bye speech from President Obama. The Video is wonderful guided tour and also gives us historic tidbits. Across the road is the Freedom Plaza and we took a walk there. From there we
took another cab and proceeded to Lincoln Memorial.
LINCOLN MEMORIAL:
In the National mall, the three great monuments are in a straight line. At the eastern end is the Capitol, at the western end is the Lincoln Memorial and at the center is the great obelisk, Washington memorial.
I have been a great fan of Abraham Lincoln from my school days when i first learned about his definition of Democracy as the government of the people, by the people and for the people. I read with reverence about his role in abolition of slavery and the heavy price he paid for that (his life).
The Memorial is open 24x7 as befitting a great leader of the people. the Memorial is a huge hall at a good height accessed by climbing several steps. In this hall with three walls and the front open is the huge statue of Lincoln sitting on a throne. The view from the top is breathtaking - all three great structures in a line. On the southern wall is inscribed his famous Gettysburg address where he spoke of......government of the people,by the people and for the people..... On the northern wall is his very impressive second inaugural speech.
We were dead tired but had to walk a bit before we got a cab that took us to Federal triangle station from where we took the train to Metro Center and the Red line from there to silver Spring. It being a Saturday, there was no hassle for public parking there and it was free too. We reached our hotel at 8pm.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
TRIP TO WASHINGTON DC - DAY 3 - 09-04-10
We were advised to use Metro rail rather than our car for sight seeing due to parking problems in the Mall area. The Silver Spring Metro station was about 15 minutes drive from our hotel. We planned on an early start , but, managed to leave hotel around 9-30am. It was an unusually cold and windy day. It took us a bit of time to find a all day public parking and finally we entered the station past 10am.
The Metro rail is very convenient and very popular public transport in Washington DC. There are four lines operating in different routes - Red, Blue, Orange and Green. They overlap sometimes and intersect at convenient points for transfer from one route to another. Silver Spring is on Red line and we bought a all day ticket for $ 8 per head and boarded the train. We got off at Metro Center and transferred to an Orange which was one level below us and got off at Smithsonian. Most of the stations are underground but a few are at the ground level too. The trains were comfortable and well maintained.
NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM:
This museum is located on the Independence Avenue and 4th street. Even as you enter the museum the first exhibit that hits your eye is the APOLLO 11 Command Module " COLUMBIA" on display. I recalled the thrill of man's first landing on moon and the famous quote of Armstrong "... a small step for man but a giant leap for mankind.."
Upstairs we visited the WRIGHT BROTHERS 1903 FLYER and spent sometime there.You look at that first aircraft made and flown by them and you realize how much progress man has made in the twentieth century.
There were a number of other rockets and planes on display and there was quite a rush too. We spent an hour there and then walked down to our next destination National Archives.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES :
The National Archives is located at 700, Pennsylvanian Avenue.We sat outside while Chandu went to get our lunch of subway sandwiches. My interest in the Archives was ignited more than a decade back when i read Jeffrey Archer's book "Honour among Thieves". ( if you have not read it i recommend it). This museum has on display THE ORIGINAL CHARTERS OF FREEDOM.
Entry to the museum is through free passes some of which can be booked in advance on internet and some of which are issued at the museum on a daily basis. We couldn't get the advance booking through internet and there was a very long Q for the other passes. I found a much shorter Q for those with internet booked passes. The original documents are stored in underground vaults and pulled out at specified times of the day. As per the information on web site on that Friday there were two more pull outs at 2-30pm and 3-30pm. I didn't want to miss at any cost, so, left my folks saying that i would try my luck.
I went and joined the short Q of special passes. When i reached the gate i told one of the black officers there that i have come from far off India, could not get the pass on the web, it was my ambition to see the Original charters of freedom as they are sacred and could the officer help me. I must have sold my self well because he just said " sir, you come with me" and took me past the security (after a check of course) straight to the Exhibition hall where they were on display. Others must have thought i was some VIP visitor as he escorted me!!!!!!!
I saw the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution and the Bill of Rights (collectively known as charters of freedom). I also saw the original 1297 MAGNA CARTA on display there. What really impressed me was the care with which these centuries old documents are preserved by the Government at a great cost and revered by the people. I thanked the officer profusely while leaving the museum because he made a dream come true for me. When i joined my group they were just finishing their lunch and were very happy for me.
Our next destination was the Holocaust Museum and we took a cab there.
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM :
Back in seventies i have read several books on Nazi atrocities , Concentration camps and Gas chambers, mostly by Leon Uris. I was deeply moved by this genocide and mass extermination of people by Hitler. Thus, the Holocaust Museum was a must see for me.
This is located at 100, Raoul Wallenberg Place,SW. There was a heavy rush of tourists at this place too. There is permanent exhibition for which entry is only through daily passes and they ran out by the time we went there. However, there were many other things to see there.
We saw a 15 minute movie called LIBERATION in a auditorium there. It included the stories of holocaust survivors and their liberators ( in first person), soldiers who freed the victims from the concentration camps. It was very touching and left a lump in my throat.
We also saw a very touching exhibition " Remembering the children- Daniel's story" which tells us the story of Holocaust as witnessed and suffered by Daniel, a young jewish boy in Germany, with a almost real life depiction through pictures and his diary.
I climbed up several steps with Chandu along and visited the Hall of Remembrance where we pay a silent tribute to the six million jews who were exterminated by Hitler and the Nazis in the concentration camps.
We returned to our hotel by the same route by 7-30pm, tired but satisfied.
The Metro rail is very convenient and very popular public transport in Washington DC. There are four lines operating in different routes - Red, Blue, Orange and Green. They overlap sometimes and intersect at convenient points for transfer from one route to another. Silver Spring is on Red line and we bought a all day ticket for $ 8 per head and boarded the train. We got off at Metro Center and transferred to an Orange which was one level below us and got off at Smithsonian. Most of the stations are underground but a few are at the ground level too. The trains were comfortable and well maintained.
NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM:
This museum is located on the Independence Avenue and 4th street. Even as you enter the museum the first exhibit that hits your eye is the APOLLO 11 Command Module " COLUMBIA" on display. I recalled the thrill of man's first landing on moon and the famous quote of Armstrong "... a small step for man but a giant leap for mankind.."
Upstairs we visited the WRIGHT BROTHERS 1903 FLYER and spent sometime there.You look at that first aircraft made and flown by them and you realize how much progress man has made in the twentieth century.
There were a number of other rockets and planes on display and there was quite a rush too. We spent an hour there and then walked down to our next destination National Archives.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES :
The National Archives is located at 700, Pennsylvanian Avenue.We sat outside while Chandu went to get our lunch of subway sandwiches. My interest in the Archives was ignited more than a decade back when i read Jeffrey Archer's book "Honour among Thieves". ( if you have not read it i recommend it). This museum has on display THE ORIGINAL CHARTERS OF FREEDOM.
Entry to the museum is through free passes some of which can be booked in advance on internet and some of which are issued at the museum on a daily basis. We couldn't get the advance booking through internet and there was a very long Q for the other passes. I found a much shorter Q for those with internet booked passes. The original documents are stored in underground vaults and pulled out at specified times of the day. As per the information on web site on that Friday there were two more pull outs at 2-30pm and 3-30pm. I didn't want to miss at any cost, so, left my folks saying that i would try my luck.
I went and joined the short Q of special passes. When i reached the gate i told one of the black officers there that i have come from far off India, could not get the pass on the web, it was my ambition to see the Original charters of freedom as they are sacred and could the officer help me. I must have sold my self well because he just said " sir, you come with me" and took me past the security (after a check of course) straight to the Exhibition hall where they were on display. Others must have thought i was some VIP visitor as he escorted me!!!!!!!
I saw the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution and the Bill of Rights (collectively known as charters of freedom). I also saw the original 1297 MAGNA CARTA on display there. What really impressed me was the care with which these centuries old documents are preserved by the Government at a great cost and revered by the people. I thanked the officer profusely while leaving the museum because he made a dream come true for me. When i joined my group they were just finishing their lunch and were very happy for me.
Our next destination was the Holocaust Museum and we took a cab there.
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM :
Back in seventies i have read several books on Nazi atrocities , Concentration camps and Gas chambers, mostly by Leon Uris. I was deeply moved by this genocide and mass extermination of people by Hitler. Thus, the Holocaust Museum was a must see for me.
This is located at 100, Raoul Wallenberg Place,SW. There was a heavy rush of tourists at this place too. There is permanent exhibition for which entry is only through daily passes and they ran out by the time we went there. However, there were many other things to see there.
We saw a 15 minute movie called LIBERATION in a auditorium there. It included the stories of holocaust survivors and their liberators ( in first person), soldiers who freed the victims from the concentration camps. It was very touching and left a lump in my throat.
We also saw a very touching exhibition " Remembering the children- Daniel's story" which tells us the story of Holocaust as witnessed and suffered by Daniel, a young jewish boy in Germany, with a almost real life depiction through pictures and his diary.
I climbed up several steps with Chandu along and visited the Hall of Remembrance where we pay a silent tribute to the six million jews who were exterminated by Hitler and the Nazis in the concentration camps.
We returned to our hotel by the same route by 7-30pm, tired but satisfied.
Monday, April 19, 2010
TRIP TO WASHINGTON DC - DAY 2
After a good night's rest, we had a hearty breakfast of fruit juice, fruit, cereal , muffins and bread toast and left Youngstown at 10-30am. we took I 76 E to Pittsburgh. At 10-45am we enterd Pennsylvania state. We branched off to 279 south to go to Pittsburgh and arrived at the temple in Monroville by 11-45am.
The Sri Venkateswara temple at Pittsburgh was built in 1976 and was the first big hindu temple in USA. It is affiliated to the TTD. It is alocated atop a hill and amidst picturesque surroundings and has a very serene atmosphere.There was hardly any rush and we had a very satisfying darshan of the Lord Balaji and other dieties. We spent an hour and half there.
About a mile from the temple is a UDIPI HOTEL. We had an excellent lunch of 'thali meal' there. If you are ever in that neighbourhood, don't miss it. We left at 2pm and had a lovely drive through the hilly penn state in excellent weather. We reached our destination SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND at about 7pm. The last half an hour drive was through a crawling peak hour traffic.
We checked into the Residence Inn, Marriott, at 7pm. Suite # 331 is an identical accommodation.
The Sri Venkateswara temple at Pittsburgh was built in 1976 and was the first big hindu temple in USA. It is affiliated to the TTD. It is alocated atop a hill and amidst picturesque surroundings and has a very serene atmosphere.There was hardly any rush and we had a very satisfying darshan of the Lord Balaji and other dieties. We spent an hour and half there.
About a mile from the temple is a UDIPI HOTEL. We had an excellent lunch of 'thali meal' there. If you are ever in that neighbourhood, don't miss it. We left at 2pm and had a lovely drive through the hilly penn state in excellent weather. We reached our destination SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND at about 7pm. The last half an hour drive was through a crawling peak hour traffic.
We checked into the Residence Inn, Marriott, at 7pm. Suite # 331 is an identical accommodation.
TRIP TO WASHINGTON DC - DAY 1
We left our home at Aurora at 1pm with Chandu driving the almost new Dodge caravan min van. It started raining even before we left downtown chicago. Madhuri told us that thunderstorms/ rain is predicted all along our route that day.
We took the I 80 E out of Chicago and soon entered Indiana at Gary.The rain/ storm was with us right through our drive through Indiana. It was scary at times due to poor visibility / heavy downpour, but, chandu was cool and his driving top class. We crossed the state line into OHIO at about 5pm (205 miles from home) . The rains finally left us around 7pm. We stopped at one of the service plazas at 8pm and had a fill of 'Pulihora' for dinner along with chapattis which we brought from home. We reached our destination of Youngstown, Ohio at about 9-30pm and checked into the Residence Inn, Marriott. Our accommodation was a 2 Bed room, Living room-kitchen suite and most comfortable. I may add here that Madhuri booked all the hotels and standardized on this accommodation. We had another bite before going to bed around 11-30pm.
We took the I 80 E out of Chicago and soon entered Indiana at Gary.The rain/ storm was with us right through our drive through Indiana. It was scary at times due to poor visibility / heavy downpour, but, chandu was cool and his driving top class. We crossed the state line into OHIO at about 5pm (205 miles from home) . The rains finally left us around 7pm. We stopped at one of the service plazas at 8pm and had a fill of 'Pulihora' for dinner along with chapattis which we brought from home. We reached our destination of Youngstown, Ohio at about 9-30pm and checked into the Residence Inn, Marriott. Our accommodation was a 2 Bed room, Living room-kitchen suite and most comfortable. I may add here that Madhuri booked all the hotels and standardized on this accommodation. We had another bite before going to bed around 11-30pm.
TRIP TO WASHIGTON DC - PREVIEW
Washington DC was one place in USA which i always wanted to visit but couldn't do so till now. So i was really thrilled when Madhuri & chandu started making plans for such a trip. We all agreed that the best way to see US is to travel by road. They did all the planning like logistics, hotel bookings, itinery etc. Chandu hired a allmost new Dodge caravan mini van and we left on 7th April'10 and returned on 12th . The group comprised of i ,Bharathi, Chandu, Madhuri and Sreeya papa. I am writing it as different chapters for convenience of readers.
Day 1 - 07-04-10 - Travel from Aurora to Youngstown (OH)
Day 2 - 08-04-10 - Pittsburgh and travel to Silver spring (MD)
Day 3 - 09-04-10 - Museums
Day 4 - 10-04-10 - Capitol, White House and Lincoln Memorial
Day 5 - 11-04-10 - Washinton monument and travel to Maumee, Toledo (OH)
Day 6 - 12-04-10 - Travel back to Aurora
You can read it in one go ,or, in parts. Hope you will enjoy reading this as much as i enjoyed writing it.
Day 1 - 07-04-10 - Travel from Aurora to Youngstown (OH)
Day 2 - 08-04-10 - Pittsburgh and travel to Silver spring (MD)
Day 3 - 09-04-10 - Museums
Day 4 - 10-04-10 - Capitol, White House and Lincoln Memorial
Day 5 - 11-04-10 - Washinton monument and travel to Maumee, Toledo (OH)
Day 6 - 12-04-10 - Travel back to Aurora
You can read it in one go ,or, in parts. Hope you will enjoy reading this as much as i enjoyed writing it.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
YOU DID IT, OBAMA
There is a very old popular song which goes something like this---
"... he did it, he did it,
he said he would do it..."
President Obama has said in his campaign that he would reform the American Health Care. Ever since he took office he worked hard and diligently with a great deal of perseverance to get the reforms through. After a great deal of struggle and some compromise, the reforms bill was finally passed by the Congress on Sunday, the 21st March'2010 by a vote of 219-212 after a marathon debate.
Let us go the very beginning. As an occasional visitor to this country, i have always wondered why the Health care in America is so scary!! People are scared of loosing their insurance when they loose their Jobs and they are scared of the cost of buying insurance for self and family when out of job. We all know that the NRIs (Non Resident Indians) are scared of their old folk falling sick or ill while visiting USA. People like us who visit here come heavily insured, but still scared of falling sick because you keep hearing cases of claims being tuned down because everything is 'pre-existing'. Perhaps you will not find another country where a newly born, though insured through parents, was denied insurance claim for a complication because the company said it is 'pre-existing'. Do you hear of a lot of people going bankrupt because they can not pay the medical bills, elsewhere? Why do NRIs go and get surgeries/ other treatments done in India? Why does every NRI visit a dentist while on a holiday in India and gets a clean up done there?
The answer is only one.
Health Care in America has become too expensive and the system has literally broken down. Here the doctors do not decide what treatment you receive and where? Here the Insurance companies decide that.
Here are some interesting facts and figures supplied by White House during the past one month through emails to mobilize support for heath care reforms.
1) One in every six dollars in the US economy is spent on health care today.
2) From the year 2000 to 2008, the number of middle-income earners who obtained health insurance from their employers decreased by 3 million.
3) Health care premiums are raising three times faster than the wages.
4) Average monthly premium for employer sponsored family coverage in 2009 is $1,115.
5) Every minute 8 people are denied coverage or charged a higher rate or otherwise discriminated because of a pre-existing condition.
6) 41% of people under 65 have either accumulated medical debt or difficulty in paying medical bills or both.
7) In the year 2009, every hour 625 people lost their health insurance.
8) If you are an American under 65 years of age,there is a 50-50 chance that you would find yourself without coverage at some point during the next decade.
It is against this backdrop that one must try and understand why Obama has literally made it a personal agenda to get the health reforms through. He had fought a long and hard battle over the past one year.
Why has there been such an opposition to his proposed reforms then?? This is what is perplexing and i have tried hard to understand this. I will give my own perspective which may not be totally right.
1)FREE ENTERPRISE:
We all know that America strongly believes and advocates that Free Enterprise is the best way of ensuring economic justice. Ingrained into this tenet is also certain social responsibility. Over the last decade or so GREED has become predominant in the corporate world of free enterprise. Make more and more Money, people be damned has become the practice. This is what has led America to the edge in 2008 - the bursting of housing bubble-- the sub-prime crisis. The insurance companies in America are very strong and have a very powerful lobby. They have carved up the business territories among themselves and indulge in monopolistic practices. They jack up premiums at will, deny claims at will, deny insurance to people at will. They decide where you go for treatment and what treatment they will allow you-- take it or leave it. If you have lost your job and go to them to buy insurance they jack up the premium.
This lobby has spent millions of dollars in creating campaigns that have succeeded in spreading fear among tax payers. The lobby also influenced the various interest groups and politicians.
2) POLITICAL :
The Republican party has not got over the thrashing it got from Obama in 2008. It has only a single point agenda. Oppose Obama and make life miserable for him. Many Republicans believe that Obama is trying to bring in some type of socialism when he advocates change. The Republicans are traditionally pro-rich and the Democrats pro-labor. The Republicans see the extension of health care to millions of uninsured as a socialistic initiative . They have succeeded in convincing the rich and upper middle-class that Obama's reforms would bring down the Quality, increase the Cost and will mean additional taxes. They also argue that the high cost of these reforms can be ill afforded in these hard times.
Alas, there are conservative Democrats but no liberal Republicans ( as the 219-212 vote shows)
3) SOCIAL:
The proposed reforms are seen as pro-poor and anti-rich by the many. In this land of Free Enterprise, people are vertically divided on this issue. Those who have insurance and can afford it's cost do not want anything more to be given freely to the others , as this would increase the cost to them. Also, with more people insured ( adding 32 million people), they expect the quality of health care they are enjoying will be adversly affected.
Another issue that was hotly debated was about Abortions. America is divided into pro and anti abortion groups (mostly influenced by their religious beliefs and faith). The anti-abortion group has opposed the bill saying that they are against what they call state funded abortions. They ask why the tax payer should fund the abortion of someone. They were quite vocal in their opposition calling reform supporters 'baby killers'.
4) ECONOMICS:
The main fear of those opposing the proposed reforms is economics. They are certain that instead of bringing down the costs government intervention will only increase the costs. When government enters the field as a health care player competing with the private sector, some of those in the private sector will disappear. This will push the cost to those already enjoying good insurance coverage. They also fear that the funding will ultimately have to come through additional taxes.
On the other hand, Obama says that by his reforms he is going to bring down the costs by putting checks and balances in place and cutting down the monopolistic pricing practices and ensuring that insurance is provided need based. By bringing in additional 32 millions into the health care coverage, a lot of new jobs will be created in Health care industry-- more doctors , nurses, other staff. Obama is also very keen that all medical records should be computerized and that will create lot more jobs too.
America is world's greatest democracy-- where all people are equal irrespective of colour, caste or creed. And all have Freedom that is guaranteed by it's constitution. The human life is valued here very high. In technology and innovation, in research and development, they are Numero Uno. They have the best technology available in medical field.
Is it not ironic that this great country should creak under a Health care system that can not take care of it's people?
Is it not ironic that Obama's efforts to change and set this right, even partially, are met with such resistance?
After the bill was passed , when asked to comment , Obama has said " This is what Change looks like." He has just won a battle. There are many more ahead. I already hear that some states are going to court against the bill. We will see a lot more turmoil, a lot more emotions.
Inaction is not an option and President Obama has acted on a vital issue.
Change is always painful initially but change is always for better.
I salute OBAMA for his courage, conviction and perseverance.
"... he did it, he did it,
he said he would do it..."
President Obama has said in his campaign that he would reform the American Health Care. Ever since he took office he worked hard and diligently with a great deal of perseverance to get the reforms through. After a great deal of struggle and some compromise, the reforms bill was finally passed by the Congress on Sunday, the 21st March'2010 by a vote of 219-212 after a marathon debate.
Let us go the very beginning. As an occasional visitor to this country, i have always wondered why the Health care in America is so scary!! People are scared of loosing their insurance when they loose their Jobs and they are scared of the cost of buying insurance for self and family when out of job. We all know that the NRIs (Non Resident Indians) are scared of their old folk falling sick or ill while visiting USA. People like us who visit here come heavily insured, but still scared of falling sick because you keep hearing cases of claims being tuned down because everything is 'pre-existing'. Perhaps you will not find another country where a newly born, though insured through parents, was denied insurance claim for a complication because the company said it is 'pre-existing'. Do you hear of a lot of people going bankrupt because they can not pay the medical bills, elsewhere? Why do NRIs go and get surgeries/ other treatments done in India? Why does every NRI visit a dentist while on a holiday in India and gets a clean up done there?
The answer is only one.
Health Care in America has become too expensive and the system has literally broken down. Here the doctors do not decide what treatment you receive and where? Here the Insurance companies decide that.
Here are some interesting facts and figures supplied by White House during the past one month through emails to mobilize support for heath care reforms.
1) One in every six dollars in the US economy is spent on health care today.
2) From the year 2000 to 2008, the number of middle-income earners who obtained health insurance from their employers decreased by 3 million.
3) Health care premiums are raising three times faster than the wages.
4) Average monthly premium for employer sponsored family coverage in 2009 is $1,115.
5) Every minute 8 people are denied coverage or charged a higher rate or otherwise discriminated because of a pre-existing condition.
6) 41% of people under 65 have either accumulated medical debt or difficulty in paying medical bills or both.
7) In the year 2009, every hour 625 people lost their health insurance.
8) If you are an American under 65 years of age,there is a 50-50 chance that you would find yourself without coverage at some point during the next decade.
It is against this backdrop that one must try and understand why Obama has literally made it a personal agenda to get the health reforms through. He had fought a long and hard battle over the past one year.
Why has there been such an opposition to his proposed reforms then?? This is what is perplexing and i have tried hard to understand this. I will give my own perspective which may not be totally right.
1)FREE ENTERPRISE:
We all know that America strongly believes and advocates that Free Enterprise is the best way of ensuring economic justice. Ingrained into this tenet is also certain social responsibility. Over the last decade or so GREED has become predominant in the corporate world of free enterprise. Make more and more Money, people be damned has become the practice. This is what has led America to the edge in 2008 - the bursting of housing bubble-- the sub-prime crisis. The insurance companies in America are very strong and have a very powerful lobby. They have carved up the business territories among themselves and indulge in monopolistic practices. They jack up premiums at will, deny claims at will, deny insurance to people at will. They decide where you go for treatment and what treatment they will allow you-- take it or leave it. If you have lost your job and go to them to buy insurance they jack up the premium.
This lobby has spent millions of dollars in creating campaigns that have succeeded in spreading fear among tax payers. The lobby also influenced the various interest groups and politicians.
2) POLITICAL :
The Republican party has not got over the thrashing it got from Obama in 2008. It has only a single point agenda. Oppose Obama and make life miserable for him. Many Republicans believe that Obama is trying to bring in some type of socialism when he advocates change. The Republicans are traditionally pro-rich and the Democrats pro-labor. The Republicans see the extension of health care to millions of uninsured as a socialistic initiative . They have succeeded in convincing the rich and upper middle-class that Obama's reforms would bring down the Quality, increase the Cost and will mean additional taxes. They also argue that the high cost of these reforms can be ill afforded in these hard times.
Alas, there are conservative Democrats but no liberal Republicans ( as the 219-212 vote shows)
3) SOCIAL:
The proposed reforms are seen as pro-poor and anti-rich by the many. In this land of Free Enterprise, people are vertically divided on this issue. Those who have insurance and can afford it's cost do not want anything more to be given freely to the others , as this would increase the cost to them. Also, with more people insured ( adding 32 million people), they expect the quality of health care they are enjoying will be adversly affected.
Another issue that was hotly debated was about Abortions. America is divided into pro and anti abortion groups (mostly influenced by their religious beliefs and faith). The anti-abortion group has opposed the bill saying that they are against what they call state funded abortions. They ask why the tax payer should fund the abortion of someone. They were quite vocal in their opposition calling reform supporters 'baby killers'.
4) ECONOMICS:
The main fear of those opposing the proposed reforms is economics. They are certain that instead of bringing down the costs government intervention will only increase the costs. When government enters the field as a health care player competing with the private sector, some of those in the private sector will disappear. This will push the cost to those already enjoying good insurance coverage. They also fear that the funding will ultimately have to come through additional taxes.
On the other hand, Obama says that by his reforms he is going to bring down the costs by putting checks and balances in place and cutting down the monopolistic pricing practices and ensuring that insurance is provided need based. By bringing in additional 32 millions into the health care coverage, a lot of new jobs will be created in Health care industry-- more doctors , nurses, other staff. Obama is also very keen that all medical records should be computerized and that will create lot more jobs too.
America is world's greatest democracy-- where all people are equal irrespective of colour, caste or creed. And all have Freedom that is guaranteed by it's constitution. The human life is valued here very high. In technology and innovation, in research and development, they are Numero Uno. They have the best technology available in medical field.
Is it not ironic that this great country should creak under a Health care system that can not take care of it's people?
Is it not ironic that Obama's efforts to change and set this right, even partially, are met with such resistance?
After the bill was passed , when asked to comment , Obama has said " This is what Change looks like." He has just won a battle. There are many more ahead. I already hear that some states are going to court against the bill. We will see a lot more turmoil, a lot more emotions.
Inaction is not an option and President Obama has acted on a vital issue.
Change is always painful initially but change is always for better.
I salute OBAMA for his courage, conviction and perseverance.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
SUPER SACHIN'S DOUBLE
You have to be a die hard fan of a cricket (or a fool as some would say) to wake up at 3am in the wintry night of Chicago on 24 feb'10 to follow a cricket match. I plead guilty on both counts and that is what i did. I woke up at 3am to follow the 2nd ODI of India vs South Africa at Gwalior, India. The operative word here is FOLLOW. Yes, i can not watch cricket live here on TV as it is not a part of our DISH package. The pay channels that show cricket are far too expensive. So, i got up at 3am and followed the match on my favourite web site CRICBUZZ.
Right from start Sachin played his shots well. After loosing Sehwag very early, Sachin and Dinesh played good cricket at a fast clip and built a huge partnership. Cricket, like Life, is all about partnerships. We had three important ones -- first the near 200 one between Sachin and Kartik scored at over run a ball, Sacin getting his 46th ton and Karthik his fifty in the process. Then came the second win between Sachin and Yousuf pathan. They milked around 70 runs in the batting power play from 34th to 39th over. The final one was between Dhoni and Sachin that took india to 401 for 3 in 50 overs.
This partnership was crucial to Sachin getting the records. FULL CREDIT TO DHONI for blasting the proteas away and letting Sachin concentrate on his job WITH OUT ANY PRESSURE. Once in his 190, Sachin had the records in sight.
First he went from 193 to 195 and broke the record for highest score in a ODI hither to held jointly by Saeed Anwar of Pakistan (against india in early 90s) and John Coventry of Zimbabwe (against Bangladesh last year). Honestly, it did not sound right all these years, having Anwar at top. If you see his ODI record, it was modest at best, though, like many pakistanis, he reserved hi best aginst India. So, it was with a great joy that we watched Sachin demolish tthis record and became NUMERO UNO. Just to put things in right perspective, Anwar used a runner in getting that record (when he cramped). Sachin did not use any runner, and, was on field from ball one when india bowled.
From 195 to 199, sachin travelled slow and steady. You could see that he was determined to get there at the peak. Dhoni, meanwhile, had most of the strike and kept blating away. Then came the 50th over with Dhoni on strike. He blasted a four. He tried a second one which was stopped by Amla diving and gave a single, which brought the Master on strike. Sachin played Langveldt square to the point region and ran for the single. HE BECAME THE FIRST PLAYER TO GET A DOUBLE HUNDRED IN ONE DAY INTERNATIONAL CRICKET.
Just think about it. One day internationals are played for over FORTY YEARS NOW. Thousands and thousands of matches have been played in all these years. First there was the 60 over format and then the 50 over format. AFTER FORTY ODD YEARS SACHIN IS THE FIRST ONE TO SCORE A DOUBLE HUNDRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT IS LIKE BREAKING THE 10 SECONDS BARRIER IN 100 METERS RACE!!!!!!!!!!!!IT IS LIKE CLIMBING MOUNT EVEREST FIRST TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!IF THAT DOESN'T THRILL YOU, SORRY MAN!!!!!
HERE ARE SOME MORE FACTS---
-- He has done it against a very strong team like south africa.
-- His innings was chance less
-- He played all 50 overs and did not ask for a runner, even with slight cramps at end.
-- He scored his 200 in 147 balls with 25 fours and three sixes.
-- He helped India amass 400, win the match, win the series and retain it's number two spot.
HE IS ALL OF 36 YEARS OF AGE AND PLAYING FOR OVER 20 YEARS NOW.
LOOK AT HIS COMMITMENT, CONSISTENCY AND FITNESS. HE HAD HIS UPS AND DOWNS, BUT ALWAYS BOUNCED BACK.
MOST IMPORTANT, HE CONTINUES TO ENJOY HIS CRICKET AND PLAYS IT WITH COMMITMENT.
HE IS NEARING A HUNDRED FIFTIES AND A FIFTY HUNDRED IN ODI CRICKET.
THERE MAY BE MANY PRETENDERS BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE KING.
AREN'T YOU PROUD THAT SACHIN IS AN INDIAN???
I AM , I SAY IT AGAIN AND AGAIN, SACHIN IS A JEWEL AND GOD'S GIFT TO INDIA.
HE HAS DEDICATED THIS RECORD TO THE PEOPLE OF INDIA.
GOD BLESS YOU SACHIN.
Right from start Sachin played his shots well. After loosing Sehwag very early, Sachin and Dinesh played good cricket at a fast clip and built a huge partnership. Cricket, like Life, is all about partnerships. We had three important ones -- first the near 200 one between Sachin and Kartik scored at over run a ball, Sacin getting his 46th ton and Karthik his fifty in the process. Then came the second win between Sachin and Yousuf pathan. They milked around 70 runs in the batting power play from 34th to 39th over. The final one was between Dhoni and Sachin that took india to 401 for 3 in 50 overs.
This partnership was crucial to Sachin getting the records. FULL CREDIT TO DHONI for blasting the proteas away and letting Sachin concentrate on his job WITH OUT ANY PRESSURE. Once in his 190, Sachin had the records in sight.
First he went from 193 to 195 and broke the record for highest score in a ODI hither to held jointly by Saeed Anwar of Pakistan (against india in early 90s) and John Coventry of Zimbabwe (against Bangladesh last year). Honestly, it did not sound right all these years, having Anwar at top. If you see his ODI record, it was modest at best, though, like many pakistanis, he reserved hi best aginst India. So, it was with a great joy that we watched Sachin demolish tthis record and became NUMERO UNO. Just to put things in right perspective, Anwar used a runner in getting that record (when he cramped). Sachin did not use any runner, and, was on field from ball one when india bowled.
From 195 to 199, sachin travelled slow and steady. You could see that he was determined to get there at the peak. Dhoni, meanwhile, had most of the strike and kept blating away. Then came the 50th over with Dhoni on strike. He blasted a four. He tried a second one which was stopped by Amla diving and gave a single, which brought the Master on strike. Sachin played Langveldt square to the point region and ran for the single. HE BECAME THE FIRST PLAYER TO GET A DOUBLE HUNDRED IN ONE DAY INTERNATIONAL CRICKET.
Just think about it. One day internationals are played for over FORTY YEARS NOW. Thousands and thousands of matches have been played in all these years. First there was the 60 over format and then the 50 over format. AFTER FORTY ODD YEARS SACHIN IS THE FIRST ONE TO SCORE A DOUBLE HUNDRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT IS LIKE BREAKING THE 10 SECONDS BARRIER IN 100 METERS RACE!!!!!!!!!!!!IT IS LIKE CLIMBING MOUNT EVEREST FIRST TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!IF THAT DOESN'T THRILL YOU, SORRY MAN!!!!!
HERE ARE SOME MORE FACTS---
-- He has done it against a very strong team like south africa.
-- His innings was chance less
-- He played all 50 overs and did not ask for a runner, even with slight cramps at end.
-- He scored his 200 in 147 balls with 25 fours and three sixes.
-- He helped India amass 400, win the match, win the series and retain it's number two spot.
HE IS ALL OF 36 YEARS OF AGE AND PLAYING FOR OVER 20 YEARS NOW.
LOOK AT HIS COMMITMENT, CONSISTENCY AND FITNESS. HE HAD HIS UPS AND DOWNS, BUT ALWAYS BOUNCED BACK.
MOST IMPORTANT, HE CONTINUES TO ENJOY HIS CRICKET AND PLAYS IT WITH COMMITMENT.
HE IS NEARING A HUNDRED FIFTIES AND A FIFTY HUNDRED IN ODI CRICKET.
THERE MAY BE MANY PRETENDERS BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE KING.
AREN'T YOU PROUD THAT SACHIN IS AN INDIAN???
I AM , I SAY IT AGAIN AND AGAIN, SACHIN IS A JEWEL AND GOD'S GIFT TO INDIA.
HE HAS DEDICATED THIS RECORD TO THE PEOPLE OF INDIA.
GOD BLESS YOU SACHIN.
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