The New York Trip- getting there
Thursday, December 29, 2005 - getting prepared
Jose sent an email giving detailed instructions on how I get to Manhattan from the Newark International airport, including fare, weather, etc. Very honestly, I have never been so excited about going someplace, as I was about New York. It just wasn't about the place, but also because of the people I knew there, Jose, Varma and Manty - friends from EVS, had spent some great time with them in the past.
Jose called - and we discussed in detail on how I would get to Times Square, where he would find me. I think my thing with directions played on his mind :-)
Friday, December 30, 2005 - getting to the airport
Was awake all night, managed just one hour of sleep. Spent time on the Internet figuring out directions from where I stay to the airport. Believe me, I was on the edge of my nerves - spending 10 minutes on every turn mentioned on the map. I took prints of the map, and set out to the airport. Just in case you haven't figure out till now, I was driving all by myself to a place I had no clue of in a city I had arrived just 4 days back. Set off almost two hours in advance, even though I was told that the airport is a mere 15-20 minute drive. And guess what, rightly so, coz I could just about follow the first three directions on the map before I got lost. I This is when I did the most difficult thing I have ever done - keep my cool. I started wondering what I would do in case I missed the flight. I have had not many as depressing thoughts in my life. Thankfully, I saw a gas station (yes, that is what they call a petrol pump here). Saw a lady filling a car. Walked up to her, and asked for directions. For once, she thought I was asking for a drop to the airport - drop????, who would ask a gas station attendent for a drop. It was then I realized that she kind of was the one with the car, and in the US gas stations are also self service :-). Anyways, I got the directions and this time dint get lost (well... given that it was just one straight road, it was difficult to get lost). Parked the car, and managed to board the flight to New York.
Jose sent an email giving detailed instructions on how I get to Manhattan from the Newark International airport, including fare, weather, etc. Very honestly, I have never been so excited about going someplace, as I was about New York. It just wasn't about the place, but also because of the people I knew there, Jose, Varma and Manty - friends from EVS, had spent some great time with them in the past.
Jose called - and we discussed in detail on how I would get to Times Square, where he would find me. I think my thing with directions played on his mind :-)
Friday, December 30, 2005 - getting to the airport
Was awake all night, managed just one hour of sleep. Spent time on the Internet figuring out directions from where I stay to the airport. Believe me, I was on the edge of my nerves - spending 10 minutes on every turn mentioned on the map. I took prints of the map, and set out to the airport. Just in case you haven't figure out till now, I was driving all by myself to a place I had no clue of in a city I had arrived just 4 days back. Set off almost two hours in advance, even though I was told that the airport is a mere 15-20 minute drive. And guess what, rightly so, coz I could just about follow the first three directions on the map before I got lost. I This is when I did the most difficult thing I have ever done - keep my cool. I started wondering what I would do in case I missed the flight. I have had not many as depressing thoughts in my life. Thankfully, I saw a gas station (yes, that is what they call a petrol pump here). Saw a lady filling a car. Walked up to her, and asked for directions. For once, she thought I was asking for a drop to the airport - drop????, who would ask a gas station attendent for a drop. It was then I realized that she kind of was the one with the car, and in the US gas stations are also self service :-). Anyways, I got the directions and this time dint get lost (well... given that it was just one straight road, it was difficult to get lost). Parked the car, and managed to board the flight to New York.
posted by Animesh Kumar at Wednesday, January 04, 2006
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