Motion Sickness, Fountains and Californication!
3 states in USA..that too just 6 months after my 1st plane journey in 10 years,
it is indeed an achievement. Even more so for me. The reason being, I am a terminal case of all
kinds of motion sicknesses...car, bus, train, taxi, bullock cart, see saws, unclean rest rooms, etc. I suffer from such a bad case of vertigo that even the sight of a whirring umbrella makes me queasy. So I had desisted from planes. I have puked in nearly all forms of public transport in India. I did not want to earn the dubious distinction of doing that in a flight.
But I suffered planes, taxis, and Greyhounds here, during the trip. Rather
they suffered me. Also to my eternal delight, I discovered that one of my friends has
a worse case of lympho sarcoma of the 'puke'stine to the chagrin of that person!
Anyways enough digression. Let me start the much awaited tour desciption!
First leg: Los Angeles
Los Angeles was a disappointment. I imagined the hometown of Hollywood to be jazzy, glittery, plush. The downtown can be called the exact opposite. It reminded me so much of good old Dharavi. Gutters, garbage... yes it was all there. I pity the poor students of USC. They stay in hell holes and also in the perpetual dread of gangsters and muggings etc. But the next few days
it only got better, Malibu, Santa Monica, Pacific Coast Highway were all pretty.
Second Leg: Vegas
My lasting memory of Vegas were the fountains of Bellagio. It was romantic and moving. Right in the middle of the strip, amidst all the crass lights and cheap thrills. The song to whose accompaniment the the water danced and shimmered was a touching dirge about the lives sacrificed for America. Sometimes the spouting water shot up many storeys high, some other times it just languorously fizzled. Somehow the moment though ephemeral will last forever in mymind. I could only nod my agreement to the old lady besides me - 'Spectacular! '
Third Leg: Grand Canyon
The wanton commercialism of the tour with which we went, prevented us from really soaking in
the majestic view that the canyon offers.
Fourth Leg: San Francisco:
That is 1 city in the US that anyone would take a pleasure to live in. The reasons are many.
You would be walking on the steep roads and suddenly, before you,
a breath taking view of the bay and its bridges. Designer attires and accesories are sported by everyone. The hustle and bustle, the vivid colors, the sheer throbbing, pulsating life of the city...those are the impressions that I carried when I left. Also all kinds of PDAs (Public Displays of Affection) abound in the city. By kinds, I mean people with all kinds of orientations.
All said and done..many miles, many vehicles, many holes in the pocket, and many many memories...
it is indeed an achievement. Even more so for me. The reason being, I am a terminal case of all
kinds of motion sicknesses...car, bus, train, taxi, bullock cart, see saws, unclean rest rooms, etc. I suffer from such a bad case of vertigo that even the sight of a whirring umbrella makes me queasy. So I had desisted from planes. I have puked in nearly all forms of public transport in India. I did not want to earn the dubious distinction of doing that in a flight.
But I suffered planes, taxis, and Greyhounds here, during the trip. Rather
they suffered me. Also to my eternal delight, I discovered that one of my friends has
a worse case of lympho sarcoma of the 'puke'stine to the chagrin of that person!
Anyways enough digression. Let me start the much awaited tour desciption!
First leg: Los Angeles
Los Angeles was a disappointment. I imagined the hometown of Hollywood to be jazzy, glittery, plush. The downtown can be called the exact opposite. It reminded me so much of good old Dharavi. Gutters, garbage... yes it was all there. I pity the poor students of USC. They stay in hell holes and also in the perpetual dread of gangsters and muggings etc. But the next few days
it only got better, Malibu, Santa Monica, Pacific Coast Highway were all pretty.
Second Leg: Vegas
My lasting memory of Vegas were the fountains of Bellagio. It was romantic and moving. Right in the middle of the strip, amidst all the crass lights and cheap thrills. The song to whose accompaniment the the water danced and shimmered was a touching dirge about the lives sacrificed for America. Sometimes the spouting water shot up many storeys high, some other times it just languorously fizzled. Somehow the moment though ephemeral will last forever in mymind. I could only nod my agreement to the old lady besides me - 'Spectacular! '
Third Leg: Grand Canyon
The wanton commercialism of the tour with which we went, prevented us from really soaking in
the majestic view that the canyon offers.
Fourth Leg: San Francisco:
That is 1 city in the US that anyone would take a pleasure to live in. The reasons are many.
You would be walking on the steep roads and suddenly, before you,
a breath taking view of the bay and its bridges. Designer attires and accesories are sported by everyone. The hustle and bustle, the vivid colors, the sheer throbbing, pulsating life of the city...those are the impressions that I carried when I left. Also all kinds of PDAs (Public Displays of Affection) abound in the city. By kinds, I mean people with all kinds of orientations.
All said and done..many miles, many vehicles, many holes in the pocket, and many many memories...
posted by tilo @ 2:02 AM
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