I'm a third generation American, of Indian origin.
My maternal grandparents came here years ago. My grandfather began the immigration process... he was rather like the "Bilbo" of the family. Actually, very much like Bilbo indeed.
My father came here to pursue his PhD at Case Western Reserve University, and he was super successful, married my mom, and they consequently had me and my sister... (for more of my family's story please go
HERE).
I didn't really know what it was like to immigrate to America, although we did immigrate to India. So we sort of "went back to where we belong", and it was nice, but we did not belong because our passports said "Born in USA", we had different accents, and we were just "different". I always wonder though what it would be like to go to the USA for the first time as an adult. I wonder what it was like for my grandfather, my father, other friends of mine who have immigrated from India and other countries... what was it like for them? Here's what I think it was like for a couple from rural India, who got a job in USA, and have to move there.
"This is a life changing opportunity", he thought to himself. "I'm so nervous and excited! Anxious and thrilled! is it possible to feel this all at the same time?" Hareesh thought this as he stared at the computer screen in the cyber cafe. He had just received an email from his new employer that they had secured an apartment for him, and his tickets would be booked from the closest international airport. He would have to book his and his wife's train tickets from Erode, Tamil Nadu to Chennai, then a plane to Mumbai. This would be his first time traveling to a different country. A whole new world. A whole new life. What would it be like? The only things he knew was from the media - books, television, news, and some words from friends who had moved there. Hareesh set off to tell his wife that the date of the move had been settled.
He got on his mo-ped (scooter) and drove the dusty road about a kilometer to his home. He excitedly told his wife the good news, his parents were there too. They were happy but they cried, tears of joy, and tears of nervousness of the future. His parents would be left alone, with his sister living nearby with her in-laws, he would be earning less than he was earning now in Rupees. Why? Why risk lower pay and travel far away? This was a dream come true though. A step up - the land of opportunity. They all took a second to go pray to the lord Ganesha.
"It's only two and a half weekends away! We have to pack and be ready!" Hareesh told his wife and family. "I will go immediately and book the train tickets now, the office will just be opening. Will you come with me too, Rohini?" She agreed, and they both set out.
Once they had the tickets, they decided to go shopping for some new clothes, maybe even western wear. It would be cold there, as the president of the company had told them. So they set out to find a place to buy sweaters in this tropical climate city. They each bought 2 sweaters and a jacket. They would be traveling to Cleveland, Ohio. They had no idea what was in store for them.
They were packed and read a week before the trip, just adding small things to the suitcase. They had two check in suitcases, two hand small hand luggage each. The took clothes, books, hair oils, etc. Apparently everything could be bought in USA, but what about medications etc. So all of the essentials were packed. They waited eagerly for the day of the trip. They stayed at home and spent time with the family as they would be missed most. Plus no knowing when they would return to visit. The future was full of unknowns... exciting but scary. Great opportunities lay ahead, however of course the great disasters also came to mind, but no one spoke of it. They prayed and talked about the best, focused on the positive side of such an experience.
The day came, and they said their goodbyes, tearful for Rohini, but Hareesh maintained a strong frame, though his heart quivered in sadness of leaving his parents and excitement of this new adventure. Going to Chennai was not such a big deal, for he had been to Bangalore, and passed through Delhi previously, but going to USA, was the true adventure. A tear escaped his eye, he wiped it away quickly before anyone could see. This was his dream come true, everything he worked so hard for: it was finally happening.
He took his parents blessings and got into the rental ambassador car to the train station. There they found their coach, and put their suitcases in with the hired help of a Coolie. They settled into their seats. Their journey to the "new world" had begun.
In Chennai they took a taxi-cab to the airport. They had to wait 6 hours before their flight to Mumbai. The company had booked the flight with an airline company that flew only out of Mumbai. This was his wife's first time flying and she was not so keen on it. Hareesh told her she had the 2 hour flight to Mumbai to get used to it, because after that it would be a 14 hour flight to Newark Airport, and then another hour long flight to Ohio. This was a tedious long and tiring, but the only way to get to their dreams, a better life, success!
Hareesh and Rohini went through the check-in process, security check etc. and found themselves on the plane learning how to fasten their seat-belts. Hareesh turned of his Nokia phone of 8 years. He would use it one more time in Mumbai to call his parents. Rohini began crying as the plane lifted off, and Hareesh consoled her saying "Silly girl, we are still in India. You should cry when we leave Mumbai!" Some food was served and they soon reached Mumbai. They stayed in a hotel near the airport until their flight the next evening. They dared not go far for they didn't want to miss the flight. They kept all their tickets, passports, and other papers ready for the trip as it grew towards evening the next day. They both had a little tummy problems due to the nerves as the time grew nearer, but dared not admit it.
They checked-in again, the line was very long, and many foreigners were there too. Rohini stared. She asked Hareesh "Which one of them is a movie star? I always hear that people see movie stars in the airport." Hareesh laughed and said, "These are all common people like you and I. Just because they are flyign doesn't mean they are movie stars." He realized his wife was so simple, and cute. He hugged her with his free arm. When they were finally on their seats in the plane, an Indian stewardess came and gave them blankets and asked them if they would have vegetarian or non-vegetarian food for their dinner. They were vegetarians. After the flight took off, Rohini cried looking out the window and the lights of Mumbai, and India vanish into the darkness. Dinner was soon served, and the inflight programs began. They watched a few Hindi movies, and slept.
The flight was long, and soon they were awoken with bright lights. There was an hour to landing, and they had to fill out some forms. Hareesh began filling the forms. They were customs and immigration forms. A stewardess who was American - Caucasian, asked them if they would like breakfast. She offered them Sausages or Bacon. Hareesh looked at Rohini, and he said "We are vegetarian. Is Bacon vegetarian?" The stewardess beckoned for the Indian stewardess, after trying to explain that bacon and sausage were the only options, and both were made of pork, but failed at being clear. The Indian stewardess explained this to them and said they should not eat the meat, but eat the bread, and yogurt instead.
They soon saw the city of New York below them. It looked different from most of the movies, since the twin towers were there no more, however seeing Statue of Liberty and the Empire state building was just as exciting to them. This was the first sight of USA! They soon landed in Newark airport. Their flight to Cleveland, was in an hour and a half. They rushed through customs and immigrations, and looked for their next departure gate in this huge airport, filled with so many people, rushing past them. Everyone seemed so tall. All dressed in long warm woolen coats, as this was January and cold.
The couple happened upon a window, and looked out, it was WHITE! This was their first time seeing snow in real life. They were exhausted but looked at the snow in wonder for a few minutes, then had to go to find their gate. It was at the end of Terminal A, which was a long walk from Terminal C, where they had landed. By this time they were about ready to crash, they didn't have any dollars on him, because the company said they would pick him up from the airport in Cleveland. They couldn't or wouldn't dare to even buy a coffee, or some food. They waited, boarded, and flew up. This plane offered them juice and some crackers, which they ate up quickly.
They landed in Cleveland, and an employee from the company who was also visually Indian, picked them up and drove them to their apartment. The person was named Shawn, he had a strong American accent. He explained to them, he would let them drop of their luggage, and they would go with him to buy furniture and such for their apartment. The apartment had nothing in it. Rohini fell asleep in the back seat, Hareesh talked with Shawn. "What kind of name is Shawn for an Indian guy?" He thought, but he realized there was a lot to be done rather than think about such silly things. As Shawn explained to him, he needed to get furniture, and he would have to slowly pay the company back. They would have to open a bank account for him, driver's license, social security number, lots of paper work, and then eventually put the apartment lease into his name. Hareesh was exhausted by just the thought, plus the travel, jet-lag, and all this overwhelmed him. But this is what he had wanted! "One day at a time", he told himself. "Slow but steady, wins the race. And this is not even a race!"
"You're lucky this is Friday, and you have the whole weekend to work through this. After the furniture store, we will stop by at the office, and you can meet the president. He wants to talk to you and see that you are settled in. A few of us will help you through the weekend. Someone will carpool with you to work till you get your car. Bad news is you have to be at work on Monday at 8am!" Said Shawn in his American accent. Hareesh just thought it was weird that an Indian man spoke like this, but he got used to it.
"I will work, this is what I came here for!" Said Hareesh. Then he thought to himself, "actually maybe work will be the only familiar thing in this unfamiliar land. Chemistry is the same everywhere in the world!"
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| How far we all have come... |
Breathe!
