|
Hershy's
USA Trip
 |
|
BK
& Hershy Meet
|
BK's Story
Like a child giddy with excitement the night before Christmas, I could not get to sleep (inspite of knowing that my alarm would go off at 3 AM for a 380-mile solo road trip)! Nonetheless, with barely 3 hours of sleep I popped out of bed and was in my car by 3:15.
"California, here I come!"
But this wasn't just *any* road trip ... this was a journey to meet face-to-face a very special person ... one who had already traveled half-way across the world to our very own U.S. of A. ... and was it not worth it for *me* to drive a mere few hours and few hundred miles for the rare treat of seeing our Papa Hershy in person? No question ... of course - YES!
Sooo, off I went on January 2nd, 2002... into the dark winter's night ... across the Interstate from Arizona to California ... narrowly missing a wild coyote dashing in front of me in the middle of the road, and later navigating L.A.'s freeways through dense morning fog. Then 5 1/2 hours later The Meeting was a reality ... "East meets West"!
After an initial exchange of welcoming hugs and an "I can't believe we're actually meeting in person" mutual amazement, we chatted over breakfast and for me a much-needed pot of coffee ... like good friends often do. I listened while Harsh told me of his home and family and work ... thoroughly charmed by his accent and his genuine sweetness ... and we talked about how on his *next* visit to The States, wouldn't it be awesome if we could plan this gigantic PNPB Family Reunion where *all* of us could meet in person somewhere in the middle ... including his dear wife and two kids! I believe it will happen ... some day! :-)
All too quickly our time came to an end, and two hours later ... after trading a few pieces of each other's native coins, taking some photos (of course!) on our digital cameras, and Harsh's thoughtful gesture of giving me a lovely Indian scarf & instrumental Indian music CD ... we exchanged a farewell hug and "till we meet again" parting words. Then off he went with his traveling companions to San Francisco ... and back I went to Tempe.
Home again ... tired but happy ... my head hit the pillow by 8 PM that night, as I drifted off to a good night's sleep ... accompanied by a little California Dreamin' memories!
~ BK >^,,^<
My USA trip was possible because of my dear nephew Sanjay who had managed the tickets. I was travelling with him, his wife Jayshree and their two sons Punit and Kulin. Neel, a close friend from USA; joined us and the six of us visited San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
My meeting with Jim Brennan was planned before I left for USA but being Christmas most of the other members had already made their plans or were too far away to travel to California or Vegas. Meeting a couple of members was still a possibility and Becky, fondly known as BK with the PnP Board friends; was one of them.
Becky lives in Phoenix, Arizona and was toying with a couple of options. Fly or drive down to Vegas or to LA. We talked almost every other day (maybe more than I talked with my wife Swarup!) trying to fix up a convenient meeting. One of the calls I had to make was when I was standing in line at the Haunted House, Disneyland with people screaming away with the announcers! I did not know her plans and caught her mountain climbing! With our tight schedules it was possible to meet only on the morning of my last day in LA. That also just for breakfast!
She decided to drive down - a distance of over 350 miles one way and drive back after the meeting! My group was amazed at the situation - a lady wanting to go through so many hours of driving to meet up a person - an almost a stranger!
On the day of our 'date' I got up early despite a very late night and called her to check if she was going to make it on time. Turned out she was already in LA and going to be a bit early! With a peppy walk and a bright smile she made her entry and it was difficult to imagine that the lady had got up at 3 am and driven down hundreds of miles!
After the initial greetings we sat down and starting with her drive to LA we talked of our families, work, friends at PnP Board and many other things. So engrossed were we in talking that the lady taking our order had to ask us a couple of times before we realised we hadn't even ordered food! Becky is a keen photographer and she took out her Kodak digital and showed me her picture in the mountains when I had called!
We requested the waitress to take our picture. She was quite amused as we asked her to shoot quite a few with her as well as my camera! We exchanged some coins and currency notes of our countries as a memento of our meet. I also gave her a Silk scarf and a couple of CDs of Indian music that Swarup had so thoughtfully packed for such eventualities! Becky was thrilled and immediately draped the scarf for another picture! Too soon for us, my phone rang and it was Jayshree calling that it was time for us to start for LA! We hugged and bid goodbyes after some more pictures outside the hotel!
This became a `must-tell' story of my US trip and all the listeners have been amazed at this special 'date' of mine! Becky, I appreciate all the troubles you took in making this possible; it meant a lot to me. I hope you will remember my invitation to come to India and give me a chance of showing you around AND treating you not only to breakfast but lots of delicious lunches and dinners!
~ Hershy