My flight was about to reach Abu Dhabi. It was four hours since I left India. The journey seemed exciting but a bit scary coz I was traveling all alone to the US for the first time. I opened up the window. I could see the morning twilight in the sky. It looked beautiful. It was around 6:30 AM local time. There were long bright lit roads below between the vast deserted land. Cars cruised at high speeds on them. This land looked so different. The environment looked so different. The texture of soil looked golden, perhaps because all these middle east countries sit on a desert.
In some time, my flight landed at Abu Dhabi International Airport. I de-boarded the aircraft and entered the terminal building. My next flight was after 3 hours. I switched on my phone and selected the mobile network - ETISALAT. This selection of mine instantly deducted Rs 150 from my balance as International Roaming Charges and I received a welcome message from Airtel along with Incoming and Outgoing rates. It read "Airtel in association with ETISALAT welcomes you to Abu Dhabi (UAE). The incoming rate is: Rs 150/min and outgoing is Rs 200/min. Roam with the leader." What a crappy joke. Only an idiot will enjoy roaming with such a leader. I was strolling inside the terminal building when I saw a banner "Free Internet Workstations". This gave me a sense of relief. I grabbed a workstation and opened my mailbox. I mailed my dear ones that I've safely reached Abu Dhabi and I'm all set to take my connecting flight.
It was time for my connecting flight to New York. This aircraft was much better than the previous one. It was a gigantic Boeing 767 compared to previous Airbus A320. Of course it had to be large, after all it was going to America. There were more than 15 cabin crew members to take care of all of us inside the aircraft. It flew on time and headed further towards the west. We were served food once, twice, thrice....endless times. Every thing tasted the same. I was badly missing my mom's food at this time. Every time the air-hostess offered me the same crappy food, I wanted to throw the same plate on her face. The journey of sixteen hours started taking toll on me. My body was aching from top to toe. But there was still many hours left. Occasional sleep helped me bear the pain of cramped space and leaving my homeland.
The announcement was made that our flight is about to enter United States airspace and each passenger is supposed to fill an immigration form. The air-hostesses distributed these forms to each one of us. I filled up my form. I opened the windows again. I could see land below. The plane had started its descent. I could see huge buildings, a perfect landscape with patches of white snow covering most of the land. This was the New York City. I was filled with awe to see all this. I couldn't believe that I was here, at the US. I was gratified but also a but terrified to see all this.
Our flight landed at JFK International Airport. It was perfectly on time. I wondered how come everything related to the US works so perfectly. Anyways I stepped out of the aircraft and entered the airport building. It was huge. Big banners of "Welcome to New York" were posted on the walls to welcome everyone. I headed towards the Immigration Counter. There was a long queue at every counter, but it was all well managed by Airport security. I waited for half n hour before my turn came. A tall lady at the counter window greeted me and asked me politely to show all the required documents. She verified all my documents along with my Visa and I20. She asked me the purpose and duration of my visit. After verifying everything to her satisfaction, she let me go.
Finally I was legally permitted to enter United States.
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