Road to California

I visited California in 2008 soon after coming to the US. At that time I didn't know much about this country, society, culture or politics. I fancied myself to be a tourist and tried to enjoy my visit. Roads in the US are great marvels by themselves. I enjoy taking pictures of the road, specially when it is a scenic route linking mountains or runs along the sea shore. As we drove through the mountains towards the Bay Area or Silicon Valley, I captured some of the road views from the moving car. '

Two years down....

It has been two years since I landed here... two years since I went home... two years since I tasted true Masala Dosa of Janata Hotel, Malleswaram... Two years since I had the spicy Szechewan Fried Rice at Beijing Bites or Chungs... Two years since I walked down M.G. Road... Two years since I climbed rocks at Ramanagaram... two years since I hiked in the green mountain ranges of Devarayanadurga... two years since I swam in one the pristine azure waters of Y.G. Gudda dam or Kanva dam or Manchinbelle dam... I could go on and on about all the things I DID NOT get to do in the past two years.

But I would rather focus my post on all the things I did in the past TWO years. First of all I made a 100 percent score in Mathematics (college algebra), a score that I had never made all my life... My academic progress was so good that I was chosen for the Dean's list of exemplary students... I was the star of a panel discussion on fuel consumption in which I beat the crap out of Americans who were contemplating whether the federal government should force India to stop TATA from manufacturing the Nano.

I have traveled to 9 states (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, New Jersey, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Arkansas) out of 50 in the US. I have been to Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Walnut Canyon and a host of other natural wonders in this country. I have learned how to rollerskate (still not an expert) without falling on my butt every time I attempt to move forward on the wheels. I participated in two long distance bicycle rides the MS-150 (90 mile) and Collin Classic (55 mile). I hosted a Kannada radio show on local desi FM station for over six months.

I still haven't found a job - this is the longest unemployed stint in my life after I started working. It sure feels like being a vegetable... but with the economy going south I take small consolation with the fact that I am not alone in the job market looking for work.

Do I have regrets for having left India? Yes of course... who doesn't? I think there would be a very small population of this immigrant nation who wouldn't miss their home country and at some point regret having come here.

My American Travel Pictures

Since arriving at the US in October 2007, I have visited nine out of 50 states of this continent-sized nation. I have been to California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New York and New Jersey. Though I have carried my camera to most of the places I have visited I haven't had the good fortune of getting great pictures. I post pictures on this blog from time to time whenever I shoot good pictures. Here are some I think are good... would appreciate your opinions on them....

Painted Desert National Park, Arizona

River Paluxy, Glen Rose, Texas

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Karnataka - A video presentation

I was going through some pictures of my travels in Karnataka and thought it would be a great idea to share them all on youtube in the form of a video presentation. Here is the result....

It has been long since I updated the blog. Have been travelling hectically on work and for personal reasons. Had been to some amazing places including Coutrallam Falls, Sri Villipuththur and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

Was looking through some old pictures of my travels and found this one and felt that I must share it with all of you who visit my blog. This was shot more than a year ago at Devarayanadurga hills about 80 km from Bangalore.