It took me 28 Hours to reach USA from India. So, I thought let’s write a post about reaching America. An alternate title of this post could be “A Day Up In The Air”:) After my US Visa was approved, I planned my USA itinerary which included LA, Utah & NYC.
Zurich To Los Angeles via Swiss Air Flight (12 Hrs Journey)- My Longest Flight Till Date
I reached home from the office just in time. I hurriedly get ready and inspect my packed luggage. I was all set to leave for the airport when I received a call from USA 🙂 Well, It was an Airbnb customer care executive calling in regards to my query. The guy on the phone were having some difficulty understanding my thick Indian accent. I completed the call and catch a cab. Before my USA trip, I was happy about the fact that on this trip I won’t be having a language problem since its USA but little did I know then that how wrong I was!
I hate air travel. Congested Sitting, Claustrophobic feeling, Aloof People (Never had a good conversation with a co-passenger), Buzzing ears, Bored air hostesses most of the times, Snoring sound surrounds you, can’t sleep and can’t stay awake. Argh! Worst part about traveling for me is air travel. If its possible, I would travel around the world via train! My Air travel to USA was no different but still I find ample anecdotes since the Journey was soooooo long and it’s America!
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| At Zurich Airport |
After more than 12 hours and overlapping several time zones, our flight finally landed at LAX. I was beyond tired. All I wanted to do is to just lay down after 28 Hours Journey. I was one the last persons to leave the aircraft. All the empty seats were compelling me to just lay down on them and sleep indefinitely. I somehow made my way out of the aircraft.
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| Customs Declaration Form |
When I reached at the immigration check, My half closed eyes opened completely after seeing the huge immigration line. I thought to myself “This Is America: The Land Of Immigrants.” While in line, I met a ground staff originally from Pakistan. We chatted for a while and it helped me to regain my energy. After more than an hour, I reached the immigration desk and the long line of questioning (the feature film;) begins!
I repeated my sentence again but still he was unable to understand the word “Sundance”. After repeating the word twice, He finally understood and himself repeated the word thrice in a thick American accent. Remember I told you how wrong I was. It was just a beginning 😉 Most of the questions from the visa interview were repeated and I answered them again while trying hard to maintain a neutral accent. At the end, I scanned my fingerprints but the scanner couldn’t read my fingerprints. I wiped my fingers and the scanner with my handkerchief and did it again. It worked and he remarked “You’re sweating.” And mouths the dialogue which can straight goes to Top 100 Movie Quotes. It goes like “Sometimes, Truth is harder to tell than a lie.” followed by “Welcome To United States.” I smiled and thanked him. I was not nervous, just really really tired but sure if that works for him.
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| An Almost Empty Platform |
LA Metro is a joke if you compare it with Mumbai Rail Network or any other efficient metro/train network. The platform was almost empty. Finally, I reached my desired metro station. From the station I pushed/rolled/carry my suitcase to my host’s place for like 25 minutes. During my suitcase rolling journey, I heard the F word for the first time in USA. The girl was on the phone and shouting on someone (maybe her boyfriend) while using a lot of F words. It left a smile on my face which remained till I reach my destination. I was thinking about the first time when I was introduced to the F word after watching the Hollywood film in my childhood and how it got stuck in my head for many days. Till then I have seen USA through Hollywood films only. It was a surreal phase for me to come to the terms that I’m in fact in America and not watching any Hollywood film Or I was aware that I’m in America and drawing parallels to Hollywood films and having a surreal feeling. In case you’re wondering, No, I did not stayed in Hollywood!
I reached my host’s place. He seems to be in a hurry and I couldn’t care less since all I wanted to do was Sleep Sleep Sleep. He quickly gave me a tour of his place and bid adieu. I entered my room and pushed my luggage aside and removed my shoes and throw myself on the bed and slept straight for 12+ Hours.
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| Downtown LA |
It sounds like you had the trip of a lifetime. The States is a strange place. Our priorities are all over the place – not in a great way, in my opinion. It's definitely not like anywhere else.
I never thought reading a story of simply getting where you were going could be so entertaining! will definetly keep checking in on your blog
Interesting! We had rather different experiences. My accent is pretty neutral so apart from this one time when I was trying speak to to Greyhound customer care (that guy literally went "I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOUR ACCENT') I never had much of a problem with it. Still, I have a habit of slurring words so I try to speak slowly with all foreigners. I always found the LA metro crowded but nothing like Rajiv Chowk at Delhi haha. It is really cool that you went to volunteer at Sundance Festival, how was that experience like? Would love to read about it.
I live in the US, but I have never been to any of those places that you've mentioned. I hope that you had a wonderful trip! 🙂
Really? 28 hours! You are indeed a patient person.
"Me: Hi, I'm here to volunteer at Sundance Film Festival.
Immigration Officer: What?"
This point got me cracking up. I can relate.
Wow what an experience! They take you through a lot through immigration didn’t really know the process. Hopefully you had a good experience volunteering at Sundance, would love to know more about your American experience. Please write more posts on it!-Chastity
I love reading about your first impressions! I really have no read that about my home all that much. If you came to my home town, Phoenix, you would find an even more sad rail system! It is pretty horrible. Hopefully you will have a great experience exploring!
Cool reading about the US through your eyes! Kind of reminded me of my first time visiting Australia when no one understood me at the airport haha and they asked me all kinds of questions I couldn't answer.
This reminded me a lot of my travel coming here! I thought the same thing that it would be easier to communicate since everybody uses English but my accent made it a bit difficult. The 'F' word thing is a reality and wait till you stay longer.
I look forward to reading the next part of your American journey – I hope that the jet lag wasn't too bad for you!
I have a similar experience to LA in last winter. My flight was flying from Singapore to LA non stop via United Air 17 + hours. I didnt try out LA Metro as we use car rental to do many road trips in California. And yes, I stayed in Hollywood on my first night in USA. Nothing really special to be frank. The hotel in Hollywood is too expensive and not even hotel, it is more like a motel standard and cost over USD 200 per night. The only good thing about the hotel is the great location, walking distance to the walk of fame.
So strange that there so no lock on the door… that is not typical of where I was raised. But I cannot imagine that long on an airplane! Yokes! I hope your trip turns around!
Very interesting article! I am American, so it was very enlightening to read about your impressions of the US from the outside. Id love to read more about your trip! Especially what you thought of Utah and NYC
I enjoyed reading your story. Wow 28hrs, that's a long flight. I cannot wait to read about the rest of your travel and I hope they are much better for you.
You're so funny i was laughing the whole time….. I think you did fine traveling alone….. You can find funny things along the way…..
Yes! No one takes the subway/train/metro in Los Angeles. It is a driving city. I am from NYC and I didn't even realize that they had a rail system until a few years ago. Hope you enjoyed your trip.
I have never been on a plane but when I was reading your post I felt like I was there with you! I can't wait to read more!
I think that is so awesome to read about your experience with the US through your eyes. Welcome and I hope you feel love and support throughout your journey.
Haha, parts of your story had me laughing out loud. Those of us who came here from other countries can definitely relate to your story. It's a classic immigrant tale.
That is such a long flight! I have never been overseas like that and it would definitely be a lot to sit through. It sounds like such an adventure to travel so far and to such different places. I'm interested to read more of your thoughts on traveling to America!
I enjoyed reading this candid post. It is always exciting to visit a country for the first time. This really was a very long flight! I agree with you. I hate flights as well. And to have to endure that for such a long time can be stressful. I too prefer train journeys. I cracked p at the accent problem. I face that too often!
The flight to America is a really long haul and tedious journey. The American dream has a nightmare in the shape of a long flight preceding it. Had a sense of dejavu reading your post and could identify with your experiences.
One hour wait at immigration in LA? Oh my, last time I went there they were just opening a few more lines and if I recall right, I haven’t had to wait more than maybe 10 minutes :0
28 hours is indeed a long flight! I bet you would have been jet lagged and a flight that long must be so tiring mentally and physically. I’d definitely have sleep as the first thought on my mind when upon my arrival.