Landing in Dallas Airport mentally and physically exhausted handling our energetic son in the flight, me and husband looked at this country with apprehension. The ride from the Airport to the guest house was the most disheartening as I must have seen at least one lakh cars but not a single human. And I thought to myself this a country with opportunities but no soul. After the hustle bustle of Indian life this quietness was daunting. I felt more homesick than ever. But from that day onwards my learning and understanding of this country begun. Today after almost after 8 months I feel and think differently in many respects. Every day taught me a new lesson. My first battle begun when I realized, I cannot move without a car and a car seat for my son. So my first month went on in the Guest house as not many of my husbands friends owned a car seat. I used to grumble about everything as this concept was a bit difficult to understand. But then I slowly started venturing out in the Guest house itself and was lucky to make some very good friends who also like me were ready to make friends and share their experiences. My son also made new friends ,life did not look so boring after all. Though we bought a car our little son rebelled to sit in the car seat after almost two months of battle he has learnt to sit in the seat though even now he tries to avoid it we don't let him get his way as the rule demands it and we understand it is for his safety only. This was our first lesson that sometimes rules are best when best followed as there is nothing more greater than your child's safety.

We moved into a house with nothing but our own luggage. From there begun our journey of making a house a home. But still I could not accept the concept of doing the housework without any help as back home having servants and a cook. I found it difficult to cope and also entertaining my son. Some days were so bad and depressing that I used to wonder if I came all this way to lead such a laborious life. I used to call myself as the "glorified housekeeper", but time teaches you all. Today I manage all the housework my son and have some leisure time thanks to this country as it has taught me the value of organizing my time ,and co-ordination my work accordingly. Today I am quite surprised at myself at all the work I cover in a day and yet manage to keep the evening for my friends and husband.

The best thing I enjoyed here were the "Moving,Garage" and the weekend sales .We became a frequent visitor to these sales and today our house is comfortably furnished in a very cost effective way and the best thing happened to us. I advice all my friends to look out for these sales as they have the best to offer at a reasonable way. So till you can afford to buy new without a grudge make the best of these sales. Today I have many friends out here who are from different parts of India, different parts of the world. And when we meet one thing common among all of us is that we are all trying to make ourselves feel at home in a country totally alien to us, and here cast or creed does not make sense or holds any importance for in our good or bad times it is these people who are by our side and that is the most important thing to understand. And the biggest misconception I had to break was that people of this land are unfriendly. Infect I have never met more friendly people than these who are always polite very disciplined in shopping areas and always share have a good word or two to share with you. It is easy to sit back in India and make our own assumptions and different when you experience.

I end my first brief experience here ,all I would share with my friends out there don't be disheartened by the first few months ordeals. This country is a good teacher as long as you are ready to learn. Today I am sure my parents will be proud to see their youngest daughter has learnt to cope with life's problems with a smile and not a frown. Independence mentally is what you achieve. I take back my phrase that this country has no soul. It is a good country which today we have made our home in. Though it cannot go without saying that we miss India very much and people back home.

More articles by Payal Dronamraju

1. "INDIA IN USA"
2. "Home across the shores"