Dollar Dreams...Unlimited!!!

Seven months into the so-called "American" lifestyle I thought I should make a point to all those back home, thinking about making a move here.

There was once this life (just 7 months back), where I had to get up at 8-9 in the morning, go downstairs for a smiling moms face with the coffee ready to be served. Hot water kept ready along with a towel and cleanly pressed clothes. Then a sumptuous breakfast followed by a fresh thick shake. After all this, a drive to office in my own car with the fav songs playing on the radio station. Some hours later a rich meal in one of thousand available option of restaurants. Then a drive straight to the "adda" to catch up with the buddies. Now and then a late night party or back home to have a great dinner with family and a nice bed to sleep.

But, I said "to hell with this life" and decided its time to get Americanized and earn in dollars. And indeed i did come over and earning in dollars. However a day would begin with getting up at 6 (no one reaches office at 10AM or by a "second" shuttle in US), prepare my own tea, given that I have the patience. Then forcefully gulp some cereals and juice one among zillion "fat free" milk brands. Then realize that its already late, so either skip the "shower" or procrastinate until evening(remember you don't bathe in US, you "shower"). Then starts the tough part. If you are lucky enough to have a car, you survive, else, start one of those steaming/shivering walks towards office just to reach either stinking with sweat or a cold bone. Meanwhile I forgot to mention about packing the meal of the day, which was either cooked the previous day or a couple days earlier. And sometimes you end up eating a "garden" salad (literal to its meaning of garden). Its a sin to be a vegetarian here. Then you turn up at the apartment in the evening and, if, fortunate enough to have a "good/decent" roommate, who would help in some work, start cooking and cleaning and/or the weekly "walmart" routines. Then after all the washing and eating and an occasional call back home with friends, you end up crashing either on a sleeping bag or a mattress on the floor.

So, my friends, if you want to live a luxurious life here, just consider the above. Life is not too easy to start here. And by the time, everytime, you feel settled in a place, you are moved elsewhere and you start all over again. The cycle repeats. Not all are unfortunate, some end up settling down in a place. Make a calculative judgment before making a move here.

You may be wondering whats running in my mind. Am I for or against someone coming here? Definitely not. This is a land of opportunities. Just want to make a clear statement on the pros and cons. I made the "decision" and I have no regrets on that. Come here for a "reason", but not just because your neighbor's son went to US and you want to get Americanized too. I am here for a reason and I am living with it.

PS: You still earn in dollars. I agree its much more than what you can make back there. But you indeed are paying a high price for it.

All said and done, its high time i rush now. I am getting a free ride to Walmart :)