This trip to the USA was a spontaneous one, planned just a day before departure to take care of some urgent banking matters. It had been nearly nine years since my last visit, and while the trip came up suddenly, I felt more prepared this time. I booked a business class ticket on Air India, allowing me to relax and stretch out, even though the “Maharaja service” didn’t quite meet my expectations due to older aircrafts. After a brief layover in Delhi, I was on my way to New York.
New York Arrival
After 13 hours of flight, Arriving at JFK, I was greeted by a long immigration line, which gave me over an hour to catch up on calls. Once I made it through, Aakash, who had come to pick me up, was waiting. The coordination was thanks to Aparna, who played middleman via FaceTime, since Aakash typically uses only that app and often misses WhatsApp messages. It was heartwarming to see Aparna’s son, now grown up and studying at university—time really does fly!
I stayed at the Red Roof PLUS+ in Garden City, close to Aakash. After checking in, we headed straight to Banl of America, then Chase Bank, followed by HSBC to take care of my banking errands. Once everything was sorted, Aakash dropped me off, and I wrapped up the day with a quick trip to a nearby mall to buy an electronic converter.
Memphis
The following morning, I flew from LaGuardia to Memphis to reunite with some old friends. Krishna picked me up, and we checked into the Residence Inn Memphis in Germantown. Srini joined us later, and it felt as though no time had passed since we last saw each other. That evening, we enjoyed dinner at a Mexican restaurant and drinks at Rockhouse Live. Krishna had an early business flight the next morning, but we made the most of our time together.
The next day, I took care of some work tasks before heading to Bank of America again. Without Uber available, I had to wait for a bit but eventually made it back to the hotel. Later, I had a surprise catch-up with Anil, who was in town from Florida. It was great to reconnect after all these years.
Next Day, Srini and I took a scenic drive to Tanger Outlets, where we spent a leisurely day shopping. After a few productive hours, we returned to Memphis, feeling grateful for the time to relax and catch up.
Back to New York
With more errands to complete in New York, I flew from Memphis to New Jersey, followed by a two-and-a-half-hour Uber ride back into the city. I tackled banking tasks at HSBC, Chase, and Wells Fargo, grabbed a burger, and then made my way back to Memphis, checking into my hotel near midnight for some well-deserved rest.
Memphis – Part Two
Krishna was back in town, so we headed out to Tanger Outlets in Mississippi once again. Krishna, the enthusiastic shopper, guided me through the stores, making it a productive day. Later, we met Srini and his wife for a delicious lunch at their house before heading out.
Raleigh Reunion
After Memphis, I flew to Raleigh to reconnect with Sala, Geetha, and Hasna. Sala picked me up, and it felt wonderful to be surrounded by close friends again—like being with family. Our days were a blend of laughter, nostalgia, and a few work tasks, with visits to every Chase bank branch we could find almost daily. We also enjoyed homemade meals served on banana leaves, which brought back memories of home.
I reconnected with Noor, who originally introduced me to Sala and the rest of our circle back during our IBM days. One evening, we gathered at Noor’s home to meet his family and savor his spouse’s famous biryani. This time, Sala and Noor prepared it under her watchful guidance, and it was a special evening filled with great food and even better company.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Sandhya, Pradeep, and their family, adding new friends to the mix. Our days together were filled with laughter and fun outings, including a trip to Costco for some shopping. We also visited the beautiful JC Raulston Arboretum, where we admired the lush greenery and blooms, reminiscent of our earlier adventures in Masinagudi. Over the weekend, we visited the North Carolina Museum of Art, soaking in the exhibits and enjoying each other’s company.
Farewell for Now
After a week in Raleigh, it was time to say goodbye. I had a flight to Thailand for an upcoming conference, and though I wished I could have stayed longer, I promised my friends I’d return and catch up with more friends in Texas on my next visit.
This spontaneous trip to the USA turned out to be a heartwarming reunion with friends old and new. Thanks, USA, for the memories and reconnections—I’ll be back soon!