American Goa - I
I finally bought a laptop a couple of days ago and have run out of excuses for not updating the blog. Was thinking I'd give you guys a day-by-day recount of events since I left Bangalore, but I really haven't been doing anything you might be interested in ... lots of classes, bus rides, waits at bus stops and other exciting things which I will spare you of ... so here is the much edited version ...
I lucked out with both the long flights, seat next to me was empty through out on both. Had some crap Korean food and managed to sprawl out and sleep through most of it. Despite all the sleep I was still quite disoriented by the time I got to the hotel, by about noon. Check-in at 2 ... on my way up in the lift along with a friendly American family ... manage to have a bit of a conversation ... told them I'd just arrived from India after an epic 30 hour journey ... the kids think it over for a bit and start chanting 'go to the beach' 'go to the beach' ... I managed a polite smile getting off the lift.
A bath and a couple of hours of sleep and I was good to go. Set out to walk to the university with a very basic map in hand. Promptly got lost after about 30 mins, tried asking for directions a couple of times, got replies in Japanese both times (?!), gave up and found my way back to the hotel.
Went out again in a couple of hours and got a burger at the hotel next door. I didn't know it then but I was just one floor below what is possibly the only gay burger joint in the world ... rainbow flags and all!
Ok, day-1 took a while to go through ... will fast-forward through other uninteresting parts from now on :-)
Met Khai (classmate, who was also staying at the same hotel) and we checked out the university in the morning, buildings and campus largely unimpressive. Had lunch on campus and set out to have a look at JAIMS, which is a lot nicer.
Back at JAIMS the next day (after a $35 taxi ride, since we missed multiple buses by standing at the wrong stop). The good Indian that I am, I was 10 mins late for the first session of the course.
Our class has quite a mix, everyone else has lived in either China or Japan or at least been there for a significant amount of time. I'll have to work extra hard on the language, almost no one else is at beginner level ... and even then, they know a bit already. I should have sat my ass in Bangalore and learnt some Japanese for the last two months. But yeah ... the partying was good too ;-)
After much thought I decided to stay at Hawaii Kai which is about 15 miles from the university since I need to go to UHM only twice a week. Finding a place was a bit difficult, way easier than in Bangalore though :-) And like in Bangalore, I got a place slightly above my initial budget and with a room (attic now) that I don't need or use. Its got cable and airconditioning included so I'm not complaining.
I'm half way settled now; one can't be settled here without a car, I'm working on that now and should have full or part ownership of one by next week. And yeah, while we are on cars, to get a Hawai'i license a SSN is required. This is of course waived for students who cannot get an SSN. But of course the DMV wont take your word for it ... so you have to go to homeland security and apply for an SSN, then ask them to fax the denial to DMV and then go to DMV within the next 2 weeks to begin with the written and driving tests. I spent all morning at homeland security to get them to send the denial to DMV. Will take the tests sometime next week.
I have a phone now +1(808)2065279. They don't have free incoming anywhere in America, I'm charged 12 cents for every minute (costs dad 20 cents to call me from his cell). Weekends are free, I'll probably be shifting to a nights also free plan next month ... but don't hesitate to call whenever, these guys are out to rob me in anycase.
Am tired after all this typing ... also have some homework to catchup on. American beer and other interesting topics the next time I get down to doing this.
Aloha!
I lucked out with both the long flights, seat next to me was empty through out on both. Had some crap Korean food and managed to sprawl out and sleep through most of it. Despite all the sleep I was still quite disoriented by the time I got to the hotel, by about noon. Check-in at 2 ... on my way up in the lift along with a friendly American family ... manage to have a bit of a conversation ... told them I'd just arrived from India after an epic 30 hour journey ... the kids think it over for a bit and start chanting 'go to the beach' 'go to the beach' ... I managed a polite smile getting off the lift.
A bath and a couple of hours of sleep and I was good to go. Set out to walk to the university with a very basic map in hand. Promptly got lost after about 30 mins, tried asking for directions a couple of times, got replies in Japanese both times (?!), gave up and found my way back to the hotel.
Went out again in a couple of hours and got a burger at the hotel next door. I didn't know it then but I was just one floor below what is possibly the only gay burger joint in the world ... rainbow flags and all!
Ok, day-1 took a while to go through ... will fast-forward through other uninteresting parts from now on :-)
Met Khai (classmate, who was also staying at the same hotel) and we checked out the university in the morning, buildings and campus largely unimpressive. Had lunch on campus and set out to have a look at JAIMS, which is a lot nicer.
Back at JAIMS the next day (after a $35 taxi ride, since we missed multiple buses by standing at the wrong stop). The good Indian that I am, I was 10 mins late for the first session of the course.
Our class has quite a mix, everyone else has lived in either China or Japan or at least been there for a significant amount of time. I'll have to work extra hard on the language, almost no one else is at beginner level ... and even then, they know a bit already. I should have sat my ass in Bangalore and learnt some Japanese for the last two months. But yeah ... the partying was good too ;-)
After much thought I decided to stay at Hawaii Kai which is about 15 miles from the university since I need to go to UHM only twice a week. Finding a place was a bit difficult, way easier than in Bangalore though :-) And like in Bangalore, I got a place slightly above my initial budget and with a room (attic now) that I don't need or use. Its got cable and airconditioning included so I'm not complaining.
I'm half way settled now; one can't be settled here without a car, I'm working on that now and should have full or part ownership of one by next week. And yeah, while we are on cars, to get a Hawai'i license a SSN is required. This is of course waived for students who cannot get an SSN. But of course the DMV wont take your word for it ... so you have to go to homeland security and apply for an SSN, then ask them to fax the denial to DMV and then go to DMV within the next 2 weeks to begin with the written and driving tests. I spent all morning at homeland security to get them to send the denial to DMV. Will take the tests sometime next week.
I have a phone now +1(808)2065279. They don't have free incoming anywhere in America, I'm charged 12 cents for every minute (costs dad 20 cents to call me from his cell). Weekends are free, I'll probably be shifting to a nights also free plan next month ... but don't hesitate to call whenever, these guys are out to rob me in anycase.
Am tired after all this typing ... also have some homework to catchup on. American beer and other interesting topics the next time I get down to doing this.
Aloha!
posted by GyanMaster at 3:25 PM
1 comments
