Early Days in Land of Oppurtnity

Bhatta finally persuaded me to write experiences of my early days in United States. Its almost been 11 months and as I retrospect it feels like traveling back in time and witnessing my own past in front, very much similar to ATF official Doug Charlin ( Denzel Washington) in Déjà vu.

Sioux Falls Airport Parking lot, 11th August 06, Friday 9:30 Pm

Three Nepalese (Davendra, Bikrant, and Rojina) were distributing fruits to seven (including myself) hungry, tired but equally excited individuals. I was little surprised, it was not dark still. Soon, two vans started journey towards Brookings. Bikrant was driving at 75 mph (Something I had heard about US). Around 10:30 we reached 726, Medary Avenue and encountered few more new faces. Seven of us dispersed to three different rooms and soon started calling home.

Biwek and I joined six other guys in Apt 1. As we entered the room a loud voice welcomed us “Welcome new friends, I am head cook for today and food is ready for you. I was relieved and delighted at once. He was VJ dai. Apartment 1 was packed with luggage and people, making it difficult to maneuver through it (especially for the drunken legs returning from Bar late night). But it was only the start, few more days and the number of occupants increased to eleven. It was an enjoyable experience and I highly appreciate the help of everyone in room.

A week later, I shifted to my own apartment and orientation classes for new international students started. Tulasi became lucky winner of T-shirt on very first day. Biwek and Deepu Quickly became interested in Tina and Nicole respectively. Life was never difficult even in early days because of all the arrangements done by seniors. I also cannot forget help of Mary ( Sirish Dai and I call her mom) and Dave who arranged so many stuffs for free from church. So, early life in Brookings was easier than expected but one thing was unsettling my mind – “Financial Insecurity” and it continued until I received mail from Dr. Hietpas. It was largely possible because of highly unsatisfied Bunty, who left SDSU and eventually USA even after getting TA (Bunty’s move perplexed, petrified and stupefied everyone). The early American transients started to die and the system moved to reach steady state (Although small transients are always expected to come and go and everyone of us knows ideal steady state can be reached only afterlife).

After my settlement it was turn of my dreams. Some get setteled, some will be setteled eventually but some just fell apart. Unfortunately, I do not have wormhole machine through which I can re-enter my past and repair my dreams.