New Jersey

Well..after an eventful last day in India..I reached Princeton, New Jersey yesterday evening. I was to reach at 4:25 a.m but actually landed at 5:30 p.m! The story goes on something like this.

I took Tuesday off since I had some packing to do and considering the kind of person I am, there would be stuff I had forgotten, stuff I had to re-do and loads of stuff that I hadn't even thought of doing. Anyways, it started off with my usual procrastination till I just HAD to start. I started by finishing off some leftover work at the office. The plan was to finish my work, do some last minute shopping, complete packing, have dinner and move out by 8:30 p.m. to catch the 11:30 p.m. flight. 

I started my work but midway through it, I get a phone call. It was the travel agent and he goes like.."your Continental Airlines to Newark has been cancelled!!". I was like wtf!!..what to do now?! Well..the guy said that he can book the next available flight, but for that, I need an approval. And thus started a series of phone calls to my office's travel desk..my manager..his manager. After an hour of anxiety and unlimited phone calls, the agent mailed me the new tickets. Now, previously, the flight was a non-stop one till Newark. This one, had a stopover at Amsterdam and a connecting flight after 8 hours!! Well, I had no option but to go with it. One good thing was, there was extra baggage. The Continental flight had no extra baggage..which meant that I could carry only 1 piece of luggage and a handbag. Me and dad had painstakingly put everything in 2 bags the night before. Now, it had to be repacked into 2 bags and a handbag. By the time, everything was done, there was only time for a very quick drink and dinner. My bro and sis-in-law joined us as we had dinner. 

We left the house at 9:15 pm or so and reached at 10:00pm. My flight was at 1:50 a.m! Thankfully the T3 is big and there are a lotta things to explore. I was roaming around in one of those bookstores when I saw a fridge which had beer in it!! I ran towards it only to find that those c*nts were selling it for 245 Rs. for a pint!!! Sadly, I had to pass. I waited and waited before it was finally time for my flight.

On the flight, there wasn't much to look around, since it was night time. But they did have a nice collection of movies. I saw 127 hours and found it absolutely amazing! I loved it. I mean I started the movie at 2:00 am in the morning and it made me forget that I was sleepy! Anyways, it ended at like 4:00 am or so. I slept till they served us breakfast. 

I landed at Amsterdam before the scheduled time. In fact, the pilot told us even before taking off, that we'd land before time! I envied that guy's confidence. Anyways, when I reached the airport, nothing was open. I cleaned up before deciding to have some breakfast. The menu had coffee at 4.60 Euros, Water at 4.00 Euros and Heineken draught at 4:20 Euros!! Logic said that I should buy Beer!..it's what anyone will do. Especially if you have logic like mine! Anyways, but it was 6:30 in the morning and I was in a what-would-the-others-think mode. I bought a coffee instead and had a muffin along with it. Thats when I saw 3 separate guys having beer! And I was like screw it!..I am having beer. But by the time I finished the muffin, I was feeling full. I lazed around for sometime, reading my book and dozing off in between. I woke up to find it was 10 a.m..still 3 more hours to go. I had a couple of beers finally and enjoyed every moment of it. Soon it was time for the flight. The flight was an 8 hour one till Newark. But I slept through most of it. 

After landing, it took almost an hour for baggage claim and immigration. I had asked the office guys to send a taxi for me. I found the guy holding a placard with my name outside. Well, after a 40 minute drive, I reached my hotel Staybridge Suites.

The entire New Jersey is facing a merciless winter with snow storms every other day. There's snow everywhere! Its all they are talking about in the news too! 

My room is pretty cool..its really big with a small living room, a kitchenette and a bedroom! Cleaning is included and they have free breakfast every day! The best part is that they serve free dinner Tuesday-Thursday with free beer!!...yes..if there's anything better than beer....its free beer!! Anyways, I was just back from dinner and looking forward to laze around fighting away my jet lag. I have 2 T.Vs in my room to laze around with! Unlike Japan, there is stuff to watch as well. Anyways, thats it I guess, gatta fight sleep for another 2 hours!