A ten day escapade

I am staying in Los Angeles for 10 days now. This is my share of the myriad exploits in the first 10 days in a different country altogether.

A ‘science center’ reminds me of Visweswaraiah Industrial and Technological museum back in Bangalore! The first time I went there when I was a mere primary school going child, the pulleys and the various experimental devices to show us the properties of light fascinated me. These were sure to stay in my mind throughout school and college, when I studied kinematics and optics in detail.

Here I was in a different setting, the Science Center near my university in Los Angeles, expecting something similar. It surely transcends expectations. Apart from physics, they had made an attempt to help children understand the basics of everything we see around us. It surely aroused the childlike curiosity in us. I and my friends were particularly charmed by a video which explains the working of a microprocessor likening it to a football game! The various ecosystems where also shown in different rooms. We were all excited that we could touch star fish, sea urchins and some other sea animals. As it was my first day out in Los Angeles, I was more interested in the people around me, dressed well, in their own style. There is a considerable Mexican population here. I hope to learn Spanish soon. ‘Rapido’ is one word I picked up. It means faster, of course.

Before entering the science museum, I had tasted ‘churros’, a Spanish pastry sold on the footpath. That was the first snack I tasted in the United States of America. I had vegetarian Burritos for lunch. I could not savour the dish happily as I was feeling guilty of spending a good 8 dollars for that vegetarian dish. Every time I swiped the debit card, my father would get an email informing him of the transaction, which made me feel all the more guilty.

Another day, another dining experience at a nearby cafe was enlightening. There was a bookshelf with a good number of books on it. I learned that we could leave a book of our own and take another one. I decided I would go back there soon with one of my books. I looked around to see people busy with books and laptop computers.

Shopping for groceries seems to be a lot of fun here! It is because I hardly had to do it myself before and because of the huge variety of each item in the stores. The variety is a disadvantage too. We find it hard to decide what to buy. An aisle of ice creams at the store surely put a big smile on my face. The colourful mouthwatering cakes were very alluring too. If I ever feel depressed or miss my home, family and friends a lot, I could just come here and look at all the desserts!

A ride on a bus here was something I was looking forward to since the first day, and I finally boarded a bus yesterday. Again, the systematic practice was striking. The front door was to get on the bus and the back doors to get off. Each passenger waited in queue to get on and deposit one dollar in the machine near the bus driver. I was still getting used to people saying ‘thank you’ for doing something we are supposed to do. I had always taken it for granted!

After shopping for some household items yesterday, we ventured to a clothes store. It is when I chose a sweater for myself that I was struck by the fact that I am in a country where food costs more than clothes! I was slightly happy, considering that I did not have to feel guilty for buying clothes.

I am looking forward to exploring and discovering the city as much as I would like to. A trivial incident there, a casual episode here, and a lot more to encounter.