A Warm Welcome by America

It all started on the day I left India to come to US for my Masters in Entertainment Technology at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh. With a heavy heart I had to bid a goodbye to my family and friends. I was nervous about how I would manage to live in an entirely new country and with a completely different culture. While I had these thoughts running in my mind I happened to meet a great personality named "Chris Johnston". I learnt that Chris hailed from UK. We had a 9 hour long conversation on the flight about Mumbai, Indian Music, A. R. Rahman, Life in India,  Bollywood movies, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin etc. That was the shortest flight for both of us. We exchanged numbers, clicked pictures. We never realized when the plane took off and when it landed in Pittsburgh. I would speak more about Chris and about our friendship in my next post.

Chris clicked this picture of me in the flight from Paris to Pittsburgh

Me and Chris at Pittsburgh International Airport

As soon as we reached our housing we had some pizza and immediately left to take a look at one of the most prestigious Universities in the world :) ... The CMU campus basked under its own lights.

The passage way aside "Carnegie School of Drama"

It felt proud as I walked by the passageway aside the Carnegie School of Drama. I was blown away by the "Walk to the sky" structure that gave out a strong self explanatory message. Even the "Randy Pausch Bridge" was breathtakingly beautiful with its changing lights along the walls.

In the next few days I explored the area, bus routes, stores etc. I was surprised to not find any dust at all on the roads. I liked the way the traffic and crossings were organized. I was amazed to find that the vehicles used no horns, there was a 10 feet gap between 2 cars in case of a traffic and the drivers valued pedestrians a lot when they crossed roads. I enjoyed watching sports cars, Harley Davidson motorbikes, beautiful architecture and courteous people. The sun didn't set until it was 8:30 PM.  We were setting the house up with groceries and supplies. It felt great!

"Walk to the sky" at Carnegie Mellon University

A watch tower at Carnegie Mellon University

Main Campus Entrance of Carnegie Mellon University

A vintage car on my way to Craig Street, Pittsburgh

It has been almost 2 weeks since I landed in Pittsburgh and I didn't realize how time has passed by. I met a number of people during the orientation and during my visits to the main campus. It feels great to meet so many new people of diverse cultures in a reputed University like Carnegie Mellon. It has been fun to visit new places, to play football, to try my hand at pool, to click photographs, to celebrate Independence Day, to explore advanced technology and above all to  get accustomed to with new customs and traditions. People and quite gentle and courteous in their way of talking and their actions here. I love the way they say "Hi! How are you doing today," when you come to meet them OR "Thank you. Have a great day," when you take their leave. It makes me wonder why don't people from my country (India) be gentle and courteous. It doesn't take much to greet the person with a "Hi" OR wish them luck.

The traditional CMU fence painted in Tricolor during Indian Independence Day celebrartions

The mesmerizing, color-changing "Randy Pausch Bridge" during night time

While there are so many amazing things that I have been discovering throughout, I'm eagerly waiting  for my classes to begin. I haven't seen the Entertainment Technology Center yet. But, it's believed to be one of the most exciting places to go to. I should plan a visit in a  day or two.
For now, I must definitely say that America has given me an indeed "Warm Welcome".