Personal reflections

Journalists are certainly not the smartest people I know. Usually they are the most competitive, ambitious, unyielding and obstinate, but definitely not the wisest folks in the room. And this is perfectly fine. Come on, this is not a rocket science! We do not have to solve obscure mathematical quandaries.

A friend (I won’t name him, but he’s a reporter and substitute anchor for bTV Bulgarian Television) wrote once in this blog: “I am convinced that some of the best articles will appear in this blog couple of months after the end of the program”.

“Hey Neha, I found this really good Indian restaurant just a couple of blocks from here, and the curry was amazing! You should check it out,” said David King from Australia.

I walked along with the rest of group, and wondered, “But what about me? I’m also Indian. Isn’t it obvious?”

Even before applying to WPI, there was a plan. If I was approved, I would stay almost one month more to cover the United States elections. It would be two dreams at a time, since I’ve always aspired to both participate in a fellowship and to cover the American elections.

Seven days ago my earthly remains have arrived in Vienna after spending 9 weeks in the US. As my fellow fellows know, I haven’t spent a lot of time in one place, so at least I didn’t get used to a specific city or a specific hotel room. I have gotten used to my fellow fellows. I miss them so much, it hurts.

They say after a relationship you hurt half the length of time you were in this relationship. Although I have experienced otherwise, I hope this time it is true. And that after 3 ½ weeks from now, I will start to cherish the memories without missing them so badly.

I left the residence with my host family and spent pretty much every minute talking to them about the-whole-nine-weeks. At the airport, I minded the extra weight in 'Big Bird' and carefully distributed it in my other bags, so I didn't have to pay 75 dollars (!!!!!). At the gate, I tried, as usual, to connect my iPad to the airport wi-fi and, as usual,  couldn't get a decent connection.

I bought a magazine, and some magic gum. My US phone rang for the last couple of times and I had a very funny chat with Ivan a very sad one withe Ledinha. Then I got into the plane.

This post is about memories. This is a final day of the fellowship, and I have to write this.

The things I have lost during this fellowship were constantly in my mind in the days heading to the end. I lost a piece of my universal plug. A cosmetic cream. A bath sponge. I lost and found my medicines, contact lenses and comb. I almost lost my iPhone. And now I am going to lose nine friends.

 
1.       You have money and you actually share it.

I’ve stared to feel intimidated when I order a coffee or a sandwich in the United States. Let me share a recent example from a well known coffee franchise in Chicago. It went something like this.

Me: “Could I have a coffee please?”

Lady:  “What size would you like? Tall, grande or venti?”