Adios Austin (April 17th, 2011)

It was Friday, the April 15th, I was treated by friends at Trudy's. I planned to start from Austin on the following day but coerced myself to stay in Austin on Saturday to complete our short film. However, it turned out to be a disaster.

I got up at 3AM on Sunday. I know, pretty early for a Sunday but I have a job at hand. Got ready by 4 AM and took off to Chicago. My car was filled with so much stuff that I could barely view the rear. Feeling sorry for the state of my car and the long journey ahead, I recited Mrityunjay mantra for 108 times while driving.

I then put in the Ramayanam Pravachanam by Chaganti Koteswara Rao into my music player and started listening to it. Don't mistake me to be an oldie, I'm just inquisitive to learn things and if possible implement. Also, it is better to follow a story to be awake rather than swaying to melodies while driving for so long.

The last memory of Austin was the rising sun at 6 AM along the Texan meadows. It was the most beautiful sunrise I could remember. I went crazy at its sight and stopped my car on the middle of the road to take a picture with my new iPhone which I gifted myself for successful in making a career change which I always dreamt for. Since, I haven't explored all the features of the phone yet and did not have enough to time to assemble my SLR on the middle of the road, I could not make complete justice to the picture but honestly the view was a feast to anyone's eyes.

I drove till Rolla, Missouri by 6PM with just a couple of fuel breaks and while sipping Gatorade. I thought of having a heavy Indian lunch but when I called up my friends who were grad students at Rolla for suggestions on a good Indian restaurant, they mentioned that Rolla doesen't have any. I was shocked considering the number and the plight of the Indian students at the University. I went into Starbucks and ate some junk food and bought some fruits for the night in the store beside. Then started hunting for a cheap but decently reviewed motel. I pinned on one and finally went to bed by about 10 PM after chatting with my mom and reporting my well-being.

I then started by 6 AM on Monday and reached Chicago by mid-day, again skipping lunch. I love sipping the Vanilla Mc Shake while on long drives and considering its calorie count, I don't feel lunch necessary :).

After reaching the suburbs of Chicago, I stopped again by another Starbucks and started browsing on my housing alternatives which I researched from Austin. Thanks to their free internet incentive, I would never have stepped into any Starbucks store if not for the incentive as I don't consume coffee.

After checking a couple of options, I visited downtown and after unloading my luggage at Avi's place. I parked my car on the road based on my friend's suggestion and here comes the twist. Next morning, my first day in Chicago, I was welcomed by the city by towing away my car. I had to pay $180 and the cost for the cab to get there to free my car.

Most people who know me would know that I would be distraught after getting my car towed away. But, thanks to my new found skill I was practicing, I was rather happy to pay the fee. Don't judge me by thinking something is wrong with me. The skill is to practice "Stitha Pragnyatha" - The art of being unperturbed by emotions be it happiness or sadness.

Thus, I bid adieu to my home after home (Austin) after staying there for close to four years of my life. More importantly, its the quality of the four years and the unforgettable things that I have learnt here that matter rather than the quantity.