Visit to US 2003

Our visit to US-(August 2003). 

 Jessie and K.George John.

 Introduction.
 I have recorded below some of my observations and views as a first time visitor to the USA. We could travel around a large area as we stayed for 4 months in Fort Lauderdale in Florida as our base. These notes were not made after any research or study and are my observations and opinions. I thought that these would be of interest, to a large majority of people, who were unable to visit or see as much of USA on short visits. Views expressed are personal and are made with good intensions.

 Our Emirates flight from Kochi to Dubai was in luxury, as we were upgraded. We enjoyed a two-course lunch; choice of champagne, choice of movies on individual large TV screens and wide seats with mechanical foot rests, on our 4-hour flight. We had to take a long walk through the beautiful Dubai airport to our departure gate, for the connecting flight in 90 minutes. There was time to have a quick look at the large duty free shops. Our Emirates flight to London was delayed by one hour due to 115 F temperatures outside. However our flight was comfortable and we had a wonderful view of Heathrow area from our window seats. After a night stay with my cousin at Corydon, about an hour’s drive (through some beautiful area) from airport, we resumed our journey next morning on Virgin Atlantic Airlines. We had a comfortable 81/2-hour flight and landed 30 minutes ahead of schedule at Miami airport. We were held up at the Emigration for 3 hours, due to an unusual crowd of passengers from many flights. One-hour drive through some beautiful roads and residential areas, took us to our son’s residence in Fort Lauderdale by evening. It took about three days` time to get over the jet lag and get our bodies adjust to the time change.

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, a part of Sunrise City in South Florida, is a beautiful place, like most other places in Florida. The roads and public places are beautifully landscaped and the residential areas and public parks are even more beautifully maintained, with a large number of lakes and waterways. Most of the trees, Hedges and Grass on the median and side skirts of roads, have permanent minisprinklers to water them and the grass is cut and maintained regularly. The tax money is properly utilized for maintaining the city. 
Visits to Orlando
 We had a memorable weekend visit to Orlando, about 220 miles north of Fort Lauderdale. It was a three-hour drive on the beautiful 6 lane Interstate Express Highway 95, on which most vehicles move at an average speed of 130 kms per hour. The expressway has no road junctions or traffic lights. The high way has clear signs and exits to cities and rest areas. The rest areas have many places to eat and shop and have very clean toilets and other facilities. Orlando has many attractions like The Disney land, Universal studios and many other amusement parks and tourist attractions. Orlando has the second largest number of hotels in US, second only to Las Vegas, the city that does not sleep. In two days we could only see the Universal Studios, the Holy-land Experience and a famous permanent Canadian Circus. The circus was expensive at 60$ per person, but was a magnificent show for two hours. All the 3D and IMAX shows and rides and attractions (I did not take the difficult rides but Jessie did some) at the Universal studios, were wonderful. The seats in the theatre move up, down, sideways and jerk, with water sprays from sides, above and air blast from below the seat, and surround sound system, which give a 4^th dimension physical feeling, of the 3D image you see. It takes about three days to go through most of the shows and rides and we had to be selective.  The Holy-land Experience is a show and presentation of Jerusalem and historical documents of the Bible, which are very informative, and can, keep an interested person, engaged for a day. 

To Orlando Again.
 We visited Orlando again, after a month, to see the Sea World, Magic Kingdom and the Epcot center. Each of these takes more than a day each. There are many more attractions like Animal Kingdom, Pleasure Island, Disney MGM Studios, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon and many others, each of which will take a day and one has to be selective. The Sea World and the Magic Kingdom are designed more for the children and educative through fascinating high-tech rides and shows. A boat ride through the Jungles of the World, will take you close to life sized animated models of animals and tribes, which move and sound real. A ride through Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the World can take you by surprise, with life like animated models, visuals and sounds. All the theme parks have advanced roller coasters and water rides of different kinds. We went on a water ride, called Splash Mountain, with steep drops and twists and also on a fast, rough rocket ride with sharp twists, climbs and drops in an enclosed structure called Space Mountain. The Epcot center has more advanced information, through well-designed and attractive hi-tech rides and presentations. We took a ride called Mission Space, a simulated take off and ride, to Mars in a space shuttle. You are assigned as a Pilot, Navigator or Engineer and have to manipulate the (mock) controls on command. The visuals on your screens are actual views, from a space flight. You are given the feeling of take off, flight and landing, including high g forces and Zero gravity. While I enjoyed the ride, I was feeling uncomfortable towards the end. After the journey, I could barely walk out and had motion sickness for two hours. I had to take more than an hour’s rest and skip a few pavilions while Jessie visited them. The Land pavilion, sponsored by the Nestles, was of particular interest to me, as it took us on a water ride through to an advanced Agriculture demonstration area, where all kinds of genetically modified tropical crops (including a dwarf Jack-tree with normal sized fruits) are grown, most without any soil. You can drive a real racing car at 200 to 240 kms/hr on the circular Test Track (I did not want to experience motion sickness again). You are taken, through the human body in the Wonders of Life or experience the Universe of Energy, in some of the Future World sections. In the section called World Showcase, 12 countries give you a taste of their countries with rides through animated models or scenes, presentations, shows, 360-degree films etc. All of them have large restaurants and bars serving that countries specialties and large shops selling it’s products. The show at the Epcot center concludes, each day, with a magnificent light and fire works display, over the center lake, at 9pm.
 St Augustine We visited St Augustine, which is about 300 miles from Fort Lauderdale, on the east coast of Florida. This time we drove on the Eastern State highway A1, which is non Toll 6 lane road. With many intersections and traffic signals, it takes longer, but one can see more of the cities and the countryside. Part of the drive was on the east coast, close to the sea, through a series of beautiful beach resorts, with a long stretch of inland coastal waterways, on the west side. A large number of modern high arch bridges, allow large boats to pass under them (like the Kerala Kuttanadu bridges, but much larger), connect the main land with these beaches. The inland coastal waterway is used for water transport, all the way north to New York.
 
  St Augustine, is the first European settlement on the US coast. They have preserved the history from 1565, when the Spanish first landed at this coast and named the area (entire US which they knew at that time), La Florida (The land of Flowers). The place has been developed into a beautiful tourist attraction, with historical fort, monuments and attractions. The old part of the city is maintained, in old Spanish style and dress of the period, with soldiers marching on the streets and the fort. With a long sea beach on the east and large inland waterway on west. The place offer facilities for all water sports, inland and off shore fishing, boating and other entertainment activities. The hotel we stayed, had not less than one dozen large boats on trailers, with powerful (200 Hp or more) outboard motors, of hobby fishing individuals. One can see hundreds of expensive boats, on trailers, behind cars or vans on the highways of Florida.
Kennedy Space Center (NASA)
 One-hour drive south of St Augustine is Kennedy Space Center, NASA at Cape Canaveral. We stayed in a place called Indian Beach, about an hour’s drive south from NASA. On the way we passed the Air force station and the Port of Cape Canaveral, where about three large cruise ships were berthed, very close to the road. We spent the whole day at the Kennedy Space Center. A conducted tour to the launch sites and other facilities by special buses, took nearly three hours. We could see four 3D / IMAX shows, depicting the history of space flights, views from flight decks, life in the shuttle, space ship, future programmes and close up on-board views of Mars and Moon landings. There was so much to see, that we did not get time to have lunch. We returned taking the faster Interstate 95 and reached home by midnight.

Down Town Fort Lauderdale

Our visit to Down Town (the city or Business area) Fort Lauderdale and the beach was also very revealing in many ways. Car parking is expensive, but there are plenty of public and private parking facilities, many of them in multistory buildings of 15 to 20 floors. The main streets have walkways with large number and variety of Restaurants, Bars and shops all over, offering many discounts and free drinks. Florida is full of waterways, canals, lakes and rivers. There is a coastal inland waterway,goes all the way up north, to New York. The coastal islands with beaches are connected by a series of bridges, which are high or can be lifted to allow large boats or medium ships to pass through the waterway. The more busy larger highways go through underground tunnels. Fort Lauderdale, like all the coastal cities of Florida, has very long, clean and attractive beaches. Many larger hotels are located right on the beach, with access through  their own elevators or lifts, with covered pathways above the road.  A four-lane road runs parallel to the beach, with one side full of different kinds of restaurants and bars, all of which are full most of the time. Water sports of all kinds like Surfing, Boating, Water Scooters, Para Gliding are very popular. Large crowd of all ages are always on the beach, Swimming. Sunbathing or playing, with hardly any clothing on them. The Miami Beach is also very similar, being famous, more crowded with more bars and restaurants with less parking area. After sunset the crowd moves to the noisy bars and eating-places near the beach.

Visit to Chicago.

We spent about 5 days in Chicago, one of the largest industrial cities in USA. The downtown or business area is on the western shore of Lake Michigan. The lake is about 600 kms long, 400 kms wide and 250 meters deep in many places. The old Navy pier, used for training during World War II, has been modified into a tourist attraction, with boat rides, Yachting, 3D IMAX film shows, amusement rides, exhibitions, large convention Centers/dance floors, a large array of restaurants and bars. We went up on a 150 feet tall Ferris wheel, for a grand view of the waterfront. Car parking in this area in a multistory facility, cost US$18 for about 4 hours. Large number of skyscrapers lines the waterfront, with tallest Sears Towers, with a viewing gallery, on the 103rd floor. This attract large number of tourists, day and late into the night. A fast lift will take you to the 103 floor, in less than two minutes. The viewing gallery is provided with a number of computer screens on each side, which identify important landmarks, with touch screens to read the history of each. There are many pay and use telescopes provided on all sides. The view at night, with all the lights, I understand, is beautiful (our visit was during day time). Most people, who work in this down town area, live in suburban cities (towns), which are 30 to 40 miles away. With beautiful road systems, it takes only less than 45 minutes to an hour, to cover this distance, even during peak traffic hours.
About 3 to four months from December Chicago, will have snow all over. Snow is removed mechanically from public roads and kept open for vehicles. It is the ownners` responsibility to clear the snow from the front of your home, upto and including the foot path.Trees shed their leaves in October/November,at fall season and in winter most trees have no leaves.  It is very beautiful to see the countryside, in yellow and red colors, before the trees shed their leaves. 
 We spent a day at the large and modern aquarium. It has one of the largest collections of fresh water, saline water and sea fishes and creatures. It is designed to educate the visitors, particularly children, with interactive information on small computers or other devices, at all stations with much information about the exhibits. There is a large collection of different kinds of sharks, five whales and many dolphins. There is a large collection of Penguins in an artificially controlled temperature and light, where they lay eggs, hatch them and shed feathers etc as seasons are changed. There is a large live Anaconda from the Amazon forests. One lungfish among many on display, from Australia, was brought to the aquarium in 1933. It is about 10 kgs in weight and already more than 80 years old and they do not know how long it will live. It is one of the closest fish to Mammals. Many other newly discovered fishes are also under close study for the first time here. The dolphins show is not only a performance, but also educative, as they explain their behavior and how they study, train and breed them in captivity. Two of them were pregnant and they showed the audience how to identify them.

Our approach to science and Development.

At this point my thoughts went to an Indian news, that some pseudo nature lovers forced sea lions and dolphins, to be released from performing in Chennai (South India). I was thinking how a few ill informed groups, with misplaced priorities, are allowed to block progress and development in India. (Should we not release all the cows, pets, domestic animals and dogs from captivity?!). It is a pity that we protest against frogs, guinea pigs or monkeys, being used for research in medicine. We object to genetic engineering being used to improve our crops, or for new treatments for illness. Millions of our people are suffering diseases and go hungry. We protest against Coca Cola and MacDonald’s, (though no one is forcing anyone to consume them), instead of developing and improving, our own products and services. We have Bandhs and Hartals every other week in Kerala, but no one has real concern for productivity, economic development, or progress. It is a reality that in today’s world no one can have a protected economy, even Cuba and China have accepted it.. We must remember that others like China, Thailand and Malaysia, are making much progress, using new technologies. The same GE Products, will come to India from them, at cheaper cost and we as a nation will be left behind, in our own progress and developments. Recent reports from Russia, China, and many other countries on their responses to Genetically Engineered products are note worthy. Those who oppose scientific studies and new GE products, due to   inadequate knowledge, should get some more exposure and a broader vision,for our own good.
Chicago Field museum.
We spent a day in the famous Chicago  Field museum. The prized exhibit is the largest and most complete (90%) skeleton of a Dinocerous, named Sue. The exhibits here are also designed and arranged section wise, to be educative with much interactive options, for children in particular. We could only cover four sections in a day, which was about 1/4th of the large and beautiful three-story building. We covered `Treasures of Egypt` `Life Underground`, `Gems Gallery` and `History of Man`. The Egypt section has large collection of real mummies, other artifacts, models of Pyramids and life styles of ancient Egypt, with many descriptions. In the Underground life, you move into a tunnel, with the models of living things under the ground, magnified many times, to make us feel small, most of them animated. The deliberate visuals and models give you a miniaturized feeling, observing soil organisms and insects, under the soil. The History of Man, takes you through the evolution of life, with many models and audiovisual screens. Models, fossils and skeletal remains of creatures, from prehistoric period are on display in the chronological order. This being a research museum, one is allowed through glass windows to see, actual restoration of fossils etc being carried out by technicians in their workstations. Incidentally, MacDonald’s funds this part of the research section. We could not read or listen to information fully, due to limitation of time. In almost a full day, we could quickly cover only four out of 16 major sections. Both the Museum and the Aquarium are provided with restaurants and fast food counters and adequate number of clean toilets. A single parking up to 8 hours is $10/- and in many other down town (commercial) area, parking is $12/- or more for 8 hours.  All public places have many rest areas, with free clean toilets, bathrooms and plenty of different kinds of restaurants, fast food chains like KFC, MacDonald’s, Burger Kings, PizaHuts etc and Bars. The money collected is well used, to provide these amenities and to maintain beautiful streets and roads with flowers and trees.

Key West-Florida.
We made a 200-mile road trip, to the Key West, the southern most point of US, only 90 miles north of Cuba. The first 70 miles are on an Interstate Express way and rest mostly four or two lane highway. The chain of islands stretches about 150 miles into the sea and is now connected by a single highway with a series of long bridges, one of which is 7 miles (11 kms) long,.The bridge has 4 lanes and a hump to allow ships to pass. Many other bridges, have drawbridges, which can be lifted to allow ships or large boats to pass. This is a narrow strip of islands, with Atlantic Ocean on the east and Gulf of Mexico on the west. A Millionaire visionary named Henry Flagler, ventured to build a railway line 240 miles into the sea, to connect these islands up to Cuba. He succeeded in building 150 miles of railroad, up to Key West (considered by most engineers to be impossible), by 1912 and rode the first train. He died 16 moths later; at the age of 82, but his Rail Road Company was the only land link to these islands till 1935, when hurricane Andrew destroyed it. The bridges were not damaged much and the rail line was converted into a motorable road link by 1937. This was made into a modern highway in 1982. It is a beautiful drive, with a series of bridges going through many small islands, water on both sides and large number of people fishing in their boats, on the shores or bathing near each of the islands.  People here are willing to spend much of their money, to really enjoy open air, sun and the sea.
On our way we stopped at Windley Key Island, to see the Fossil Reef Geological Park. This is an old lime stone quarry, of Flagler, started in 1908 to build his railroad and buildings. The mine was operative till late 1960s.The stones were used for construction of large buildings and monuments, as no other stone was available nearby. These limestone are made of compressed corrals and are thousands of years old. The mining activity has exposed large vertical cross sections of the corral reef, which enables to study fossilized sea creatures, from the prehistoric period. The walking trails guide you to a surprising variety of plant species, native to the island’s fragile thin crust of soil on top of the corals. 
 
 We had lunch at the next island called Islamorada, in a well known sea food restaurant, sitting on a deck in the water, with large fishes (some of them 10 kgs or more) swimming all around us. We enjoyed the good sea (expensive) food, though it was warm and humid.  One can manage a lunch in a fast food chain for about 10 $ and in a better restaurant it would cost about $20/- per person. A 3 or 5 course lunch in a good hotel would cost around $ 50/ per person. The waiters are not paid well and the tips, if not included in the bill, are about 10 to 15% of the billed amount. 
 
 The Key West ,is a small island settlement, which attract large crowd of tourists. It is a beautiful old town on the southern most island of USA. It has many nice clean beaches, water sports, and scuba diving, glass bottom boat rides to the corrals.. Glass bottom boat ride for 2 hours is $50/- and a combination of water sports is $150/-. The town is clean and many of its` old style buildings and residential flats are maintained beautifully. The main Duval Street is full of shops, bars (many noisy and crowded) and restaurants, right up to the waterfront. Car parking is very difficult and most people hire scooters or use conducted mini buses, to move about. Plenty of scooters, three wheeler scooters and small electric cars are available on hire everywhere. So far this is the only place I saw in US; where type of Scooters used in India and Cycle Rickshaws are in use.
Downtown Miami
 Our next visit was to Downtown Miami area and an old residential area called Coconut Groove. We also visited the Key Biscayne island adjacent to Miami, connected by a long bridge, over the inter coastal waterway. The island has long beautiful shallow beaches and a large Tennis and Rugby facility, where they also hold international professional tournaments. We had lunch in a Cuban wayside restaurant and discovered that many dishes are made with Tapioca. Many of the women who move around the beaches and restaurants on their cycles or roller skates have most of their attractive body exposed.
We spent about two hours in a mansion built in 1916, by James Deering, like the Italian Renaissance Villas, with his own large collection of European Artifacts. Burrell Hoffman designed the two-story mansion, Diego Suarez planed the gardens and Paul Chalfin,was the general artistic supervisor for the project. It is built with cut corral stones and has tiled roof. It is called `Vizcaya` and was lived in by Deering, who was Vice President of International Harvester Co. who died in 1925.. The Miami Dade County purchased this, in1952 and is maintained as a National Historic Landmark. The 10 bedroom are furnished in a different style, from different periods (from 1500 AD)) and Countries. There are two master bedrooms, one large family room, many study rooms, flower room, meeting room, separate breakfast room and dining rooms(in different floors, with separate pantry), and a large well appointed kitchen with food elevator to the dining rooms. The large collection of crockery, cutlery and crystals, ware all monogrammed and includes the collection from two of his private luxuary yachts. The mansion overlooks the sea with a private jetty, which is protected by a carved stone ship in the water. There is also a beautiful garden with many carved statues, busts, platforms and many fountains. This Villa was the meeting place of President Reagan with Pope John Paul II in 1987 and 43 leaders of the western hemisphere, with President Clinton in1994. Queen Elizabeth II visited this Villa in1991.
West coast of Florida
 On our way back from Orlando, we took a longer route via the west coast of Florida, to visit Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and for a drive through the western cities like Fort Meyers, Tampa, Naples etc.with beautiful beaches on the bay of Mexico. This drive takes you on a spectacular new bridge, over Tampa Bay, high enough to allow any ship to pass under it, to reach Tampa port. Last 50 miles of this express way to Fort Lauderdale, goes through Everglades (extensive swamps), with steel fences both above on the road sside and below ground level, to stop vehicles, moving at high speeds, from crashing and sinking into the everglades. There are crocodiles in the everglade swamps. At night traffic is less and people tend to drive fast on this section and loose control. There are no petrol stations or rest areas, for about 50 miles. Every mile marker is provided on this express way (and most others), with emergency call phones.
  The Homosassa State Park,was made more interesting, as it has hourly programme to educate visitors on Manatees (Dugongs or Sea Cows), Alligators and Reptiles. They have a collection of birds, reptiles and animals of this area, under natural conditions. The reception area and the main park buildings have much informative models, specimens and charts. You can reach the park display area, through a creek, in a soundless electric boat or on a tram. There is an underwater observation chamber, where you can see the manatees and fishes at close quarters. This chamber is built over a fresh water underground spring, giving out more than 2 million gallons of water per hour, at a constant temperature of 60 F, through out the year. They also have an old Show Hippo, which is not native of this place and give a lecture on it also, to educate the visitors. The small 200-acre park is well maintained, with good wooden walkways, for visitors to observe animals at close quarters in the display area. The spring flows into a beautiful bay, in which the local residents enjoy boating and fishing.
Our visit to New York and surrounding northeastern states.
 Our visit to New York and surrounding northeastern states were in autumn, with nice and cool weather. After spending a day each with two different friends in different parts of New York City (New Hide Park and White Fields). We traveled by a luxury bus, to an exclusive beach resort area, called East Quogue, in Hampton on Long Island. We stayed with a doctor friend (married to an American lady), with a beautiful Home, facing the bay. The beach front here is full of multimillion summer home of the rich and we could not enjoy the evening visit to the beach, due to very cold windy conditions. We enjoyed next morning, the sunrise and nice idly, sambar and coconut chutney breakfast, freshly made by the American lady. We left by road to Manhattan with our son Isaac(Sajay).. Manhattan is an island on Hudson River mouth to the ocean, with New York on one side and New Jersey City at the other side. It is connected to both sides, with many multi level bridges,like the Washington Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge and many underwater tunnels. Since parking is very difficult and expensive (about 20 $ for 4 hours), we parked the car in a railway station, by the highway side and took a train to Central Railway Station in Manhattan. This beautiful underground multilevel station is large, with many restaurants and connected to the multilevel underground tube rail system. A two dollar ticket will give access to the tube rail system and you can travel anywhere in any train, as long as you stay within the system. All tube stations, exit by steps and escalators, to the street above. Manhattan is all a grid of well-marked streets, with rectangular blocks of skyscrapers. The street level is all shops and restaurants, higher levels small offices and residential flats. The downtown or the heart of business area, is all Skyscrapers of large companies and Banks. We took a boat ride to the Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty. From the boat one can see the many bridges connecting the island to both sides and a beautiful view of Manhattan skyline. The American Indian Association was celebrating Deepavali on the Pier, with a large Indian crowd in attendance, on the day of our visit. We picked up our car and drove to Derby in Connecticut, the smallest city in US. Derby is in a wooded valley with a beautiful rocky river flowing through it.Our second son Isaac was living in Derby. Next day we drove to New Port and walked around the cliff walkway, overlooking the sea, with many large and beautiful mansions, of the wealthy tycoons of early 20th century. We drove to Rhode Island and returned to Derby, after visiting a few relatives on the way. Next day we left for Niagara Falls, about 420 miles by beautiful toll roads and free ways. The trip took about 6 ½ hours, through some beautiful countryside diary farms. We took short stops for food  at the well-maintained rest areas on the highway. 

NiagaraFalls (US Side).
 After checking onto the hotel very close to the Niagara Falls, we walked to the visitors’ center and the Goat Island Park, between the American falls and the Horse Shoe falls. This beautifully maintained park is on the American side of the Niagara Falls and was not crowded. The Canadian side has a frontal view of all the falls and American citizens can go over without a visa. The Canadian side also has many attractions like Casinos, revolving restaurants and therefore crowded all the time. We enjoyed walking to the American falls, The Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe falls, through the park in cool conditions, the same evening. After dinner, we had one more round to see the flowing upper river rapids and all the falls under illumination. The scenic beauty and the grandeur of the falls and the park exhilarated us. Each of the falls are about 170 feet high and the Horse shoe falls is 2500 feet wide. About 30 lakh gallons (135 lakh liters) of water tumbles down every second, from Horse Shoe Falls alone. The water mist rising from the falls, obscures the view unless it is blown away by wind. Only two persons are known to have gone down the falls unassisted and lived. One a 7 year old boy by accident, some years back and most recently a young person by intent, who was videotaped and arrested immediately with only a broken rib. We walked all the way again next morning. There is a high observation platform at the top level and a lift to go down to the bottom level of river. We took a boat ride called “Maid of the Mist”, which will take visitors close to all the falls. They provide plastic raincoats, to protect you from the spray of water when close under the falls. We got all wet in spite of the raincoats. We spent time till noon at the uncrowded park, including three sister islands, the trees of which had started turning to beautiful yellow and red, fall season colors. The five hour drive to Pittsburgh in the afternoon,on the toll and freeway, with gentle slopes, curves and many long multi lane tunnels, through mountains, vineyards and diary farms on hill slopes, was beautiful, with more of the trees with multicolored autumn leaves. Illumination at Pittsburgh by night, from an exclusive hill top (some expensive restaurants here are patronized by US presidents) and a ride on an old ropeway tram down and up the steep slope, was exiting. The four-hour drive next day to Philadelphia was also very beautiful. We stayed in Philadelphia, with our nephew for four days. We visited Washington DC, but had very little time to see much. The Holocaust Museum and the Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institute, took much time and we could only have a glimpse of the Capitol Buildings, the White House and the Memorials. We visited a few friends and relatives in Washington DC and Baltimore. We went for a fabulous three hour stage play called “Daniel” with amazing stage settings on three sides of the audience, at a large permanent well appointed Millennium Theatre in Strasburg. This is near an Amish (very conservative Christian clan like the Quakers or Mormons) town called Lancaster, about 100 miles (2 hours by car) from Philadelphia. The Amish refuse to adopt modern techniques of farming and maintain old traditions and are a tourist attraction.

Philadelphia

In Philadelphia, we had time only to walk around the museum, some downtown streets decorated with flags of all nations and drive along the attractive riverfront with boathouses. We flew back (after about 5000 kms by car in 12 days), from JFK airport in New York, on an efficient domestic airline, Jet Blue (some more on domestic airlines later).
Trip to California

Our next trip was to California on the west coast, a long flight of 6 hours to Los Angeles. This involves a time change of three hours from the east coast. We were picked up from the airport by a college mate (Kollamala Mathews) and his American wife. After visiting a common friend’s (Appu son of Ipesar our HM of SCS School), beautiful large home, in an exclusive area on the way, we drove to Santa Barbara, a coastal resort of the rich and famous. This place has year-round mild Mediterranean climate and beaches on the west and high (7000 ft) mountains on the east side. The 3-hour drive along the seacoast,with high mountains all along the eastern side was beautiful. We had an interesting conducted tour of the town and the harbor,in an amphibian vehicle. We also took a sun set sea cruise and saw many sea lions and dolphins at sea. We visited two high land vineries and a brewery (all of Firestone Company) on a Wine and Beer tasting trip. We had a brief visit to a Casino at one of the Indian Reservation on our way to a Danish settlement. The Casino had hundreds of slot and gambling machines and tables for high stake card games. Many old and some handicapped persons were engaged in playing the machines and much food and drinks served. I was stopped by security, after a few photographs were taken inside (Photograph is prohibited in all Casinos). We had good Danish Buffet Lunch at Solvang, a small typical Danish town, which is famous for its Diary, Stud and Race Horse Farms. On our way back, we picked baskets of fresh oranges from a farm, where you have to leave the money on a bench under the trees (honor system as there is no one to check),which the farmer will pick up next day. I understand that in most apple orchards, you can pick and eat as many fruits as you can and only pay for anything you take out. Next day, we drove through another route back to Loss Angeles. We had a brief conducted open bus tour of Hollywood. Stephen Spielberg has a beautiful hillside mansion overlooking Hollywood. We had a quick drive trough beautiful Beverly Hills, where many famous movie actors stay, before we were dropped at the airport. 

Phoenixin Arizona and visit to Grand Canyon –South Rim.
 Phoenix in Arizona is a very large desert city, 5th largest in US. We took a single day conducted road tour to the Grand Canyon, about 240 miles from Phoenix.The drive starts from low level desert, with many desert plants like large and small cactus, slowly climbs uphill, with more grass and trees into the Cowboy country with cattle ranches. Horse cart tracks of 19th century are still visible, as things do not change fast here. Wild horses and a variety of wild animals live here. Our trip was through a famous Red Stone resort called Sedona; where a single bedroom house will cost a million dollars or the better homes with a view, range around 3 to 5 million dollars or more. The place is surrounded by red colored rock formation of different sizes and shapes. “Pink Jeeps” tours will take you on a mountain trip. Only a few authorized colors can be used in the town. After brief stop for breakfast in a scenic coffee shop, we were taken on a steep, beautiful mountain road on our further journey to Grand Canyon. This area is thickly wooded with mostly pine trees and climb up to about 5000 feet. There was a serious head on collision of two cars on the mountain road ahead of us, shortly after we left Sedona. One Fire engine and an Ambulance arrived and moved the injured in about 15 minutes and we were allowed to proceed in single lane. We reached a beautiful city called Flag Staff, about 70 miles away from Grand Canyon. This was a military outpost, which could only be reached in 7 days from Phoenix by horse carriage on a dirt track,till early 19th centaury. Then the Trans American Rail Road connected it. Flag Staff has Amtrak Rail service from East and West coast and 1/3rd population consists of students from its well-known university. The multilane freeway from Flag Staff, climbs slowly another 1000 feet and we reached south rim of Grand Canyon around noon. The view is breath taking, as Grandcanyon  is about 7 miles in depth and 28 miles across and of different hues of colors. There is an observation path along the top rim and also a road to take you to different viewing positions, from South to North on the top rim. There is trekking path from South rim to go down, across the bottom and up the north Rim. This steep unpaved footpath, is only about 3 to 4 feet wide and has no safety railings on the deep side. The visitors are warned to carry enough water and not to attempt to go down and climb back the same day, as you could die of exhaustion. On an averagethere are about 6 causalities from 6 million annual visitors, each year. Since we had one hour at South Rim, we descended on the footpath for 20 minutes and climbed back. We met a group of trekkers on the footpath, who started from the North rim, five days earlier. Another younger group we met at 12/30 pm, started from bottom that morning at 6 am. We moved to 3 other viewing locations, where the view is different. The views, each one different, are so wonderful, that we regretted for not opting for an overnight trip. We retuned back,after a brief visit through the Navajo Indian Reservation and the northern desert, back to Flagstaff. After a short dinner break, it took us only 2 hours` smooth ride on Freeway, to reach Phoenix, during which ride we enjoyed a Cowboy movie. However it took One hour to drop our group, at four different Hotels, in the large city of Phoenix. We were the last to be dropped and therefore enjoyed seeing Phoenix by night-lights.  We visited the Indian Heritage Museum next day and the Desert Botanical Garden the third day. Both had very many collections and exhibits of interest and provided much information and knowledge on the culture of the Native Indians,  the plant and animal life of the desert area park..
 FloridaEverglades.

 A short visit to the everglades of Southern Florida was very informative. This is a unique ecosystem of shallow fresh water slowly flowing through thousands of square miles of temperate/ subtropical grasslands and forests. A wide variety of animals, birds, fish and a vide variety of aquatic life forms coexist and are protected. Alligators and large variety of water birds are the main attraction. There are  well organized information centers and rest facilities at important locations, network of roads leading to camping sites, observation platforms and walkways through this national heritage park. It can keep visitors engaged for a day or more.

 Manchester in UK.

We spent a few days at Manchester, with my cousin`s family, on our way back. We visited Liverpool and also spent a day driving through beautiful countryside in Wales and enjoyed a typical three-course Welsh lunch. England and Wales are beautiful, with green Rolling Meadows.  Diary and sheep farms are all over the countryside. It was quite cold and the trees were all in beautiful autumn colors. In contrast, Manchester and Liverpool have many large chemicals and other industrial units. At Port Sunlight (the Lever Brothers original factory township), we visited the fabulous art collection of the founder’s wife, at the Lady Lever Museum. We took a train cum bus trip to London.

Trip to London.

We went by train from Manchester to visit London. Being a Sunday, when repairs are carried out, the last part of the train journey, was by road in a luxury coach, arranged by the private rail company. The return journey next day, took only 3hours. Everything in UK is even more expensive than US. The round trip fare was 50 pounds per person. The train has ultra modern A/C chair coaches, with access to a bar and food facility, on board. At London a 4./50 pound pass, will enable one to travel in tube or surface rail coach or city busses, any number of times to any destinations, for that day. Conducted bus tours by different private companies are also  available, for about 20 pounds per person, valid for 24 hours. These buses take you to, all the important places in London, with English or Multilingual commentary. One could get off and rejoin, at any of the designated bus stops. A complimentary boat ride, in river Thames, for an hour is included. This is the best method of seeing London. London is beautiful, with grand old buildings, churches, palaces, parks, monuments and streets,with much history. We witnessed the changing of guards at the Buckingham palace, which is one of the big tourist attractions. The social security system in UK provides for a small pension for all, above the age of 60, at 40 pounds per week and 200 pounds for winter clothing, each year. Medical treatment is free. This is not much, but of some help to the senior citizens..
 

Automobiles and Roads.

I was impressed much by the number and variety of cars and vehicles on the road and the discipline and the courtesy of the drivers to other drivers, pedestrians and other road users. Mercedes, BMWs and Lexus are dime a dozen, with more than a dozen models each. Except the cheaper cars, all recent models cars are with automatic transmission. It is reported that 90 % of all cars, vans and SUVs purchased now are with automatic drives. Upscale models of vans and cars have CVD players with built-in TV screens, for the back seats. This keeps the children engaged on long drives. Most middle class homes, shopping malls, public halls, schools and churches are all centrally air-conditioned, including the toilets. 

Some more information on automobiles will be of interest. A recent survey revealed that there are more registered vehicles than licensed drivers in the US. The age for eligibility for a driver’s license is 15 and most households have more than two automobiles. High schools and universities have a serious new problem of providing adequate parking places on campus for cars. In down town areas 15 to 20 story, exclusive parking buildings are provided. Most new vehicles including pick up vans are air-conditioned. A recent survey has reported that 90 % automotive vehicle buyers now opt for automatic transmission. The top of the line cars has front and side air bags, and satellite linked navigation system on a computer screen on the dashboard. This gives detailed visual and audio directions to any destination, in any city or town, including the street names and house numbers. This is available on new vehicles, as an optional extra; at a cost of about $2000/-. Most new models have, as a standard fitting, a smaller computer LCD on the dashboard. This gives you quantity of fuel in the tank, what is the current mileage you are getting, how much distance the fuel will last, outside and inside temperatures, direction of your travel and also set the A/C temperature to a desired level (you have the choice of Miles/Kms, Gallons/Liters, Centigrade / F).  All this at the touch of two or three buttons. Driver operated power rear doors (and boot or hatch door) are optional, on new vehicles at about $2000/-. Public transport like buses and call taxis are available, but very seldom used. Rent a car services is more popular and at Miami airport 41 separate car rental companies operate. In any airport you can get into the buses of any Car Rental Company, to their terminal, from where you could drive away in a car of your choice, with minimum of formalities. The car can be dropped off in any other city in the terminals of the same company.
 
 One major difference in the registration of the cars is that the registration is given to the individual to display on his car and not assigned to any specific car. The number plate is supplied by the Registering authority and replaced every four to five years. In most states the registration number plate is to be displayed only at the back. When a car is sold the number plate is to be removed and used in a new or second hand car you buy and inform the registering authority for their records. For a payment you can have any name not already registered (my friend has registered “Kerala” ) instead of a number on the registration plate. There is no other formality other than a sale deed and receipt for sale or purchase of a car. The number plate can be used also for your new car.  The road tax is very low (in local standards) at $60 to 80 per car in Florida State. Road tax is due on the date of the owners` birthday each year and not based on the financial year. This avoids rush at one time in a year. The tax token is a small yellow sticker indicating the next due date and is to be fixed on corner of the number plate. To prevent theft of this sticker, it is slashed with a sharp knife so that one cannot remove it as a single piece and it is difficult to fix it on another vehicle. All police petrol cars have lap top computers and are linked to a central computer in each state. When police petrol approaches a suspect or a violator, they already have the name and address of the registered owner of the Number plate and can catch a car thief by simply asking him to identify himself. More than one police petrol car will appear in a few minutes at any accident site. They also hide at intersections and high ways to nab traffic violations like signal jumping and speeding. Certain interstate highways have a minimum speed limit of 45 mph (72 Km/Hr) and some can be used only with minimum of two passengers. All are expected to carry their photo identity cards or the driving license with them everywhere. A visitor can also get an ID card with the passport and one other Government issued photo indenty, from any country. Jessie could get her ID card but I could not get one, as I did not have the second government issued identity. This is also required for obtaining a learners license, before issue of driving license. There is a written test and actual driving test to pass before you get your driving license. Minor traffic offenses are awarded points and the license will be automatically suspended on accumulation of certain points within 6 moths or one year. Records of all offences are immediately recorded on the central computer from the lap top of petrol cars. For certain traffic offenses like drunken driving or on reaching specified penal points, the punishment includes social service for certain hours, in addition to fine. You have to wear a uniform and clean roads etc in public places, for a specific number of days. In a road accident if a roadside tree is damaged, the additional fine could be $300/- to 500/- as cost of replacement. The roads are beautifully maintained, with clear sign boards and signals, the main interchange involving three or more Highways are so wonderfully designed with a maze of multi level over bridges, to change from one to the other, in any direction without a stop. Florida roads are particularly good, as there is no snowfall in winter, and the surface is made to last many years.
 Many sections of Interstate Expressway and other Highways have toll. There is no delay at the tollgates, as there are many booths (some have 12 lanes with booths) and most of them are automatic. Either you put the correct coins into a large receiver or you have a prepaid electronic device on your car, which will activate and open the gate. The electronic device in your car is linked to a central computer, in each state and will warn you with audio signal, when you have a low balance. You can send a cheque for another $50 or 100 and it will be added by wireless link. In some states you can make payments on line, using your credit cards. Some toll roads have an entry ticket, which you surrender at the exit point and pay, according to the distance traveled. Most parking meters are also automatic and self operated. Very few petrol pumps have operators. You have to fill the fuel yourself and use credit card in the slot provided, at each computerized pump, without having to go inside. Petrol and Diesel cost more or less the same. Price of fuel keeps changing from day to day and bunk to bunk and is displayed outside. At all the petrol stations have fast food, soft drinks and other daily use products.  Near all exits for a town or city, from Interstate Express Highway, there are many fuel stations, fast food and regular restaurants, shopping malls, Motels and few cheaper hotels. Interstate Highways have rest stations, with adequate parking, clean toilets and some food and soft drinks at reasonable intervals. The whole transport system is a showpiece and work very efficiently, with least paper work and formalities.
 
 There is the other extreme I read in a news item there, about Mayer of Ecatepec city in Mexico, who cancelled all parking, speed and signal violation punishments in his city, to stop rampant corruption among the Traffic police. He said in any case the police are taking money and letting the violators go, without state getting any money. The citizens of this city are reported to be very happy to be out of the clutches of the police and the police complaining that there will be no order on the roads. This is an interesting case that has some relevance to our country and I have retained a copy of the newspaper cutting.

U.S.Ecconomy and life styles.

Most middle class homes, shopping malls, public halls, schools and churches are all centrally air-conditioned, including the toilets.  The discipline and courtesy to others can be seen everywhere you go. People stand in single line to enter any place, without compulsion and give way to others on doorways; lifts or any public place and no one will rush or push you in any situation. An occasional jumping of the red light is the main traffic offence and most get caught by the police petrol. There are hidden cameras in all road junctions and many parts of the roads.

 There are accidents, most of the time involving multiple vehicles, as thousands of them are moving at high speeds on main roads, including huge trailer trucks and powerful motor bikes. Motor bikes are powerful, with rear tires thicker than most cars. The expensive 10 hp Harley Davidson and many powerful Japanese models are very popular, mostly owned by well to do middle aged persons, as only they can afford it. 

The economy seems to be driven by Automobiles and consumer goods, all of which are available on credit. Houses, Cars and any consumer durables are available on low interest, hire purchase or extended credit. Almost all other products and services (small and big) are bought on credit cards. Quick and easy credit is available, to anyone with a regular income and an Identity Card (ID). The invisible products, which support the economy, are the Military Hardware, Industrial products and Software. A significant percentage of small goods like toys, gift items, light engineering goods, tools, garments etc. are made in China. Most agricultural products like fruits and fresh vegetables,(more so in  Florida) in Supermarket shelves, are from South America or the Caribbean Islands. Farmers seem to prefer more profitable high value Vineyards, Diary farming, Floriculture, Orange and other fruit orchards. Diary farmers grow maize for their own use. Agriculture is subsidized to maintain production of essential produce at reasonable costs. Food is comparatively cheap (not at Indian standards, as a coffee is about 1 ½ $ (Rs.70/-) and a coke about 1 $(Rs.50/-). A house maid who comes to clean the house, once every week, is paid 70 $ each day, for 3 to 4 hours` job (or $100/-Rs.5000/- for a full day).They come for work in their own cars. At Fast Food outlets like  Kentucky Fried Chicken, MacDonald, Burger King or similar places, one can get a meal (fast food items like a large Hamburger or Hot Dog with French fries and a drink) for about 15 $. Newspapers running into 4 to 5 dozen pages (weighing about a Kg) are available at very low subscriptions or on vending machines at low cost. The papers make money from large consumer product advertisements. The poor persons (mostly old), pick up bundles of free papers, sell it to persons at the traffic signals and collect 50 cents or whatever they can get from them. I assume that even they should be earning about 50/-$ a day, enough to buy them some food and intoxicants. There are homes for the homeless and poor but, most do not want to be restricted and prefer to stay out. There are gainful employment opportunities, for all who are willing and capable to do manual work.
 Some littering of plastic bottles and packets can be noticed occasionally, but the all-round discipline and courtesy are remarkable departure from Indian situation, worth taking note of.

Malayalees in Florida.

There is a  large population of Malayalees in Florid I attended Onam celebrations of the Kairali Arts Club of South Florida, held at a Government High School.  The traditional Onam dinner contents were good, but was served in disposable plates and eaten with forks (the only person eating with hands seemed to be myself), in a well-appointed school canteen (there was no fellow-sip). The large air-conditioned auditorium (all the school buildings are air conditioned), had about 800 Malayalees. Groups of children, between the ages of six to sixteen, presented a large number of group dances of high quality. There were a few good Malayalam songs and comedy shows,  by the older persons. The programme was well organized, with no delay from one We were very impressed with the quality of the Onam programme.

K.George John. 2003.

Editted on 10/2018.