WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2006
Chennai to Atlanta in 30 Years
5. First days at Evanston/Northwestern University (NU)
The room I am in is on the second floor of the Y, adjacent to the elevator. It is noisy because people were going up and down all night. I am still wondering about my decision and thinking of my dear family, parents and brothers and sisters. I need to send a cable home informing my family of my safe arrival.....
I wake up and go down to the restaurant to have my breakfast and proceed to walk to the Tech Building at NU to meet my advisor, Dr. George Peterson.
It is about a 10 minute walk. It is biting cold. The sweater, cap and gloves from India and the overcoat are in no way a match for this weather. The brand new Ambassador shoes I bought at Bata have already shrunk due to the weather and started biting. It was the top of the line at about Rs. 150 from Bata Shoe Company.
I have no problem locating Dr. Peterson's office. He greeted me with a smile and immediately gave me a brief orientation, taking care of the paperwork. I need to go to the International Student's Office and also go and get my social security card.
International Students' Office
In the International Students' office, I am introduced to a student from Malaysia. His name is Ahmed Naziri B. Mohamed. He was sponsored by the Malay Government for higher studies in Music. He is also staying in the Y.
I go to a Thrift Shop and buy a full length overcoat with a hood for $6. After going to my room in the Y, I get directions to the nearest Western Union. I walk to Western Union, about a block away, send a cable home, and return.
Full Length Overcoat with Hood
Oops... My wallet is missing.
It contained most of my money. I have a few dollars and some change in my pocket. I also notice that what I thought to be side pockets in the overcoat I just bought were really holes to reach my pant-pocket and also to keep my hand inside for warmth! Did I drop my wallet through the hole, thinking I am putting it in the side pocket? I walk back to the Western Union, retracing my path, looking for my Shantiniketan Wallet. I go and search inside the Western Union building, over the writing table, under the counter and walk back tracing my path. The ground is covered with fresh snow. If the wallet is covered by snow, there is no way to see it. Fortunately my passport is safe. I go to the police station nearby and lodge a complaint.
It is already late in the evening. It gets dark by 4 pm.
Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, followed by New Year on Saturday. I have to wait until Monday the 3rd to meet my professor and see what can be done.
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Click here to see the NU Campus Map
See the Technological Institute on Sheridan across from Noyes street and also the Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary to the Southeast of the Tech Institute. I stayed my first quarter in a double occupancy room on the second floor of the Seminary, at $80/month.
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