Where there is a will - 6. First Impressions

                                                     

(Chennai to Atlanta in 30 years)
6.  First Impressions and Experience

I spend the weekend just wandering about, exploring and chatting with the Malay student, Mr. Mohamed. I got onto the elevated train (Chicago "El").  As I did not see any place to buy a ticket, I just entered and got onto the train. I really want to go North towards Campus. It turns out I am going South - confusion due to the trains using the "wrong" track (they use the right track whereas in India they would use the left track) After a couple of stations, I see an official checking for tickets🙄 . So, I get down at the next stop🤫, get back on the next North-bound train and get back to the YMCA.

I find a coffee vending machine in the police station. I get steaming hot coffee for a quarter. Reminded of the “automatic vending machine" during the Centenary Celebrations at Guindy in 1956! These machines are truly automatic. You just drop a quarter through the slot, press the proper combination of buttons to choose your beverage, strong or light, sugar or no sugar, etc and watch a paper cup falling in place and steaming hot, freshly brewed coffee pouring down!

Vintage Coffee Vending Machine

I am also impressed by the fact that there are only 4 coins - 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents and 25 cents. Yet there is no problem getting change to the last cent.

Wonder why in India it is always a problem getting change from vendors and others, in spite of having a coin for 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50? Are we spending too much on minting coins? Does one of the secrets of the US being rich lie in their being frugal where they need to be?

A story comes to my mind. The wealthiest man in the city is being interviewed by the local news reporter. "Sir, could you please share with us the secret of your amassing so much wealth?" "Oh Yes. No problem. While we talk about it, why not go and sit out to talk. Let me turn off the light" "Well Sir! I already got the secret. Thank You"!

As I walk around, I see a travel agency. Hope to make enough money to bring my wife and children for a visit here before I return to India.