As the A380-800 touched down on US soil on the 1st of November, I was on my third visit to the US. I had an international trip 6 years ago, and I was hitting the ceiling on what to carry, how to manage my luggage, and the next 17 days in two California cities. It all turned out to be an enjoyable experience thanks to the family.
To travel with my brother-in-law, Sister, and Nephew for the first time. Thanks to the marriage, they had a short visit to India. My first and second visits were all about fascinations. But this time around, it was chilling out with coffee, enjoying Mexican food, and listening to songs, apart from the professional commitments. I had some good coffee experiences with my books and devices as I immersed myself in caffeine and thoughts in a few places. These new coffee places also helped me better understand the variations in coffee and the food that goes with it. I met an elderly lady who seemed to have mistaken me for someone she knew until I mentioned my name and address. I draw a lot of energy by being in coffee shops, and this time, too, it was no different.
Apart from the coffee shop, the one other thing I enjoyed was Mexican food. I was in a mall with my sister, and we decided to take some chiptoles home. That was my first meal of the trip, and since then, I have been more inclined toward it. I must have tried it a good number of times, and my love for Mexican food has only grown since I came back. It was nice to meet up with my sisters and my brother-in-law’s friends in a Vineyard. It was a great experience as well. More than the wine, the company, the food, and the telling of old anecdotes, the whole experience evokes a nice sense of feel-good. My observation while on the road in my brother-in-law’s Rivian vehicle (Motto: ) was that all the billboards featured AI companies in the Bay Area. It was evident at my last visit that a shift toward AI and automation was underway. I never imagined I would have the chance to record a video of a driverless car.
I had the opportunity to get inside one of the Wymo. I was amazed at how it oriented a curve and maintained a distance from the Bicycle person. The precision with which it handled the traffic and manoeuvred the tracks was a sight to behold. We had only seen these in movies, and experiencing them in reality was different.
I had the chance to visit most of the flagship shops in those 5 days, and it was truly a great experience. I have a penchant for stationery, so when I was at Staples, I was in my element. Many things fascinated me, and, finally, I must say I ended up spending most of my time at “Staples”. The kinds of utility things I noticed were new to me, and I decided to push tap-and-pay. I maintained a list of restaurants and tried to make sure I sampled new ones as we continued our trip from San Ramon to Los Angeles.
Life’s most significant festivals are the journeys we take and the places we discover, and this time I spent with the extended family, a part of Los Angeles as well. A trip I will remember for the driverless car, time with family, and lots and lots of coffee. I had the opportunity to see a live music show in the ” House of Blues” by past action heroes, and this song “Don’t Stop Believin” by the Artist Journey stuck with me. Today, on the 1st Day of the year 2026, I heard this song when I was in my favourite cafe.
Just a small town girl
Livin’ in a lonely world
She took the midnight train going anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train going anywhere
A singer in a smoky room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile, they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on
Strangers waitin’
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searchin’ in the night
Listening to this song made me think about my “journey” to the US last year.
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