Dhaka to New York

It was my first aeroplane journey. So far, I had travelled solo only once, a one day round trip to Sylhet, culminating in my fateful meeting with three muggers. I was sad to leave my motherland for an extended stretch of time. I was anxious about how my parents will handle leaving without me. I was (and still am) mostly concerned about what kind of job I'll get in USA. All these thoughts registered little on my mind of my impending flight.

As scheduled earlier, I reached ZIA by 6pm and was way early for my flight. Rana uncle had already managed an acquainted official to handle my boarding passes. Though I was told I'd receive two boarding passes (Dhaka to Dubai and Dubai to New York), I only got the imminent one due to some security issues. Dad filled out forms for me and I passed immigration without much hassle. The next hurdle for me was the customs check before boarding. Thankfully, Rana uncle crossed security borders and managed another helpful acquaintance of his to look after my customs process. I was sitting at the terminal waiting for the plane to arrive, marvelling at the gigantic Gulf-Air plane that was boarding at that time. A couple of phone calls from Mom, Dad, Abir, Lablu and Nijhu kept me occupied to pass the time. I duly boarded in the Emirates flight at 8:25pm and bade my family goodbye via phone.

I got an aisle seat on the right hand side of the middle column, near the back of the plane. My co-passengers were mostly Bangladeshi workers in Dubai. I noticed with surprise that most of them were hardly bothered by the instructions to fasten/unfasten their seat belts at proper time. Thankfully though, they showed me the where the remote control of the TV was. Previously I had heard lots of praises about the beautiful Emirates air-hostesses and I should mention that none of those were exaggerating. After everything was set and done, the plane seemed to taxi at a very slow pace. Later I came to realize that it must have taken a long winding route to reach the main runway from the terminal (guessing ZIA is not a spacious airport). Afterwards, I felt a sudden mild thrust which I would like to compare with a nitro boost in a racing car. As previously advised, I plugged my ears with my fingers during the takeoff to prevent the buzzing noise and the plane gracefully left the soil of Dhaka.

After the plane was air-borne, there wasn't much to do. At around 9:30pm, we were offered dinner. I was greatly satiated by the servings. Later, I managed to catch some sleep as I always do in a moving vehicle. At around 12:45am, I woke up and waited for the plane to land.

Much to my dismay, the plane landed 10 minutes late. We had to get down from the plane and board on the shuttle to reach the terminal building. I was mostly tensed if I'd be able to collect my tickets, check-in customs and be able to board on my next flight in so little time. I boarded the shuttle to leave the plane in a hurry. Just before entering the shuttle I had a small taste of the heat of middle-eastern climate. The shuttle was void of any seats. Though I was tensed, I could not stop marvelling the enormous size and vanity of Dubai Airport. The huge multi-storied terminal building waiting in front of me with its mazes.

I got down from the shuttle in a hurry and then rushed to find the appropriate counter. To my relief, I had only two persons in front of me in queue. The total time to collect the boarding pass took less than 7 minutes. I started for my terminal and then to my dismay, had to stand behind around 150 people to get past the security checking. They made me take-off my shoes, belts and glasses - any metal object I was carrying in my body. After getting past the security, I started running to my destination with my shoes unlaced and my unbuckled belt in my coat pocket.

What followed could only be compared to the journey through Crystal Maze - my favorite reality show from my teens. I went through numerous tunnels, descended three stories and then ascended two more to find my terminal gate. The queue contained 20 or so people in front of me but I was relieved thinking that at least now they won't leave us behind. After a while I was let through, got down further through a lift and boarded the flight to New York.

This time, I had the leftmost seat in the middle column, again at the back side of the plane. My co-passenger was a Bengali from Kolkata and there was an Indian girl across the aisle. I couldn't find any place to stash my carry-on and a cute east-asian air hostess helped me (For some reason I always find Asians more attractive, but that's another story). They waited 15 minutes more for all transit passengers to board and then started to take-off.

This flight's take-off was much smoother, even with a shorted run-up. I went to sleep after a while and was awaken after some hours for another full course meal. The food in this flight was better and was abundant in variety. Though I was tempted, I didn't taste any liqour thinking Rosie Fuppi and Fuppa (aunt and uncle) would be able to smell it. After meal, I shifted between sleeping, and watching movies (12 Rounds and partially Watchmen and 7 Pounds) in the flight.

I was awake with the glimpse of sunlight while the plane was over France and then followed my largest spell of dawn so far. I went to the restroom once to brush and take a leak, but as habituated, couldn't do anyting else.

Just an hour before reaching New York, we were served breakfast and then appropriate forms to pass the immigration. A couple of minutes before landing I got the glimpse of the shores of New York and experienced another smooth landing. I rushed to get ready to get down but had to wait a while before the long queue in front of me got down.

May be it was morning, or may be it is true, but JFK didn't impress me as much as Dubai. I came out of the tunnel and starting jogging through to reach the immigration. It helped eventually, along with the fact that an officer spotted a couple of Bangladeshis like me with Diversity Visa papers in hand and took us to a specific counter without any others. I went past the immigration officer in less than 10 minutes in total, got my luggage clearance signed without any hassle, and then spotted a lady who was in my flight from Dhaka to Dubai. I saw her taking her bags off from the luggage rail and received my two bags after a while. I was surprised to find my luggage unaltered and also at the $5 price to rent a trolly. I decided to drag both of my bags on their wheels, followed the directions, got out of the main building and saw Sarah, Fuppi and Fuppa waiting with a warm smile. My journey was over.

Saying Goodbye

So far, this year has brought upon me a spell of anxious waits, linking one event after another. Amidst all the turmoil, I failed to keep any journal lately. Now that all the waiting is over, finally the time has come to sally forward into the glorious uncertainty. The last goodbyes have been said, the parting tears have been shed, now I am on the verge of starting my voyage.

It all started with freaking out why I hadn't received my DV interview letter at the start of the year. Then, waiting for the dreaded visa interview with a quiet tension. After the interview, it seemed like an eternity before I finally got the phone-call affirming my immigration. Everyone was happy. I visited BUET and informed my honors and masters thesis advisers, both bade me farewell happily. Finally, it came to talking to Ellis, my boss.

I was queasy about letting my Managing Director/Team Lead/Programming Mentor know that I'll be leaving the country. Not only was I breaching my 3 year contract, but I was feeling low for breaking his trust and not keeping my own words. After Ellis returned from his Thailand vacation, I mailed him last Sunday asking to talk and since our cutover (production cycle end date) has been shifted, he managed some time to talk to me after lunch. Even before I got into explaining things, he had said he knew about my diversity lottery and happilly let me go with no strings attached. The way Ellis talked to me on that day (probably 10th March) made our friendship even stronger than before.

The couple of months after that went into a frenzy. Every morning I'd get up early and then start for my swimming or driving lesson, then a hurried breakfast at some restaurant and going to office through the late moring traffic jam. The evenings were spent either on meeting old friends or shopping. In no time, I faced May 21st, my last working day in CodeCrafters. I felt mixed with all kind of emotions on that day. Like many time before, I attempted to express myself with a song for this occasion.

After I had quit office, I finally managed to take Mom and Dad to Cox's Bazar for one last vacation in Bangladesh. We got the chance to watch hurricane 'Aila' from the balcony of hotel Sea Crown. It felt very great to finally have travelled with my family.

The last few days were all spent in attending various invitations and farewell parties. Ellis' last words on Thursday (June 4th) left me choking almost to the verge of tears. While departing I received an uncharacteristic and warm hug from my ex-boss and now dear friend. On Friday (5th June), I exchanged goodbyes with a lot of my dear freinds and family members. The hardest of these all were to say bye to Nashad, Nijhu and Emin. In fact Emin and I could not help our tears that evening at all. The long 14 year friendship, of never getting detached from one another, of relying on the other on any need at any time actually came to abeyance that day. Nijhu, like his typical Floydian style, sent a simple text message packaged with all his good wishes- Shine on you crazy diamond.

I forbade Mom to cry in front of me, yet she couldn't help it when I left her with a meager amount from the remnant of my last salary, thinking how I was feeling to go apart from her for the first time in my life. Consequently, I broke down also. I feel so much ashamed thinking how much I had misbehaved with my Dad in the final days in Dhaka, yet he always stood there as the pillar, always smiling and encouraging and never faltering to show a tinge of emotion, for this and all the love and support, I am deeply grateful.

Finally it was 5pm on Sunday (6th June). I was getting ready to board on the microbus we rented for my airport trip. All on a sudden, Abir and Shiplu arrived to see me for one last time. I can never forget that last embrace from my two friends. Tears were glistening in my eyes as I said the last goodbye and left 24. B. K. Das Road, my home.