MILwaukee 1

27 NOv 2007 Today we are relaxing on the first working day of the week after arrival at Milwaukee. Had a chat with Shafi and Ahsen in the morning. Barushan has gone to work. Yesterday was bright and sunny as well as cool and snowy, but today looks dull. Our flight from Colombo took off about an hour late with an assortment of passengers ranging from housemaids to houselords and sheikhs and halaal food. The flight meal was fish and lamb. Nothing spectacular about landing in Dubai for a 8 hour transit. Collected our boarding passes to Atlanta and Milwaukee. The airport security process included the removal of belts bangles and shoes. Having cleared all that we had to pray luhr asr combined and magrib isha combined while exploring the duty free from time to time. The cars on the raffle the Benz and the BMW were too tempting to ignore but we did not buy the raffle ticket. We had french coffee and McDonalds snacks to while away the time. Our first attempt to cross the Atlantic started at 11.50 pm and the flight took us over Turkey, London, New Foundland and the deep blue sea, New York etc .We were looking out for the Titanic but could not find it! We had halaal food again and a courteous crew which we did not expect. There was enough to eat and drink for the 15 hour endurance test which was our longest night in our lifetime. Since there were empty seats we could stretch ourselves and sleep in a couch form like the foetus in Aashika's womb and float our way through the skies. We landed at Atlanta at Eastern time 5.50 am Friday morning only to find one of our baggage missing and that too with all the stuff for the intended new arrival to this world. After some worrisome moments and complains we were asked to make a complain at Milwaukee the final destination. The Immigration process and customs checking was made easy by Almighty Allah in answer to our prayer and yours and contrary to what many people warned us of, even our spices went through easily. We have got 6 months stay. Another 5 hours of wait at the airport was cold and long this is when the Sri Lankan biscuits and cream crackers came to our rescue as halaal food was not available. We topped ourselves with American coffee with one large serving enough for all 3 of us. Took train to the domestic terminal and checked in. Our baggage was automatically transferred to the local flight. The flight to Milwaukee took 1 hr 40 mts. and many of the 6 footers could not stand straight in the plane as it was so small. Aadil found it extremely uncomfortable with his long legs and tall frame. We were served with peanuts and juice to the dismay of all of us. There was also a noisy young crowd to keep us awake. This was our first day time view of America albeit from the skies. Flying at low altitude gave us a fairly reasonable view of the topography of the land. Milwaukee is by the side of the beautiful lake Michigan and reminded us of our last visit to London and Paris several years ago. Some trees still had the golden leaves of the autumn and the others were naked awaiting the cold snow of the winter already hibernating. Milwaukee airport was quiet for an American one. Made a complain about the loss baggage and took taxi to Brown Deer Apartment which will be our home for the next 3 months. Barushan had gone for jummah and Aashika received us warmly. After an exchange of pleasantries, news, goodies and gifts Barushan joined us for a sumptuous chicken biriyani which was our first solid meal in the normal position after we left on Thursday morning having had sandwiches for breakfast. Our eyes were heavy with sleep and Aadil was shivering in cold and almost crying. The snow outside was a novel experience but we were too tired to enjoy it. The beds were too warm and inviting. We slept till dinner. Saturday was tiring with jetlag our bodies wanted to wake up in the night and sleep at day time. Yet we did some essential shopping with Barushan and Aashika. The missing bag never came. We had a sumptuous lunch courtesy Barushan The dawn of the Sunday saw the missing bag at our doorstep to our relief. After a heavy breakfast made by Barushan and Aashika did some shopping came home for lunch and slept. It is now Monday night.We went out after Isha 6.01PM and just returned. So lets get this across to first. Looking forward to hearing from you. Hilmi, Fazeena n Aadil