This short story is imaginary.
I saw an elderly aunty taking a walk in the morning looking little worried. Not sure if she was lost, the rest is my creativity.
Hi
I'm Geetha, 52 years old and like everyone, I was also excited to go to the USA to visit my son. He is living with his wife and my grandson in Texas. As they couldn't travel, it was decided that I visit them for 2 months as my spouse couldn't join me.
It was like this!
I landed there last Tuesday, had my jet lag settled. It was a Saturday morning and I woke up as usual by 6, came to the living room only to see nobody was awake yet! I waited patiently for about half an hour and yet nobody woke up. I decided to have a bath and go out for walking.
It was 7 now and I silently left their apartment to take a walk after having my coffee. It was a big community with many apartments and many Indians. My son and his family stay on the ground floor and so I thought I can come back easily.
I noted down their door number in my mind and came out of the apartment and closed the door.
Slowly, I walked a couple of blocks away and enjoyed the morning sounds, the quiet, the bird chirping and the light breeze and the warmth of the sun. After about 20 minutes, I decided to return and started my stroll back home. I came along the sidewalk only to find myself in a fix! I didn't know how to go back home!
All the blocks looked identical and the weirdness is that the apartment numbers weren't in order! 612 stood next to 625 and then it was 924! I was completely confused! I used to go out only with my son or my daughter in law and this little adventure landed me in trouble!
I was lost! I didn't know what to do! As it was a Saturday morning, not many people came out and the very few ones who did, went out in their cars. I was so shy to ask someone who was walking on the opposite sidewalk. I was looking for the signs that would help me, but couldn't see any nearby.
Then, after sometime, I decided to calm myself down and sat on the nearby bench. Then I remembered my India mobile was with me. I clicked upon whatsapp and saw my WiFi didn't pick up. I had given my son's credentials as soon as I landed to connect to WiFi.
I again started to walk calling my son's whatsapp thinking I would get connected if I'm near by his apartment. I remembered him telling me that WiFi would connect outside too for a little distance. When the call wasn't successful, I decided to go to the community office and seek their help!
After 10 minutes, he picked up and asked me Amma, where are you? We are waiting for you to have breakfast, come soon. I then told him to come out of his apartment and stand. He then waved his hand and took me inside.
I then told them what happened and he explained the order of the houses are different here and taught me how to get back home, easily.
I was happy to be back home and after lunch, we all walked to the play area to enjoy the afternoon Sun.
The learning was very important! I should never assume anything and to get all the required information in a foreign land before stepping out of the house! I could have also gone out with my son's or daughter in law's mobile phone and I could have remembered the building number and not the apartment number alone!
I saw an elderly aunty taking a walk in the morning looking little worried. Not sure if she was lost, the rest is my creativity.
Hi
I'm Geetha, 52 years old and like everyone, I was also excited to go to the USA to visit my son. He is living with his wife and my grandson in Texas. As they couldn't travel, it was decided that I visit them for 2 months as my spouse couldn't join me.
It was like this!
I landed there last Tuesday, had my jet lag settled. It was a Saturday morning and I woke up as usual by 6, came to the living room only to see nobody was awake yet! I waited patiently for about half an hour and yet nobody woke up. I decided to have a bath and go out for walking.
It was 7 now and I silently left their apartment to take a walk after having my coffee. It was a big community with many apartments and many Indians. My son and his family stay on the ground floor and so I thought I can come back easily.
I noted down their door number in my mind and came out of the apartment and closed the door.
Slowly, I walked a couple of blocks away and enjoyed the morning sounds, the quiet, the bird chirping and the light breeze and the warmth of the sun. After about 20 minutes, I decided to return and started my stroll back home. I came along the sidewalk only to find myself in a fix! I didn't know how to go back home!
All the blocks looked identical and the weirdness is that the apartment numbers weren't in order! 612 stood next to 625 and then it was 924! I was completely confused! I used to go out only with my son or my daughter in law and this little adventure landed me in trouble!
I was lost! I didn't know what to do! As it was a Saturday morning, not many people came out and the very few ones who did, went out in their cars. I was so shy to ask someone who was walking on the opposite sidewalk. I was looking for the signs that would help me, but couldn't see any nearby.
Then, after sometime, I decided to calm myself down and sat on the nearby bench. Then I remembered my India mobile was with me. I clicked upon whatsapp and saw my WiFi didn't pick up. I had given my son's credentials as soon as I landed to connect to WiFi.
I again started to walk calling my son's whatsapp thinking I would get connected if I'm near by his apartment. I remembered him telling me that WiFi would connect outside too for a little distance. When the call wasn't successful, I decided to go to the community office and seek their help!
After 10 minutes, he picked up and asked me Amma, where are you? We are waiting for you to have breakfast, come soon. I then told him to come out of his apartment and stand. He then waved his hand and took me inside.
I then told them what happened and he explained the order of the houses are different here and taught me how to get back home, easily.
I was happy to be back home and after lunch, we all walked to the play area to enjoy the afternoon Sun.
The learning was very important! I should never assume anything and to get all the required information in a foreign land before stepping out of the house! I could have also gone out with my son's or daughter in law's mobile phone and I could have remembered the building number and not the apartment number alone!
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