I have always wanted to go the United States to see and experience what everyone has been calling as the ‘land of the free’ and the ‘land of milk and honey’. I knew that this longing will come to reality because I am sure that the Lord grants the desires of our hearts in His own perfect time, according to His will and purpose. And He did! 

My wife and I just returned from a 2-week opportunity to see the beauty of the East Coast, reconnect with friends and bond with her wonderful relatives. It’s Resurrection Sunday and in keeping with the real meaning of the feast, this is the best time to write about the memories of a great vacation that definitely gave me and my wife a new zest for life and a rejuvenated hope for the years ahead.

I spent my first few days in Princeton, New Jersey to attend some job related meetings. My wife spent her time with one of her best friends who flew all the way from the West Coast. We had a time for dinner and shopping.

One of the highlights of this vacation was the opportunity for me to see and meet for the first time my wife’s cousins and their families. The time spent with them was really fun and heart-warming. Her aunt was more than accommodating. They arranged and accompanied us to see the fantastic sites of New York and even experience the rare opportunity of watching a musical, “Chicago”, in the popular Broadway strip. They also had us ride and ‘smell’ the famous New York subway and the PATH train. The breakfasts at Ihop and our dinners at select Jersey restaurants and in their beautiful homes were similarly unforgettable. The days spent on Outlet shopping were likewise both enjoyable and addicting. And of course there is “Rory”, their dog who had a hate-love acquaintance with us. 

Our trip to Washington DC was superb. The 5-hour interstate bus ride was worth it. The famous US landmarks and sceneries that I only saw in movies and in television came to life and it was an awesome feeling to finally have your picture taken in them and with them. Because of the unusual extended winter, we were not able to see the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom but the beauty and colors of the US Capital, as well as Virginia and Maryland, were more than enough to capture our awe and amazement. Witnessing and experiencing first hand a full snowy day while we were there made the adventure even more memorable. 

But the highlight of this journey was meeting and being with friends I have not seen for a long time. One at a time, we spent a day with each one of them, as they showed us the place they now call their home.       

                                                       

                                                     
                 

On the last day of the vacation, we also had a chance to play with ‘luck’ at the Atlantic City and my wife had her share of ‘first time’ windfall. It was also an unforgettable experience courtesy of one of my extended family brothers.