It’s been
close to three months that I relocated to Boston to explore a different job opportunity
and this city is already doing great in giving me all sorts of life
experiences. I have spent couple years in Midwest (Michigan), couple on the
west coast (Silicon Valley) and now it’s the time for east coast adventures in
the city of MIT and Harvard.
I moved to
Boston in summer so the transition to the coming horrible winter after a sunny
honeymoon in California will be smooth. So I am good on that front. But I was
then used to Californian style of driving! Now I have become an aggressive
driver to adapt to the Bostonians! Here the state road infrastructure is radial
(Boston being the center) and not a simple grid as in the west. This means more
curvy roads, more randomness and hence more excitement in driving without a
GPS. For the person who loves driving, Boston is the place. Further there are
many potholes, thanks to snow. I sometimes feel that development of the west is
like “learning from mistakes” of the east. Here you honk to express your anger
(and you get angry quite often), you do not wait for pedestrians if they are
about to cross. Lane width is smaller, many places there are no lanes and you
have to use your Indian judgment to drive through. Some places, four lanes
merge into two without any prior indication and hence you need to be alert and
ready for traffic congestion. And most importantly.. too many women drivers
here!!!
Am getting
used to this now. My colleague from Tesla (who was in Boston for last few
years) had told me to be prepared for at least one dent in the beginning couple
months in Boston! .. well he was right! J
Now that I am
living here (and not a tourist as I was a couple years back), I get to see many
aspects of Bostonian lifestyle. People are more welcoming here. They are social
and more family oriented that the west coast counterparts. They are more
attached to the American history. I see people from various backgrounds like
engineering, medical, advocacy, economics, social service etc etc (and not only
Indian software engineers). I like this variety. I can see many more people who
are staying in this area for multiple generations so they have their own
quirks. (Unlike in California, where you rarely see any core Californian). To
give an appealing example is how a core Puneri will behave in Pune! (dukanat
sarvat durlakshya karnyasarkhi goshta mhanje girahik) ;)
I live in a
big 7 bedroom house with seven random people. We share the kitchen. New people
come and go and bring a different lifestyle with them. Currently there is on
guy from Saudi Arabia, one from Iran, US, India, Czech Republic etc. These are
engineers, economists, founders of startups, serial entrepreneurs, media
journalists, academicians. I feel really fortunate to experience the
interaction with them. There is so much to learn beyond if, for and while loops
which I code daily. My friend from Iran has travelled a lot. He shares tons of
stories from various nations like in EU, Aus, Middle East etc. The journalist
is up to date with all the current affairs throughout the world. I can discuss
my current Indian economic situation with the economist in the house.
The area is
surrounded with schools like MIT, Harvard, Tufts (Fletcher), North Eastern
universities. Great talent of students in the areas of technology, science,
business, medical etc is around. (well pan punyat rahun shanivar wada ajun
pahila nahi.. ase hi loka astat! ). Boston has too many things to offer. I
participated in a midnight bike (cycle) ride around Boston. This was a 30ish
mile ride from 12am- 7am finishing on an island with the sun rising in front of
us. It was just amazing to ride at night, visit places that you will never go
on a bike, see some bike tricks, give high fives to drunk girls on the road at
the time when bars start to close, see the people who honk in a rhythm to cheer
a crazy group of 50 riding at 3am in midnight. People are enough crazy to do weird
things. There was one guy who rode most of the miles just on his rear wheel.
There was one person who had speakers, music and disco lights on this bike.
Riding besides his was fun!!
Samuel Adams come from Boston. The brewery here offers a free tour and totally free bear tasting.. how about that!! There is something called as a "freedom trail". It is a bricked path from the heart of the city which pretty much goes through all the important historical landmarks that the city has to offer. The more interesting part is that there is a series of couple minute audio files about each location on the web that you can download on your cell phone and do the entire trail by yourself. This is a best way to get closer to the city, get to know what the city has to offer you. I am very impressed by this idea to promote tourism and American history and culture. Walking, biking and using the "T" has brought be closer to the city.
I am not sure
how lively the city will be during the white months. But, there is still some
time for that. Before that, after almost two long years, I will be experiencing
something that no one in California can ever experience!! :)
A weather
change from summer to fall! Looking
forward for fall!
