The American Road Trip: Texas to California in a Nissan Maxima

In matter of 15 days my friends I traveled nearly 5000 miles (8000 KM). Considering that the length of India is about 3000 Km, I would say that is a lot of travelling. I am generally a person very averse to long journeys and to say I was very skeptical at the start of this titanic journey from one corner of Texas to California would a major understatement. Now here comes the real "punch " of this journey, nearly all the driving was done by one guy Anil Chunchu.... let’s say about 4000 miles. 

 

I have never seen so many cities in my life; I got to see Austin, San Antonio, San Francisco, San Jose, Las Vegas, Tempe Los Angeles and many more small towns.  I do not think I have seen so many cities in my 22 years of living in India. something I regret now. 

 

Here a few pointers that I took from this journey

 

The state of Texas is massive, they have a different speed limit for night and day (65 & 80) and they are very particular about you keeping within them, beause one does not "mess with Texas". P.S all cop cars need not be painted black& white, they could be driving a red ford mustang  so think twice before you go above the limit in Texas. 

 

The next state you come in to is New Mexico, hmm what do I say about this one... let me just put it this way if you sleep through this you will not miss much. My advice is sleep because you might just go crazy looking at repetitive scenery of miles and miles nothing. 

 

Then you enter the state of Arizona this state this is filled with cactus plants that are huge.... and cop cars hide behind bushes and shrubs just like the show you in the movies. In Arizona we stayed over at friends place ... in the city of Tempe the town where you ASU (Arizona State University) but as I was later informed the university is also referred to as Andhra State University due to the exponential number of students from Andhra . Plus you get some good Indian food in this town.

 Then finally we reached California, we went to LA ... the home of Hollywood .we saw Rodeo drive... the Hollywood sign, the promenade and then in true hyderabadi fashion said that is enough site seeing for this trip.  We did visit the movie theatre called the Grove, It made feel as if I were in some sort of a palace. P.S I saw the telugu movie “king", please don’t watch it. It will scar you for life. Other things of importance nobody follows the speed laws in LA trafiic moves at 80 mph at minimum. You can get mugged anywhere and my friend's roomie got mugged right outside his own house when we were there. 

We moved on to San Jose from here taking the pacific coast high way must say, even for some like me who is not much in to nature.... the sunset ... blah blah ... it was a jaw dropping experience but be warned it is a very very long drive ( 10 hrs) and San Jose made feel as if I were India by the number of Indians we seem to be running in to.

 

San Francisco is an amazing city, it has very European feel to it was the common consensus but considering that I have not been to Europe .My judgement is based on the number of Europeans we saw and numerous roadside cafes. But San Francisco is all about the inclined roads these are at near 60 degree angles you will not realize how steep it is till you get to the top of it. If you ever want to punish someone give him a bicycle and ask him to move around San Francisco. Oh yeah the golden gate bridge is worth a watch. 

 

Now Las Vegas, a city literally in the middle of nowhere. Glitz, glamour and people losing money is what this city is all about. I spent new year’s eve on the streets on Las Vegas, my experience included getting stuck in a wild crowd of drunk people who could decide which way to go forward or backward. Not a very tough choice but for some reason hundreds of people seem to not be able to make up their mind and were very happy just falling on to each other and relieving themselves among hundreds of people. Basically if you are claustrophobic make sure you are not on the streets of Vegas and if you are not very rich make sure you not at a casino table for too long and do not drive at 104 MPH in a 70 mph zone. My advice make sure you know when stop whatever your doing in Vegas.  

Most importantly without  a GPS it very very tough to move around in the US especially if you are not familiar with the routes, It is not like India where you roll down your window ask your friendly panwallah the directions.