Trip of the year

Two decades ago, someone asked me what I missed most about living in the US. My answer then was 'my people,' and twenty years later, that hasn’t changed. While I miss the places, I miss the family and friends even more. Our recent trip was a long-awaited chance to reconnect, and though we still have many catch-ups left for future visits, this journey was truly unforgettable.

We planned this 'grand tour' before AA starts middle school, thinking it was the perfect time for him to take a break and see the world. I’m so glad we did. This trip has been etched into my core memories. We covered eight cities, weaving a path through the lives of those we love: SF/Bay Area >> Vegas >> Chicago >> Niagara >> New York >> Orlando >> Dallas.

The Bay Area will always be my first love—it’s where I landed 22 years ago, where I discovered boba and sushi, and where my favourite uncle lived. My brother planned a perfect itinerary: the Mystery Spot, 17-Mile Drive, and Alcatraz. AA even managed to tire out poor Java the dog! 

Vegas was exactly as I remembered it from 21 years ago—neon lights and themed hotels. We walked miles in the 40°C heat, but seeing David Copperfield and Kha made it all worth it.

Chicago holds a special place because of the family. From soulful meals to zoo trips and board games, we were truly pampered. A huge shoutout to Mr. R, my college friend, for the airport run—next time, dinner is on me! 

Then came Niagara Falls, which topped our list. Waking up to the sound of the falls and celebrating our anniversary in the mist was magical.

NYC was a whirlwind of 25k steps a day and sightseeing all the iconic places - Bollywood have shown us, but the highlight was simply the hospitality of S-S-S-G. Late night mario party game and chats were the best. Special mention to Saha and her hospitality, she took time off on her weekend dealline to shown us the city.

In Orlando, we proved you can never truly tire of theme parks, especially when exploring with fav person R. Potterhead AA had his dream fulfilled, taking the train from platform 3/4at Kings Cross to browsing the Daigon alley to shopping for wands to tasting the butterbeer ice creams and many more of crazy things. A day lived as a life of an astronaut is unforgettable.

Finally, we ended in Dallas—the city that raised me into a financially independent adult. This place always hold a special place in my heart. Being pampered by my aunt was the perfect finale.

Ultimately, it wasn't the landmarks that made the trip—it was the people. Until next time, CIAO!"