TRANSCRIPT
Yash: How old were you at the time?
Avva: 23.
Yash: What path did you take from India to America?
Avva: We came from Bangalore in Air India to New York. Then, we went to Detroit after 2-3 days.
Yash: What were your first impressions about the country?
Avva: I felt strange. Those days, we grew up in a different atmosphere, so such as our food habits were different. From the warm weather I came to mid-winter there, first day itself was too cold and a lot of snow.
Yash: That was your first time seeing snow?
Avva: Yes.
Yash: How were the people?
Avva: I didn’t interact much with other people. We went sightseeing and it was a nice experience.
Yash: When you came there weren’t many Indians?
Avva: Not many Indians were there.
Yash: How did that feel?
Avva: Felt lonely.
Yash: Were there Indians in Detroit?
Avva: There were a few Indians there which Thatha already knew.
Yash: Did it take a long time to get settled down?
Avva: Not really-- Thatha already had a house and all so it was easy.
Yash: Did Thatha come on H-1 Visa?
Avva: I cannot remember, let me ask him.
(consults with my grandfather)
Avva: No, exchange visitor visa. I came as a dependent.
Yash: Why did you decide to go back after my mom and aunt were born?
Avva: We felt we had to be in our country-- Thatha wanted to serve people here (India). Otherwise, it was a nice country to stay.
Yash: When you came to the US, did you plan to stay for a long time?
Avva: No, not really. We decided to stay for a few years and come back. We had good memories about the US-- we still do have.
Yash: Were you nervous about coming here?
Avva: A little bit. Do you have a set of questions?
Yash: No, I am just asking questions about your first day as we go along.
Avva: I don’t have that much else, I think that’s all I can say about the first day.
* The contributor of this story has asked that their name be withheld.
