One more international trip is under my belt. We enjoyed London. The hustle bustle of the city was palpitating. Good food, great sights, a cosmopolitan environment with people from all over the world, and an energy that was unleashed. I witnessed my first midnight traffic jam! (I was up past my bedtime — I normally go to bed at 10)
For many years I carried a grudge against, and a certain degree of disdain for the British because of the historical subjugation of India for almost 200 years. Over the years, I have let the prejudices pass. It is difficult to blame people today for something that happened a long time ago. My high school friend from India was a victim of a racial beating in London in the late 1970’s where four “skinheads” beat him to within an inch of his life… only because of the color of his skin. I had dinner with this friend in London and he loves the city today.
Every time I travel, I love the experiences that help keep my own life in perspective. Still, the words that always bring a smile to my heart (even if they are typically barked by a stern Immigration officer) are WELCOME HOME.
About Hemant Rustogi