#Speakeasy2.1- “My Parent’s First USA Visit- Most Memorable Travel Memories of My life!
Again, excited to be a part of #Speakeasy2.1 blog challenge, hosted by Dipika and Ruchi.
I just love the theme “Most memorable travel”. after knowing the theme, I was so clear since the beginning about my blog post for the challenge. I would love to share the beautiful memories of my most memorable travel with this post. Read the post to know more!
It was in year 2015, when we moved from India to USA as a family, due to my husband’s job. And like all others, we also had a dream to explore different beautiful tourist places of this amazing country. After an initial set up, we had done a proper planning and started our exploration journey. Within the 1 year of time, we had explored so many beautiful places all across the USA. From the picturesque beaches of California to skyscraper buildings of Newyork, we had explored it all.
This was an amazing journey of learning about new culture and exploring different places. We had an unforgettable experience with this incredible journey.
But while doing all this, there was something that I had been missing silently.
Many times, I felt a vague sense of unease or dissatisfaction too.
After re-think on these emotions and introspect my feelings, I had realized that “I was missing my parents so much while having this dynamic and enriching experience of my life. While visiting these amazing places, I had built a strong desire to call my parents to USA and let them explore this different world.
As the time passes, I had made a fixed mindset that I will surprise my parents by plan their first “International trip”.
Gradually, we had started planning on the same. In April year 2017, my parents got their “Visitor visa” and then we had planned their first USA visit in May (2017). Everything went well and according to plan, and they arrived here without any discomfort.
The summer of 2017 was the best summer of my life. It was the time, when I was meeting my parents after a long gap of 2 years. We had a blast as a family. Girls were feeling so overwhelmed to meet their Nana-Nani, after a long gap. For me, it was like the “Dream come true” feeling.
After a few days of rest, we had started our planning to explore this beautiful country once again as a family. And planned various trips for my parents to have loads of fun and spend great family time.
In this post, I am sharing glimpse of those amazing travel memories, hoping you liked it.
Most memorable travel memories of my life
New York Visit
New York is my one of the most favorite travel destinations. And I can visit this city over and over again. The city has an amazing energy and positive vibe. This city has been named as “Most exciting city in the world”. And you can spend weeks to explore this alone.
There is a long list of beautiful tourist spots to visit and explore. As New York was only 2 hours’ drive from Connecticut (at that time, we were in Connecticut), we had first planned the New York trip by car. We had started early in the morning and started city tour at 9 AM. We had visited most of the amazing places of city (Brooklyn bridge, Central park, State empire building, statue of liberty, Times square and the Metropolitain Museaum of art), clicked lots of picture and had “Once in a life time experience”.
After New York visit, we had planned a short trip to New Jersey. New York and New Jersey are neighboring states of Connecticut. It is very convenient to plan short trips to these both amazing states.
New Jersey trip
As I had mentioned in previous #speakeasy post, New Jersey has an amazing Indian crowd and while moving around here, you will get a feel that “You are in India”. We went to “Mini India” sector and my father was so surprised to see this “Typical Indian Market”. For a moment, he also felt the same emotion, and said “Aisa Lag raha hai, hum India mai hi hai”. It was again a great trip. We had done lots of shopping and enjoyed typical Indian food. All and all a great day that we had spent together in the beautiful New Jersey.
After these two short trips, we had taken a gap of few days and enjoyed local Connecticut places, Malls and temples.
Next, destination was the “Washigton-Philladelphia Trip”. From Connecticut, this is one of the famous bus 2-day trip that most people planned for family vacation. We had also done that. For us, it was a second time experience and I was feeling so excited to visit these beautiful states, this time with my parents.
Washington and Philadelphia visit
This one was an easy-going trip of two days. Bus tours usually have everything pre-planned and you did not need to take extra stress of finding a hotel or looking for places to visit. These both states had amazing infrastructures and beautiful museums. With these places, you get a chance to learn so much about ancient American culture. In fact, in between there is a spot, where you visit “American Villages”. My parents just loved this trip and feeling so satisfied to explore more about the “History and ancient culture of America”.
The days were passing with flying speed. And as per pre-planning, there were only 15 days remain of their stay. In between, my husband has some change in his project, and we have to move from Connecticut to Dublin. We moved from Connecticut to Dublin.
From Dublin, we had planned “Niagara Fall” visit. Niagara fall is an over-night journey from Dublin. And I don’t want to waste this opportunity to visit this amazing place with my parents.
Niagara Fall trip
I am sure you all had already heard about the incredible natural beauty of “Niagara Fall”. Niagara fall located on boundary of USA and Canada. And it was a great experience to see that border, where one side marks USA and other shows the beginning of Canada country. During this trip, we had visited all tourist spots of Niagara fall and had a magical experience with “Most beautiful place” in the world.
After coming from Niagara, only 5 days had left for going back to India for my parents. And I was feeling so over emotional. It was an incredible 1 and ½ month of my life, when I traveled with my family with good mood and great enthusiasm. During this time, we had made some amazing life-time, beautiful memories that I will cherish throughout my life.
Thanks Ruchi and Dipika for organizing this challenge. while writing for this theme, I had re-lived those amazing moments once again.
“My parents’ first USA visit” was my most memorable travel experience of my life? Which one is Yours? Please share with me.
This blog post is a part of #Speakeasy Blogging Challenge by Dipika and Ruchi.’
47 Comments
Mayuri Nidigallu
I am so happy you shared this beautiful slice of life with us, Surbhi. I can just imagine your joy at having your parents with you as you showed them around a new country. This post is a winner and it wouldn’t surprise me to see you win. Loved the pics too, which surely added to the beautiful narrative.
admin
Thanks a lot dear, I am so so glad you liked the post. yes it was most amazing experience of my life. I would love to re-create that magic again.
Cindy Dsilva
Great. I’m sure you were emotional while writing this post. Your parents and children are the most closest to you. Mostly. Mine too. Sibling included. Lovely trip filled with memories.
admin
Yes I got so emotional while writing this. thanks a lot dear for reading the post and sharing your thoughts.
Archana
So relatable post Surbhi meeting with parents on foreign land is the best feeling one could ever have, indeed it is like a dream come true. Beautiful pics of serene beauty.
memoryflies
Arranging such trip for a parents is great achievement as a daughter. I can feel your emotion. Giving surprise to our parents and witness their happiness is itself a lovely feeling.
admin
Thanks Archana and yes I know we immigrants all feel the same, when it comes to our family and country.
chinmayeecreations
This is a heart touching post from a proud , loving daughter with her parents spending quality time in a distant land . Your happiness reflects in your writing. Totally enjoyed reading it and lovely pictures.
Debidutta Mohanty
I could feel that sense of pride and satisfaction in your writing. Lovely post, Surbhi. It’s a joyous moment when you as a kid gift a memorable and beautiful time to your parents. A heart touching post dear.
admin
Thanks Debi..I am so glad you liked the post.
admin
Thanks a lot dear, I am so so glad you liked it.
Swarnali Nath
This is so beautiful and this post is a heart touching one Surbhi. My heart was filed with immense pleasure to see your parents travelling this way. They raise us and while this period so much they sacrifice. But when we children payback them this becomes incredible moment. Additionally, with grandchildren!! So lovely.
Metamorphosis
Such a beautiful and heartfelt post. I can completely relate to this. After marriage getting quality time with your own parent is always challenging. I can feel the happiness in you writing and this makes me smile throughout reading it.
admin
Thanks dear Swarnali, I am so glad you liked the post. indeed it was one of the best experience of my life.
Geethica
Hey Surbhi, such a lovely post. Any trip without your loving parents is incomplete and I can feel the enthusiasm in your words when you describe travelling with your parents.
Aesha Shah
Such beautiful and special travel memories. Your narrative and pictures is a proof of how excited you must have been to show your parents around USA. I am sure this is your most special travel memory. Thanks for sharing and making us a part of your beautiful memories.
admin
Yes Aesha, this was one of the most travel experience of my life. I am glad you enjoyed reading it,
admin
Thanks Geethica, I am so glad you liked my post.
myworldwitheira
Such a beautiful travel journey you have shared. Taking parents for international journeys and showing the other side of the world is such a great way to make them happy and have the content for our own self. We took our parents-in-law to Hongkong and Macau when we resided there and they still remember the beautiful experience.
admin
yes seema agree with you completely. and this feeling is just so amazing.
mahekg
Your emotions come across so vividly in this post Surbhi. I am sure this would be one of the most memorable trip for you and your parents too. So many wonderful memories shared.
aditi
The travel experience becomes more enjoyable when we are with our parents. Revisiting the olden days by showing parents a new country takes these emotions to all new height. Loved the pics.
admin
Thanks Manisha. i am so glad you liked my write-up.
My Words My Wisdom
I feel you Surbhi. Three years ago my in laws also visited my SIL in US. We all were so thrilled. They enjoyed every day and the happiness of seeing the child after so long is actually a bliss.
admin
Yes Ujjwal that feeling is just so magical. thanks a lot for reading the post. and sharing your thoughts.
Nitisha Mathur
Thank you for taking us on such a lovely trip Surbhi. Loved the pictures!
Sivaranjini Anandan
Thanks for that virtual trip to the USA. Your parents must have been super happy to visit you as parents always love us more than anything else in life.
Amritha Srinath
Omg Surbhi, I can completely understand that how joyous it must have been to have your parents after 2 years at your place. As a daughter, I can also feel your emotions when you took them for a country wide trip. And even for them, that must have been such a proud moment – seeing their daughter settled in, taking them for trips.
Isn’t it true that when we become parents, we actually realize the worth and efforts of our parents? It’s been practically almost a year that I have not seen my parents due to busy schedules and lockdown. Now with being pregnant I miss them the most and not a single video call can replace the feeling of having them over at home.
As usual, your post is so heart-warming and took me to my memories with my parents.
admin
Thanks a lot dear Amrita..I am so glad you liked the post. indeed it is very hard to stay away from parents for long time. this is something that I missed a lot here in USA.
Hema
Meeting parents on a foreign land would have surely made you emotional. Thanks for sharing this beautiful part of your life. You are right, when we become parents ourselves we start to value them more. This is a heart warming post.. love it
Ishieta Chopra
How absolutely lovely and blessed to have taken a few weeks to travel with your family. I can only imagine the joy these memories bring to you
Neha Sharma
Wow Surbhi, such a beautiful travel memory you have shared, I could feel your emotions while reading this post. Meeting your parents after 2 years that too in a different country I can imagine your happiness. Lovely pics, can see that your parents too have enjoyed their visit.
shravmusings
Giving the first abroad travel experience to our parents is the best memory a kid can have. You really evoked upon my memories of taking my parents on the Singapore trip
anurbannomadic
They look so happy in the pictures. Going abroad on a trip with parents is one of the best ways to spend time with them. We have had the chance to travel abroad with parents twice and make some of the best travel memories
rakhiparsai11984
Getting your parents to visit and have a memorable trip of The US in itself seems like a huge achievement to me. There is nothing more amazing than getting your parents to add on to their beautiful memories. I really loved reading how u had fun and fun filled travel with your parents.
I have been looking forward to have my father come to our town so even we can take him places and ensure he feels happy and rejuvenated
bytetrails
Your post made me nostalgic. We stayed in New Jersey for good six years and took my parents too to places when they visited us.
payel@Turtlegotwings
There’s nothing like seeing your parents’ dreams coming true.. loved the post
mummatalks
This is so awesome and nothing like fulfilling our parents dream travel…. the pictures speak about the fun time they had in USA.
Disha
Your parents would have been thrilled to spend time with you and your kids. Looks like you all had a great time visiting different places in US. All the pics describe a happy loving family. 🙂
Alpana Deo
Completely understand your feelings. Having our parents come and see the place where we have created a new family is one of the most happiest moments for kids. I am sure they had the same feelings.
Ruchie
I can feel the emotions of your post and when they visit, comes along so much happiness and positivity!! Glad to have you in part of this challenge
Preetjyot Kaur
I could feel a rush of emotions while reading this post. For the longest time I have stayed in a different city than my Parent’s . It’s tough not to see your parents regularly. For me too, the times my parents and siblings flew down to meet us has been the most memorable.
Kavita Singh
This brought a post smile on my face. You penned it so beautifully and the smile on their faces says it all. Absolutely loved reading this 🙂
Bhawna
When kids start giving surprises to their parents then immeasurable emotions developed. This is really appreciable that you gave a surprise trip to USA to your parents. Stay blessed.
Tina Basu
how nice to see this. Parents must have enjoyed quite a lot. You have written this so well and they are looking so happy with the family.
Dr Bushra Allaboutthewoman
Indeed every moment that we spent with our parents are always special and memorable. This sounds like nostalgic travel trip
DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter
Thank you so much for making me part of such a wonderful memory. Parents are so special and seeing a country like USA through their eyes must have been a priceless experience. Loved how you have woven in your emotions while describing the places. Surbhi, just like your other posts, this one also won my heart! Loads of love and hugs to you and pranaam to your parents.