Mumbai to Denver: Reunions, Diversity and Shared Humanity

This is the first in a series of my insightful journeys across the USA, where each destination unveils a story of connection, reflection, and discovery.

In 2022, my wife, Sharmila, and I embarked on our first trip to America to visit our son. Coincidentally, it was Sharmila's 50th birthday, and her long-held dream of travelling abroad was finally fulfilled. I was delighted to see her wish come true.

Our elder son, Shubhankar, has been living in America for six years, first for education and then for work. We had been closely following his journey and struggles over the past six years. Finally, we had the opportunity to live with him in America.

After his marriage, we had a strong desire to celebrate festivals like Diwali and Dussehra with him and his family. Being their first year of celebration post-wedding, it was essential for us to be with them.

After making all the necessary pre-travel arrangements and preparing for nearly three to four weeks, we completed our journey from Mumbai to Denver, covering over 30-36 hours, including layovers in London. Many people offered advice before our trip, cautioning us about the differences we would encounter.

During our flights with British Airways, the round-earth map display showed our flight's direction. It was fascinating to see the sun's position change as we traveled. We arrived in London in the morning, and by the time we reached Denver, it was evening. Despite the nine-hour journey, we still witnessed the sunset. The experience was surreal as if we were observing the Earth outside its orbit. The vast distance between India and Denver, spanning nearly 30 hours, was awe-inspiring. It was amusing to see the earth rotate, with day and night playing a continuous game as we travelled across continents.

As I reflected on this journey, I realised that despite our differences, people worldwide are connected by our shared humanity. We're all children of Mother Earth, striving to live better lives under the watchful eyes of the sun and moon.

This feeling was reinforced during my trip to America. As we approached Denver, I felt an overwhelming urge to reunite with our son and daughter-in-law.

Frankly, I was overjoyed and didn't even realise when I completed the immigration formalities. Meeting our loved ones in person was a thrilling experience, one that made the long journey worthwhile.

As the plane's announcement declared our impending arrival in Denver, the fatigue of our nine-hour journey dissipated. Gazing out the window, I beheld a vast plateau, and upon landing, numerous planes ready for takeoff came into view. Despite being a major international airport, Denver International Airport was surprisingly uncrowded, and the soft evening sunlight added to the ambiance. As we proceeded to immigration, Shubhankar's call brought back fond memories. When he was young, we would take him to the garden to play, where he would ride a merry-go-round horse and cheerfully greet us with a 'ta-ta' as he passed by. Now, as we reunited in Denver, the same joy and warmth of our hugs were rekindled.

After landing, we took several photos at the airport before departing for home in Shubhankar's car. I couldn't help but notice the similarities between Denver and Johannesburg, South Africa – both situated at high elevations, boasting expansive plateaus, clean roads, and remarkably similar airport surroundings.

As an Indian, I found Denver's unique location fascinating – situated in the middle of the western United States, far from the familiar East or West Coasts. At an elevation of 5,000 feet above sea level, Denver surpasses even Kullu Manali in India. The Rocky Mountain range, stretching from Canada to North and South America, roughly divides the United States in two. Denver lies in the eastern part of this range, making it an attractive destination for travellers.

The Rocky Mountain National Park offers numerous treks, adventure sports, breathtaking sky viewing, and stargazing opportunities, drawing many visitors. Denver also boasts a rich history, having produced the second President of the United States after John F. Kennedy, Thomas Jefferson. The Rocky Mountain Range holds significant importance in American culture, even being mentioned in the national anthem.

During my stay in Denver, I cherished quality time with my family and reaffirmed that, despite cultural differences, people share a common humanity. Whether in America or India, we all inhabit the same earth, strive for similar goals, and find joy in serving our planet unconditionally. The sun, moon, and stars shine brightly, regardless of our geographical location.

(The author is a director of a company. He has travelled extensively across India and overseas.)