1. The Case of the Missing Professionals

"Holmes", the grave voice of Dr Watson was heard, as he entered the smoke filled room of the legendary detective, on the Baker Street of London. "Did you hear about the strange case of missing professionals?" the doctor attired in dark coat and a hat, held out the London times of the 12th April, 2005. Amidst the fog, the doctor could see the lean detective, as he flashed a glance at the newspaper, and returned back his stare onto the large window overlooking the Baker Street, while a slender figure less burst of smoke escaped his dry lips.
"Holmes," the doctor urged, "This is important. These professionals are most important. One of them works for HP of Boston, the other for Capital One in Richmond, and the third professional works at ING, Minneapolis. They should be found at once, and this case requires your immediate attention."
The detective spoke without a trace of emotion, "They are at Miami, South Beach, dear friend."
"How can you be so sure of that?" Watson asked taken aback at the detective's awe-inspiring capabilities.
"Elementary, doctor Watson. It is elementary," the detective now turned to the doctor. "It is the spring break, and all the nubile creatures of the States would definitely find themselves at Miami," he smiled. "And pardon me to intimate you at this short notice, but I would have to ask you to join me for a trip immediately."
"And interesting case?" there was excitement in Watson's voice.
"No. A VACATION TRIP TO MIAMI," smiled the deft detective.

The October of 2001 was an eventful month filled with tours all over Karnataka, for the four lads from Bangalore. A casual Shiva, a calculating Suzy (the name of a male), a 'chill-out' Sandy, and a cool Teju stood in front of the Abbi falls and had their picture clicked by a passing uncle. Later, the picture carried the caption 'Someday, it will be Niagara'. (Well, surely, these were one of those days when Comp Sci students regarded the reaching the US at the ultimate sign of success in life). Success or not, all the four of them had indeed reached the New Found Land, and three of them were meeting each other, flying from different cities of the US. And a place to meet, that was!!! Fort Lauderdale, Florida state (remember the Bay Watch ;-) ). 6 hours from Boston (Sandy), 5 hours from Richmond (Shiva), and 6 hours from Minneapolis(me).
Fort Lauderdale, on Florida's coast, glitters like the golden cradle, in contrast to the dark waters of the ocean, at night from air.
A truly spectacular city.

A brief flight from Minneapolis to Atlanta had taken me from a freezing city to a warmer one. The bigger airport had huge lot of stores, but almost none of them were open which could give me a decent grub. Finally, I settled for a huge Vanilla milk shake, with 'no Ice' ( hey, if you say 'without ice', you are asked back 'What does that mean?'. You have to say 'no ice', because that is the it is the Tradition ;-) ). Sandy was supposed to join me in Atlanta, in half hour. A thought of waiting for him passed by me. But it passed away.
Thankfully, and I decided to get one for myself.
Two hours later, as the people started boarding for the Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale flight, some of them already in their short dresses, ready for the Miami spirit, I spotted Sandy moving hurriedly towards the boarding entrance. He was moving with determined steps, a man with a mission.
An Arabic name would have had him interrogated by the Feds. Such was the intensity.
"Sandy" I screamed. He stopped in his tracks, and turned to me with that genuine smile. And was I ever glad in my recent past!!!
Later, he told me that his previous flight had been delayed by more than an hour, and his angst had made him rush towards this flight with such ferociousness.

The flight flied right past the golden cradle, into the dark ocean, and then took a 'U' turn towards the land, and glided towards the almost invisible runway. As we moved past the numerous corridors, gliding doors, and escalators, at the exit was the effervescent Shiva, with a smile that would put the Rani Mukherjee back to honing her skills. The outstretched hands were taken by both of us.
Had we missed each other?
Body language was never better displayed.

A short drive through the vibrant Fort Lauderdale, to a local Mc Donald's, and I had begun noticing the difference between the warmer South, and our cold North. And ofcourse, lots of palm trees :-).
French fries, and Vanilla milk shake, size 'big' (which is little less than a litre) were our dinners as we drove towards our hotel.
We chat till three in the morning, (and finally decided who will sleep on the bed, and who will on the floor ;-) ).

Tomorrow, it was DESTINATION KEYWEST, snorkelling, parasailing, and a trip to the southern most part of the US.

Watch out this space.

With warm regards,
Teju