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When I got married, I hadn't seen any place other than Hyderabad where I grew up and completed my studies. Naturally I got excited about being able to see New Delhi where my in-laws lived and then to go to Middle East where my husband was working then. I had to travel to a small country called Bahrain all alone, as I hadn't gotten my visa.

Traveling alone for the first time was itself an experience for me although it was a short flight. Living in Middle East is a totally different experience. One can see quite a few Indians there and a newcomer doesn't feel lost. Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands and the inhabited part is very small. Foreigners form quite a part of the population, most of whom are from South and South East Asia. Coming from India, I could see a vast difference in the standard of living. Not only were the roads wide and smooth but also they were impeccably maintained. Though a small country, spread over 267 Sq miles, it is pretty. Being in a desert, it was hot though one is not exposed to the heat as much as in India. The Arabs who form the local population are friendly and helpful. Malls were a great entertainment and one could see all kinds of shops and shopping was simply a pleasure. Gold is of high quality and it is the best place to shop for jewellery. Headed by the al-Khalifa family, Bahrain is a liberal country. One can see women dressed in western as well as traditional clothes. Contrary to the general opinion, women are quite well educated and independent and the work force comprises of decent percentage of women. All in all, it was a memorable stay there. My only regret is that I did not pick any Arabic, as the local population is conversant with English. In fact some of them can speak very good Hindi. But before I could really look at it from close quarters, we had to move to the Far East due to my husband's job transfer.

My next stay was in Singapore, which is totally different from Bahrain in the sense it had a totally different culture. Singapore is not just one island but a main island with over 60 surrounding islets. The main island has a total land area of about 640 square km. The place is impeccably clean and properly maintained and is a fine country. There are plenty of fines for those who break the law and one would really admire the discipline there. As a woman, I felt extremely safe going around by myself in that country. The population basically consists of 80% Chinese, 15% Malays and 5% Indians. The four official languages of Singapore include Mandarin, English, Malay and Tamil. The government takes care of the citizens very well by providing for subsidized housing and a well managed retirement savings plan. Public transport is excellent. There are local underground trains and going from one place to another in these trains is really a joyful experience. Not only are the trains very punctual but they are also very well maintained. Singapore malls are must see places. Especially, the stretch of malls on Orchard Road. They are very huge and cater to the needs of all kinds of shoppers. Singapore is called shopper's paradise. For food lovers, it is a haven for seafood. It is called "the food capital of Asia." The famous hawker centers are possibly the best places to sample the various Singaporean cuisine. You can taste Indian, Malayan and Chinese dishes all in one night. With very strictly enforced offical Public Health controls in Singapore, it is safe to eat food from any of the restaurants or stalls. Singapore's main religions are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity. Though I was there for a very short period. i.e.4 months to be precise, it was an unforgettable experience.

My next hop was to Malaysia. Interestingly, Malaysia and Singapore were one country and Singapore became independent in 1967. The majority in this country are the Malays instead of the Chinese. The Malay are Malaysia's largest ethnic group, accounting for over half the population and the national language. With the oldest indigenous peoples they form a group called bumiputera, which translates as "sons" or "princes of the soil." Almost all Malays are Muslims, though Islam here is less extreme than in the Middle East. Traditional Malay culture centers around the kampung, or village, though today one is just as likely to find Malays in the cities. Malays are a very friendly people. Indians had been visiting Malaysia for over 2,000 years, but did not settle en masse until the 19th century. Most came from South India. Arriving in Malaysia, many worked as rubber tappers, while others built the infrastructure or worked as administrators and small businessmen. Today ten percent of Malaysia is Indian. Their culture -- with it's exquisite Hindu temples, cuisine, and colorful garments -- is visible throughout the land. It is a beautiful tropical country with its vast forests. Malaysian Rain Forest is usually high on the list for anyone planning a trip to Malaysia, and it should be: the Malaysian rain forest is unique in the world, the oldest on the planet. The highways are excellent and it is a pleasure to drive on those roads. Eating out is a popular pass-time in this country. Malaysia is a vast country where most of the population is in the Eastern part i.e. Kuala Lumpur and other places. Before I could see more of this beautiful country, we moved again, this time to India. After a brief stint in New Delhi for a year, we moved again, to the US. It is a totally different experience living here. The transition on the whole had been smooth for me so far.

The last four years, I have moved across five countries but I am not complaining. Now, I want to drive across all of the United States. I would also like to go to school here and be one of the thousands of Asian women who have been successful