TRAVEL to U.S.A.

1. Always try to book your air tickets from a reputed travel agency at least 3 months in advance.Before finalizing dates of journey check with your children for their convenient dates and days so as to pick you up at airport.

2. Parents should get all their medical check ups and treatments done before they arrive in the U.S. If they need any kind of medication, they should carry enough to last through their stay with their prescription.Carry one additional spectacles with you.

3.Medical Insurance for your stay in USA can be taken in your  own country.However check with your children if they will be taking the same for you in USA.It is established by experience that taking insurance in USA is helpful as claims are settled quickly if necessary after illness.

4.Don’t bring food items. Especially fruits or vegetables! 

You can bring dry condiments in powder form.But ensure that they are packed in double plastic bags so as to avoid smell to all other articles in the bag. 

5.Carry your driver’s permit.After passing a driving test and a written test with local DMV dept. you can get a driver's license.

6.Carry with you minimum $ 500 for the journey.

7.Be vigilant while traveling. Avoid unnecessary talks with strangers.Do not carry their luggage for them. At the same time watch your luggage carefully and do not trust it to anyone even when going to the rest room. 

8.Carry your passport in a safe place like coat pocket or purse.Also it is helpful to write down on a piece of paper passport no.,visa no., Flight No.,and address of your son/daughter where you will be staying.This information comes handy while filling out disembarkation & custom clearance forms while getting down from the plane. 

9.While coming out,give confident replies to the questions asked by the Immigration and Customs Officials.

Planning for your stay in U.S.A.

Generally parents stay with their children in U.S.A. for longer duration.I have seen majority of them stay complete 6 months which is the present allowable period granted by U.S.Immigration.Hence one should plan well in advance for few activities to keep them busy.

I suggest following:-

1] If possible carry with you your own laptop or ensure to get a separate one arranged by your son/daughter for your exclusive use.This implies that one should have basic computer knowledge.You can communicate with your contacts by E mail,send photos and surf Internet for any information.

2] If possible carry with you a digital camera. During your site seeing photos taken can be uploaded and sent by e mail to your friends/relatives.

3] Women can do knitting work.Here you can get good quality wool/knitting yarns.

4] Get books on Cooking,Yoga,Religion,Philosophy,Music etc.This is good opportunity to devote maximum time on your hobby which normally may not be available back home.

5] Get board games like Chess,Draughts,Back gammon,Playing Cards etc.These games can be played with your grand children during their vacation,week ends and holidays.This way you can have a better bond with new generation.

6] For more healthy parents walking,jogging and cycling are good options to pass time as well as to be in good shape.

7] Visit nearby Park/ garden to form a group of parents who are staying in U.S.A. In similar conditions.

8] Do visit and participate in occasional community gatherings.

9] In case you have come to help your daughter/daughter-in-law for her delivery then you will be totally busy.

INTRODUCTION

This is my humble beginning.I will try to cover most of the points which I have myself experienced which may be useful to you. Comments/suggestions are welcome from all.

While preparing these tips I have included information taken from various sites,tips based on experience of other parents and latest information which is available on internet.