𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗯𝘂𝘀

Our member Ms M. Basu recently visited her daughter in Columbus, USA. She spoke to us about her stay there, her trip to Las Vegas, and visiting the Titanic artifact exhibition at COSI.
On 15 April 2024 I travelled to the USA for two months to visit my daughter. I travelled with her friend’s parents who were going to San Francisco. I stayed with them for two days before taking a seven-hour flight to Columbus, where my daughter lives. During my stay there, I made a trip to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, located on the shore of the Shaughnessy Reservoir on the Scioto river. It was the first time I was seeing marine life at such close quarters, through glass windows, and I was fascinated to see sharks, manta rays and the strange manatee.
I enjoyed the view of the river from my daughter’s apartment. The riverside had a lovely promenade which was a great place to sit quietly or with friends. No amount of rain or sun seemed to stop people from going for runs by the river. I was struck by how polite the locals were. Passing cars stop for the elderly so they can take their time to cross the road.
During my stay, we made a four-day trip Las Vegas. Vegas is a truly astonishing place. Our flight was delayed, and we reached at 1:30 in the night, but the streets were so crowded it seemed like it was early evening. I was amazed by the Fountains of Bellagio: the fountains were extremely colourful, and their dance was synchronised to beautiful music.
Back in Columbus I visited the Columbus Arts Festival and the most remarkable museum, the Titanic artifact exhibition at COSI. The curators had put on display over 200 items retrieved from the Titanic wreck at the bottom of the sea. There were combs, necklaces, diamond rings, toothbrushes, coasters, all preserved so well that I felt that the original owners of the objects would come along any minute to take their possessions away!
On my way back to India I travelled to San Francisco and back home with my daughter’s friend’s parents. My stay in Columbus was lovely, but the most memorable sight was the view of the river from my daughter’s flat. I could spend days at the window, gazing out towards the river. I hope to return to Columbus one day again.