गाल्टे ;), Excellent write-up aside, Disparity in luck ("Shanti" vs. you in this particular story) is a matter of fact in life that one would do better by accepting it with an endless degree of magnanimity, than take it in negative strides. Being lucky is not a matter of choice -- "Shanti" may have chosen to apply for the DV, but she sure did not choose to win it. I felt the particular need to make the comment since you seemed to imply that "Shanti" being less educated than you, should deserve either less than, or equal to, you in terms of acquiring the Green Card. One of the greatness of this country stems from the fact that this country is, after all, a land of opportunity -- for the most part -- for ALL, regardless of, for one thing, their academic achievements. You would pardon me, of course, if I have misinterpreted your thoughts. **************************** MazeMyan, "...the incosiderate pushy bhaiyas...you wont get your chaya...without forcing your way to the cash register"? "...having to plough your way to the cash counter through the mass of sweating, keo-karpin donning mausijis who won't give a whit about standing in line like any decent perosn would do"? "...pushed out of way by those for whom buying some 'bengan' before me meant the end of the world"? "Paan spits all over the street..."? "...being shoved around on the sidewalks by freshly-arrived proud shoulders and elbows"? "...having to negotiate my way around the voluptous behinds of desi aunties..."? I think your description of Jackson Heights has more to do with your stereotyped prejudice than with facts. Some may be an occasional anomaly, like everywhere else, but they hardly are the usual way of life there.