where is the home

some places grow on you. you don't even know it unless you leave the place, go somewhere else to live. few years ago a Pakistani guy from Silicon valley moved to Chicago, but I did not know that. I knew his father somehow, who gave me his son't cell phone long time ago and I have talked to him and met him few times when he was here. in order to find his father's where abouts, one day I called the son. he was very excited to hear my voice and starte telling me how he moved to chicago 6 months ago and repeatedly asking how is the valley? in few minutes he started complaining about everything in chicago from weather to traffic to people etc. he told me he is waiting to find a good opportunity and move back. he genuinely missed the place.

There is really nothing special about this place that will attract the new comer. this summer 2 of my distant nieces came over rom BC to stay for a week and have a feeling of the silicon valley as they wanted to moved here after graduating this year. we moved them around to show the valley...they did not like san jose at all. The place just did not seem to have enough greenary, landscape, big city attraction to pull them over.

story of another guy. this canadian dude moved to silicon valley about 9 years ago after graduating from uni. 2 years ago he was totally burned out. he started hating everything about this place...coupled with his slight bias again Mr Bush it made things worse. since we were colleagues offices next door, my ears started hurting listening to his complains about silicon valley, claifornia and america at large. he just did not think america is worth moving too. sold his house, options; left his job and moved to calgary. bought a house there. didsome long distant consulting. spent 6 months in schelles Island. afew months in italy, britain, spain and few other places.

guess what...he is back in town. dude has a reality check (his words not mine). this is the guy who was born and raised in canada, had his money appreciate 20% since last year in currency exchange:-) he says - Canada sucks big time...it is great place for losers to live. I got bored. There is nothing there. You can;t start a business easily..too much regulation. it took me months to get my ducati bike registered. it is almost communist country. dude there is not place like california and silicon valley on earth. believe me. mix of food,weather, people, opportunities..everything. I am not moving back again. I wish I had taken green card earlier..stupid me.

I am not sure if these guys are just emotional or what.

There is another chowkie who left the valley for canada. and these days is internationalist business wiz...i think in truth he misses the valley too..and did not like Canada as much as he tries to tell us.:)