My Stay at St.Louis,MO

On 28 Apr 2010, at 6.00 AM, we have started from Houston for St.Louis in the State of Missouri by South West Airlines Flight from another airport in Houston called William Hobby Airport. After Security check, we have boarded on Flight 294 from gate No.20 and there were plenty of seats available, so we have been asked to sit where ever we want. We settled in comfortable seats near window. The Flight took off at 07.45 and we started watching the City of Houston from flying aircraft which was a wonderful scene. During the flight we were offered only coffee and peanuts as the journey was only 1 hour and fifty minutes. When the Missouri river was seen from the air I understood that we are nearing St.Louis. We have landed in St.Louis Airport at 8.35. Our Son-in-law Mr. Sunil Kumar came to Airport to receive us.

My daughter is living at Green Castle, Village Green in Chesterfield area of St.Louis. The area is fully green with beautiful wooden houses. The weather was very pleasant with maximum temperature of 18 deg C and with bright Sun but only warm. Chill winds yet times trouble us. During spring the weather is fairly mild and changes suddenly. Following is the information about the city of St.Louis what I have gathered from net.

St. Louis is an independent city^] in the U.S. state of Missouri. The city itself has an estimated population of 354,361 and is the principal municipality of Greater St. Louis, population 2,879,934, the largest urban area in Missouri and 16th-largest in the United States.

Before the European explorers traveled down the great river, the rich land that would become St. Louis was home to the Mississippians, a mighty Indian civilization of mound builders. At its height, more than 20,000 people lived in the fertile river valley. When that culture mysteriously disappeared during Europe’s Middle Ages, only their huge earthen structures were left, earning St. Louis one of its earliest nicknames, “Mound City.” Today’s visitors can explore that lost civilization at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

The city was founded in 1764 just south of the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers by colonial French traders Pierre Laclède and René Auguste Chouteau, who named the settlement after King Louis IX of France. The city, as well as the future state of Missouri, became part of the Spanish Empire after the French were defeated in the Seven Years' War. In 1800, the land was secretly transferred back to France, whose leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, sold it to the United States in 1803. Nicknamed the "Gateway to the West" for its role in the westward expansion of the United States, the city gave the moniker in 1968 to the new Gateway Arch built as part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial; the Arch has become the iconic image of St. Louis.

Once the 4th-largest U.S. city, St. Louis proper has seen its population slip to 52nd.At the peak of the city's influence, St. Louis hosted the 1904 World's Fair and 1904 Olympic Games, both the first of their kind held in the Western Hemisphere.In the 19th century, immigration from Italy, Germany, Bohemia, and Ireland flooded St. Louis, coloring the cuisine and architecture of the city. Many African-Americans moved north to the city during the Great Migration..

The city contributed to the musical styles of blues, ragtime, and jazz. The St. Louis Cardinals, one of the most successful Major League Baseball teams, make their home at Busch Stadium. Other professional teams include the St. Louis Rams (football), St. Louis Blues (hockey) and AC St. Louis (soccer). A diversity of successful sports franchises has led to St. Louis being called "North America's Best Sports City.” The city's many 19th-century breweries shaped beer in the United States, most notably Anheuser-Busch, Falstaff Brewing Corporation, and Lemp Brewery. The vestiges of French and Spanish colonization make St. Louis one of the largest centers of Roman Catholicism in the United States.

My stay here will be up to 24^th of May. Last week end we have visited famous Gateway Arch.  I have taken a ticket to go up the bridge. There were six coupes taking 5 persons each up to the top of the arch and I have taken good photographs of the city from there.

We have enjoyed river cruise on board TOM SAWYER which is a replica of 18^th century river boat that were plying regularly in the river Mississippi. We have travelled three miles in the river under famous EADS Bridge which was constructed in 1874. Still that bridge is so strong, regular rail traffic through it , seen even today.

My days are spent so leisurely without any worry or problem. Enjoying the mornings by walking out side the house and evenings visiting some shopping centers and big malls. Visit to Hindu temple complex was a wonderful experience where we can have darshan of all most of all Gods. Indians  here are much interested in our tradition and dharma and performing all pujas regularly and all festivals are performed here.