"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

I feel like the Genie from Disney's Aladdin coming out of the lamp after being cooped up for ten thousand years!

Over the last twelve months, I had been busy studying Arabic, Philosophy, Theology and other subjects. The studies were really intense - up to 7 hours of tuition per day, followed by a generous dose of homework, tests and exams.

As I was approaching the grand finale of my final exams last week, and feeling that there wasn't enough pressure in my life, I decided to travel to Comic Con International in San Diego just one week before my exams. I had little choice but to go. There's a three to five year waiting period to get a booth at Comic Con International, and Sufi Comics were really fortunate to get in.

So, packing my books, exhibition material and a week's supply of clothing, I headed off in the dark of the night (my flight was at 3 AM) to Comic Con International, San Diego, USA.

First Time in the USA

USA. YOU-ESS-AYE. This was my first time to America. I was sharing that fact with every fellow passenger who would make the mistake of listening. They would mostly nod and say, "Wow, you're going to have a terrific time. Go for it."

I wasn't sure what to expect on my first time coming to America. I didn't think much about it, but one expectation I did have was to be impressed. I was prepared to be wowed, to have my socks knocked off. Even given the recession and all, the USA is still a superpower. I'm coming from India, a developing nation. How could I expect otherwise? How could I not be impressed?

Welcome to the Bay Area, Baby!

With sky-high expectations and my last-minute preparations, I stepped off the aircraft into San Francisco Airport. I looked up and... "Excuse me," I almost asked. "Is this the San Francisco Airport? The airport that's in the heart of Silicon Valley? The original Silicon Valley, not the duplicate ones we have in India and other places. I'm supposed to be wowed here. I am not wowed."

Sadly, the SFO Airport was disappointing at first sight. Everything looked so old. The airport at Namma Bengaluru (Bangalore) is far more impressive.

But what the SFO Airport lacked in glimmer and shine, it made up for in friendliness and efficiency:

About 1,000 people were waiting for immigration processing - 500 American nationals and 500 visitors. Our wait was probably 45 minutes max, which is seriously impressive. Anywhere else would have taken twice as long.
There were about 20 counters lined up, each processing immigration as fast as they could.
Whenever possible, immigration officers were opening new counters and urging passengers from behind to join new lines.
My immigration officer, a Black American, was as friendly as an immigration officer could get. He asked about the purpose of my visit, and when I said I'd come for Comic Con, he replied, "Comic Con! Yeah, should be a blast."
The ethnic diversity I saw at SFO Airport - I don't think I've seen anything like that anywhere else. Looking down the aisle of visitors, I saw Indians, Pakistanis, Chinese, Arabs, Persians, Europeans and more. All a perfect blend, standing next to each other, slowly trudging forward in line.

When I looked down the aisle of Americans, again I saw "Indians, Pakistanis, Chinese, Arabs, Persians, Europeans." Not a single White American. My immigration officer was Black American, saluting to his superior who was Chinese American. It was brilliant - people being respected for their talent, skill and hard work without an ounce of bias.

I mentioned this diversity to my immigration officer. He gave me my passport, winked at me and said, "Welcome to the Bay Area, Baby!"

Comic Con!

From San Francisco to San Diego. From San Diego Airport to my hotel. I had completed more than 24 hours of traveling and was just "knackered." I don't think I was ever happier to see a bed I could crash on.

I was able to fight the jet lag and get decent sleep my first night in the USA. Below are miscellaneous observations and incidents that took place over the wonderful yet tiring week that followed.

Starbucks Everywhere

Oh my God, there were Starbucks everywhere! If someone knows how to run a successful retail chain, it's Howard Schultz. There was Starbucks at the airport, there were Starbucks on every street I passed by, there was a Starbucks in my hotel. Hell, there was Starbucks in my room! Were they stalking me?

There were at least three Starbucks cafes, outlets or booths at the San Diego Convention Centre. Almost every Starbucks I passed by was packed, with a queue of people who couldn't wait to get their morning cup of caffeine.

Organization at Comic Con

Comic Con was attended by more than 130,000 people! Perhaps the real crowd was about 150,000! It was massive. When I was stuck between crowds, I was reminded of when I was at Hajj, which has millions of people. At times it sure felt like that.

But the manner in which the whole event was organized - it was as if every organizer or volunteer just knew what was coming next and knew what they had to do to handle it. There were booths for exhibitors to ask for help, places for volunteers to go, places marked where attendees had to be. It was all worked out to the last letter. If in doubt, ask anybody and they would tell you where you needed to go.

Lines, Lines and More Lines

The last time I saw so many lines was in my school notebook! You had to stand in queue for everything - to attend a panel discussion, for a cup of coffee, even to go to the toilet! The self-discipline was brilliant considering the number of people there, but because of the crowds, I had to miss out on a lot of events I could have attended.

Those who planned in advance and were there 30 minutes to an hour early could meet artists such as Bill Amend, the artist behind the award-winning series FoxTrot, or author Eoin Colfer, famous for his Artemis Fowl series.

People I Met

This has been the highlight of my trip. I visited the local Islamic Centre and met several youths, especially Ebrahim Fontaine, Sarmad and Abbas Mamdani. They were awesome in helping me manage the Sufi Comics booth.

Most visitors at the booth were White Americans, with a few immigrants too. At the booth, I had several memorable interactions:

Enthusiastic supporters: So many people came by, looked at 40 Sufi Comics, shook my hand enthusiastically and told me, "I so love the work that you are doing. This is terrific. I am so happy to see this and truly wish you all the best." Some bought 40 Sufi Comics, most didn't. That was immaterial. The sincerity with which they shared the comment made my whole trip worthwhile.

Eager learners: There were those who looked one glance at our book 40 Sufi Comics and said, "Wow, this is awesome. I always wanted to learn about Islam and now I finally can. How much is this for? Only $10! I am so buying this. Could you sign it for me please."

Thoughtful gift-givers: There was this particular couple who looked at our book, picked it up and said, "Our best friend is a Muslim." The lady interjected and said, "She's more than a best friend. She is like my sister. Her son has recently become a Hafiz. This is so wonderful. I'd like to buy this for her."

The skeptic: I received two negative visitors over the four and a half days I was there. One said in jest, "Sufi Comics! Jeez, and I thought Christian Comics were bad. Oh, don't mind me, I'm an Atheist." I offered her 40 Sufi Comics and said, "Go on, have a look, there might be something that interests you."

She looked at the contents and said, "These are all the standard arguments (for the existence of God), there is nothing new here."

"But how do you explain the intricate design in the Universe?" I persisted.

"Oh, I don't really care," she concluded.

"Ah, well then that's that." We parted ways.

The A.R. Rahman connection: The most unexpected comment came from yet another friendly visitor. He stopped by the stall and asked if he could take a picture of our book. Of course we obliged. While clicking he said the picture was for his Sufi friend and he would send him this picture, asking if he would like his copy. He then said that perhaps we would know his Sufi friend. His friend is of Indian origin and his name is Arraman.

Me and Abbas (fellow volunteer) looked at each other. Arraman? No, we replied, we hadn't heard of him.

"Oh, you mean A.R. Rahman! You know A.R. Rahman?"

He said: "Why, of course, do you know him also?"

"Well... not personally. But we know of him. He's a legend."

Then he began to share wonderful stories of A.R. Rahman coming to LA to shoot for a Sufi project. A.R. Rahman was to make a production of Farid ud-Din Attar's Sufi classical work, The Conference of the Birds.

"Well please, here take a copy of our book for him and I'd be more than happy to sign it." So I got to sign a book for THE A.R. Rahman. Perhaps I'll hear from him soon.

Other Amazing People I Met

Pastor Ralph Miley and Buzz Dixon: I was pleased to see that there were other faith-based stalls besides Sufi Comics. I hit a very good rapport with Pastor Ralph and Buzz. Hopefully we'll be doing a panel together at Comic Con 2013.
Peter Birkemoe: It was really cool meeting Peter. He's the Wikipedia of Comics. He owns and runs Beguiling, a comic store in Canada.
Wattana Khommarath: An amazing artist who was also working with A.R. Rahman on The Conference of the Birds.
Nicole Shelhoup and Oriana Carciente: Two terrific artists.

All Good Comics Must Come to an End

Days rolled by. The end of Comic Con was approaching. Most days of the convention I was busy managing the booth, with little time off to look around. On the last day, I made the most of the convention. I opened the booth a bit late and managed to buy a souvenir t-shirt.

I found some excellent graphic novels and books:

I picked up a Plush Snowy puppy (from Tintin) for Maryam. I also invested in a vintage comic collection by purchasing two vintage comics (Issue No. 31 and Issue No. 42) of The Amazing Spider-Man with Stan Lee's signature!

We wrapped up the stall and with that, Comic-Con ended for me.

Saying Goodbye

When I woke up the next morning, it was as if half the population had vaporized. (Of course that doesn't stop Starbucks from having its usual packed crowd.) But the streets were emptier. The city just didn't have the buzz it had over the weekend. My friends there told me San Diego was a sleepy, relaxed town. I could finally see it.

Typing this blog post has made me nostalgic for San Diego. My first impression of the USA was not very impressive. But by the end of the trip I was sorrowful to be leaving. The fabulous weather. The great people. The terrific time I was having (just as my fellow passengers promised).

We have registered ourselves for next year too. If all goes well, we'll be there at Comic Con San Diego 2013, inshallah!