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We plan to go on a Trek America tour from west to east - LA to NY - taking about 25-28 days. I know it'll be a lot to take in, but if you want to see the world you can't see anywhere in too much detail! I'm interested in everywhere, basically; east, west, cities, wilderness, culture...I'm fascinated with both the culture and geography of the United States.
I've known a few tour leaders that have worked for that company. You should have a good time and see a lot. The USA has 50 states so even then you will miss quite a lot.
I'm an Australian who has really wanted to go to the USA since I was about 5 years old, and it still hasn't happened yet. We're planning a trip for next June, so fingers crossed . Nowadays I'm not even that obsessed with it, yet I still regularly (about once a week at least sometimes) of visiting the US. Do you think actually visting will 'cure' me of this ailment?
Probably, yes. Since I was a little kid, I always wanted to go to Japan. About ten years ago, I had some good financial luck. So I decided to take some time off, and I spent about five months in Tokyo. At the end of that time, I was ready to get back here to the US. It was a great experience, and it did pretty much get Japan out of my system. Now Japan is on my, been there, done that list.
I'd suggest you plan out your trip well. So you accomplish everything you want to do with the trip.
I don't understand this. New York City is still New York City, the museums and monuments in DC are still there, the beaches in FL and California are still lovely, the grand canyon is still grand.
The world hears about America as guns and god.
That's offputting.
A woman on a plane the other day told me about a sign at a diner that she went to it had a no guns sign at the door.
This is our new reputation, like it or not.
The world hears about America as guns and god.
That's offputting.
A woman on a plane the other day told me about a sign at a diner that she went to it had a no guns sign at the door.
This is our new reputation, like it or not.
Yes, our reputation isn't too great these days, but America is still beautiful. The main difference that I've noticed between here and Oz, (besides the obvious ones that is) is that in Oz, the scenery changes very quickly. On one single hike there you can go from the rain forest to a dry forest and back to a rain forest again, and it's so odd. Here in the states, if you're on the prairie, you'll be there for hours at least--and that's when you're driving.
Our grocery stores seem to be more convenient to get to--not locked into a mall. Our small towns are deader than Oz's though--Wal-Mart has pretty much run all the small town businesses out of town. Most restaurants here are franchises these days--good luck finding an independently owned mom n' pop diner anymore.
If someone stops you from going to a certain part of town, listen carefully, b/c we have way more gun crimes than Oz, though it's not nearly as bad as the rest of the world thinks--you just know to stay out of certain parts of the city. I live in St. Louis and I can still walk around by myself at night--I just know which neighborhoods to stay out of. TV is not a good way to learn about our culture, though sometimes I think it's shaping it. And I think we may be the world's loneliest people, but I know most of us are kind. Do stop to see the Mississippi River when you cross over.
Location: Big Island- Hawaii, AK, WA where the whales are!
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I don't know how anyone could sterotype the USA as explaining the vast differences of lay of the land and people. I live in the same year in a tourist town that you can bring your guns in the bar, see a dead bear/moose on the sidewalk, snow available year round, enjoy incredible nature that is unfathamable. Also live in a small little tropical village, guns are rarely heard of anyone owning, warm all year people are amazing, nice and can be the opposite all in the same time.
Comparing New York city to the Corn Palace in Mitchell SD to Yellowstone National Park to Zion National Park to glaciers calving in Alaska to Hollywood to the Grand Cayon to a white sand beach in Hawaii is crazy to label it all the same. As a single woman I am fine to drive across country even to Alaska... just beware of the surroundings your in and the culture of the people you comes across.
Have a great trip and you may get it out of your system or become a transplant as friends of mine that are in New Zealand now. Take as much in as you can!!!
The world hears about America as guns and god.
That's offputting.
A woman on a plane the other day told me about a sign at a diner that she went to it had a no guns sign at the door.
This is our new reputation, like it or not.
I've never owned a gun, but I say "Thank goodness for our Constitution that allows gun ownership." (and I'm a liberal)
Trimac20, I wonder if you wouldn't mind telling us what cities and places you will go through? Do you have anything specific from your tour company? It's not to debate your choices. I am happy you are going to finally realize your dream and would be interested to know where you are going.
BTW, I'm from a small town. My mother looks like the woman in the bar scene in "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" ('all I can see are female impersonators..') I lived in Chicago for 8 years, and loved every minute of it. Even though I've lived "in the big city", I still find Manhattan absolutely magical. I never get tired of going there. New York City is second only to Paris, France as the best city in the world!
I'm an Australian who has really wanted to go to the USA since I was about 5 years old, and it still hasn't happened yet. We're planning a trip for next June, so fingers crossed . Nowadays I'm not even that obsessed with it, yet I still regularly (about once a week at least sometimes) of visiting the US. Do you think actually visting will 'cure' me of this ailment? Maybe it's partly because I'm constantly reminded of it on tv etc. I know in some ways it's not as magical as it seems, but in others way it still is very magical, especially stereotypical places like Manhattan or Hollywood.
Visiting could cure you from wanting to come back again, and the likelihood of that depends on what your expectations are, and where you go. I think you should do it when opportunity knocks, because you don't want to look back and regret it when you're much older and/or less able physically.
Going to New York City was in my Bucket List for decades. Two years ago I decided to do it, so I went to Manhattan for 10 days by myself. It wasn't a perfect trip (the Nor'east storm made it a real pain at times) but I'm sure GLAD that I did it.
What parts of the US do you want to see besides Manhattan and Hollywood?
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That's about the strangest comment I've heard all day.
. Nowadays I'm not even that obsessed with it, yet I still regularly (about once a week at least sometimes) of visiting the US. Do you think actually visting will 'cure' me of this ailment?
