Ah, America. A place divided in so many ways, yet so cohesive at the same time. Your editor was born in the USA, but after living there 22 years, enough was enough. Let it be known that some of my siblings live there (I love them dearly) but they are not the stereotype of what “Americans” are, or appear to be to other humans. We’ll skip some of the chiding comments that float around (even though there is some truth to it.) Visiting the United States can be a high-stakes, high-reward experience for a traveler, full of exhilarating highs and frustrating lows. What makes the country so enticing is often the very thing that makes it annoying, creating a paradoxical travel experience.
Unparalleled Diversity and Grand Scale: The sheer size of the USA is its biggest draw. A single country contains a staggering variety of landscapes and cultures. You can spend a week in the canyons of the Southwest, the next on the beaches of Hawaii, and the next in the urban canyons of New York City. The mountains, deserts, coastlines, and forests are often on a scale that is awe-inspiring and truly unique. But one of the odd and disconcerting elements is the perceived “not in my town” vibe in so many place. Even in this enlightened and world-aware world, you still may visit places and definitely get the cold shoulder.
In essence, the USA’s travel appeal is a powerful but challenging trade-off. The freedom to explore its grand, diverse landscapes is balanced by the financial and logistical burdens of a car-centric and consumer-focused society. Click here (courtesy of VegOut Magazine) to read an even more nuanced take on ‘Murica. Be forewarned, the author is a vegetarian.
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