USA-USA-USA!!!!
One of the last thing you want to hear when entering the United States, in a small bordertown named Calais, Maine is: "Sir, I don't understand the purpose of your trip, can you please pull over and get inside the building for further questioning!" Especially when it is said in ultimate monotone, buy a 6 foot 4 Gommer Pile look-a-like (Gommer Pile is the crazy one in Full Metal Jacket).
So that was my entry in the United States. One hour of drilling led by a very cute blonde border agent... and a not so cute emotionless Robocop! Where are you from, what's the purpose of your stay, how long will you stay, who will you live with, do you have a job, do you have letters that prove you will have a job when u come back, how much money do you have... well you get the hang of it. Most of the questions were asked 2 or 3 times.... they even asked me if I had marijuana in the truck... Trick question!!! But all mu coolness didn't stop me from sweating, figgiting, imaging the worse... until they let me in... after searching the truck and its ridiculous amount of material!!
A big thank you here to Isa and John, two world travellers who had the misgiving of being denied access to the US. Without their advice, and misfortune, I would never have been fully prepared with all documents to cross the boarder.
Thankfully, this amusing entry to the US, wasn't reflection of the amazing 2 weeks I just had here.
First the driving. From small New England Towns, to the city of Boston, going through the craziness of drving New York and New Jersey to the vast dry plains of Texas and New Mexico. Mountains, deserts, forests, views as far as the eye can see, following Old route 66, and seeing the remnants of an America long forgoten have been the highlights of the road.
Then the people. I must admit I met a lot of people travelling the world, but not many Americans. This time I decided to couchsurf everywhere I went, and try to meet as many a I could.
Met Stephanie who introduced me to the best Portland brew.
My good friend Dianne who invited me to her class at Harvard, where mad discussion were had on teaching. Met her roomates, 2 physics phd students, one of whom is now my model against adversity.
Andrew, Becky and Buddy in Harrisburg who opened his brewery for me.... even after a made Friday night...
Veronica in Columbus who entertained me with her shananigans in Columbus.
Roni who took me to the best Pizza in Tulsa, and the best live music.
Hannah and her roomate, in Armarillo, who took me to the poshest traditional Texan thanksgiving dinner I ever attented (well it was my first American one really).
And the ridiculously large Texan in Boston who in the most laid back way, told me his story on how he got stabbed on Halloween...
But all that was topped by Mr. Dan Slavin, a friend I used to play football with in Korea, who showed me the most amazing time in Santa Fe ove tha thanksgiving weekend. A four day topped by great parties, amazing food, old indian dwellings, shouting riffles, shorguns and hand guns, swimming in hot springs, and hanging out with the nices, craziest and most hospitable people I ever met!
Now at the Mexican border, last night in the US... The adventure really begins!!!!
Weird facts...
Counted 13 dead deers, 7 dead racoons, 4 dad skunks, and one dead dog on the side of the road between Harrisburg and Columbus... that's barely 560 km!!!!!!!!
So that was my entry in the United States. One hour of drilling led by a very cute blonde border agent... and a not so cute emotionless Robocop! Where are you from, what's the purpose of your stay, how long will you stay, who will you live with, do you have a job, do you have letters that prove you will have a job when u come back, how much money do you have... well you get the hang of it. Most of the questions were asked 2 or 3 times.... they even asked me if I had marijuana in the truck... Trick question!!! But all mu coolness didn't stop me from sweating, figgiting, imaging the worse... until they let me in... after searching the truck and its ridiculous amount of material!!
A big thank you here to Isa and John, two world travellers who had the misgiving of being denied access to the US. Without their advice, and misfortune, I would never have been fully prepared with all documents to cross the boarder.
Thankfully, this amusing entry to the US, wasn't reflection of the amazing 2 weeks I just had here.
First the driving. From small New England Towns, to the city of Boston, going through the craziness of drving New York and New Jersey to the vast dry plains of Texas and New Mexico. Mountains, deserts, forests, views as far as the eye can see, following Old route 66, and seeing the remnants of an America long forgoten have been the highlights of the road.
Then the people. I must admit I met a lot of people travelling the world, but not many Americans. This time I decided to couchsurf everywhere I went, and try to meet as many a I could.
Met Stephanie who introduced me to the best Portland brew.
My good friend Dianne who invited me to her class at Harvard, where mad discussion were had on teaching. Met her roomates, 2 physics phd students, one of whom is now my model against adversity.
Andrew, Becky and Buddy in Harrisburg who opened his brewery for me.... even after a made Friday night...
Veronica in Columbus who entertained me with her shananigans in Columbus.
Roni who took me to the best Pizza in Tulsa, and the best live music.
Hannah and her roomate, in Armarillo, who took me to the poshest traditional Texan thanksgiving dinner I ever attented (well it was my first American one really).
And the ridiculously large Texan in Boston who in the most laid back way, told me his story on how he got stabbed on Halloween...
But all that was topped by Mr. Dan Slavin, a friend I used to play football with in Korea, who showed me the most amazing time in Santa Fe ove tha thanksgiving weekend. A four day topped by great parties, amazing food, old indian dwellings, shouting riffles, shorguns and hand guns, swimming in hot springs, and hanging out with the nices, craziest and most hospitable people I ever met!
Now at the Mexican border, last night in the US... The adventure really begins!!!!
Weird facts...
Counted 13 dead deers, 7 dead racoons, 4 dad skunks, and one dead dog on the side of the road between Harrisburg and Columbus... that's barely 560 km!!!!!!!!
posted by transamericatrek at
7:26 PM
1 Comments:
Your one lucky Bas**d. The trip sounds brilliant so far.The couch surfing thing is defo the way to go, the best way to get to know people and a leaba for free. I can only imagine the border crossing and what it was like with the americans. They defo live up to their name. Best of luck in Mexico thats when the real adventure is going to begin.
Look after your self
Matt
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