An Aussie's Year in North America

06/08/10

Yesterday Liz and I bought our car! A 1999 Toyta Sienna. Such a relief. Tourists are given so many hurdles to jump if wanting to buy a car in the US. I wouldn’t want to do it again. I’m feel like a soccer mum driving it round.

Today we went out on a day trip to one of the biggest Amish communities in Missouri. It was an experience seeing how they live. I have mixed thoughts on the religion and their way of life. There are benefits to living such a slow, simple life. They’re highly focused on family. They’re craftsmanship (especially woodwork) is amazing and I’m sure their slow way of life and high levels of physical labour lead to much lower cholesterol rates than other citizens of the Missouri. However, I empathize with the kids of the faith. I’m sure they’re brought up in a more wholesome way than other kids of this day and age, however they finish school in Grade 8 and don’t seem to have the opportunity or access to any higher education. (This is a very outsider view). It makes you wonder how any freakishly smart kids can be satisfied living an Amish life.

The essentiasl part of the Amish culture is that they don’t use modern day technology. So the main question I have is, at what year did they decide there was too much technology and would not utilise anymore inventions or innovations?? Did someone on December 31st 1901 say. I’m pretty sure most of their tools are pre WW2. However they use plumbing and flushing toilets. So why is plastic plumbing okay, but not an iPhone. I laughed to myself when I saw one of the teenage girls. She was dressed in the normal Amish clothing - a long, plain dress and a bonnet head piece, however what was on her feet? A pair of Crocs. Probably some of the ugliest footwear ever invented, but the none the less, a modern technology.

06/01/10

On Sunday night the people of America celebrated Memorial Day. And when they celebrate, they really celebrate. Kansas City has puts on one of the bigger shows across the country, which we lucky enough to attend. Around 40 000 people set up deck chairs and blankets on a huge grass area at Unity station. From 7 30 to 9 30 they watch speaches, clips from war and enjoy the music of the Kansas City Synphony. At 9:30, every one turns their chairs around and face the other direction towards the Liberty Memorial statue. The orchestra the plays Beethoven’s 1812 overture while canons fire. This is followed by a massive fireworks display (nothing like Sydney on New Year’s but still pretty good). The whole event is actually quite moving and the perfect tribute to their soldiers.

Now to more pressing news - there is no good coffee in the States!!!! Don’t take Australian cafes for granted because there’s no such thing as a cafe over here, meaning no good coffee! I could be jumping the gun a bit quick as I’m basing this opinion on only 1 of the 52 states I’ve visited, but I’m pretty sure it’s the same across the board. Americans are served coffee in diners where the waitress comes around and continually fills their cup as they eat. Coffe in America - “quantity, not quality.” However, we here Seattle is the place for good coffee; Starbucks originated there. So we’re thinking of taking a small detour to the city to pick up a much overdue regular skinny cap. 

Looks like we’ll be in Kansas for another week or so before we buy a car and head off. Denver will be next for a few days. Then head south west to the Grand Canyon. Afterwhich we drive west to Las Vegas and then head north through Utah to Yellowstine National Park. We then do a 500 mile detour to Seattle for a coffee, and then up to CANADA.

05/26/10 (Notice the American date)

Flew into LAX yesterday. From the sky, it is amazing. The place is massive. Got to my hotel and then went straight down the street for my first American Big Mac. Australia’s Maccas has all over America’s - I wasn’t too impressed. Although the argument between two of the clientele in the restaurant made the trip worthwhile. Two guys up in each others faces over something ridiculous. Inmy thoughts, I was instantly transported back to the age of 15 playing Grand Theft Auto. I felt like I needed to press R1 and grab my baseball bat for defence. 

Tipping’s already become a bother. You have to tip for everything. Sorry I thought this was a “courtesy” bus. I’m sure I’ll get used to it.

Today I flew into Kansas. Wizard of Oz country. Awesome place. Staying in a suburban home with a big backyard. Even saw a squirrel. I really feel like I’m in America. And on top of that, Liz’s uncle’s cooking us burgers tonight.

A tour in Kansas City tomorrow. So much to do. Think we’re going to a theme mark too. We’ve got two weeks here so can’t do it all at once.

24/05/10

For my own amusement, and to improve my writing skills, I have decided to start a blog of our trip to the U.S. Thank you to all our friends who all bought us travel diaries - I think we ended up with about three each. Unfortunately I won’t be using any of them due to the invention of “the blog.” I’m sure Liz will use my three anyway.

Today’s the day we leave, well tonight rather; at 8:30 pm. Liz and I had an unsettling night last night as we did not how we were to feel about leaving the country for the first time, and came up with the conclusion that our mixed emotions cancelled each other out, ultimately leaving us deprived of feeling anything at all. It was like there were tumble weeds blowing through my Temporal Lobe. Stress cancelled out the excitement, anticipation cancelled out missing loved ones, and fear of the unknown was cancelled out by the need for adventure.

My Olds are taking us up to Sydney early today to do a few things before we get to the airport at 5:30 where we meet Liz’s Olds. They are travelling over with us as they’re going to the same family wedding that we’re heading to in Kansas.

Hoping to keep this post up for as long as I can, making it a ritual rather than a novelty.