Author contrasts America with England after a visit to the USA in Spring 2007
A holiday/vacation for most of us is a welcome break from the repetitive monotony and stresses of the office or factory. Ideally a chance to unwind with family and friends, and explore new areas. Apart from the change of scenery, a holiday for me is usually an opportunity to learn something new about the world we live in, the nuances of other cultures, and even how I relate to the rest of the world as an individual. I say this because the way you’re treated abroad may differ than in your home country. That applies to me certainly, and is one reason why I don’t believe we’re all the same. Of all the nations in the world, The United States has remained a beacon of fascination to me since my student days. This trip was my seventh visit there since 1990. I chose to foray into the rural heartlands of Kentucky, and West Virginia, states I had never traversed before given they’re off the beaten tourist track.
I drove a snazzy Chrysler rental car, covering roughly 1500 miles in a loop that took me from Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Ohio and then back up to Michigan. A highlight was a stop off at Mammoth National Park in south western Kentucky, which is home to the longest known cavern system in the world. Half the fun was getting there, meandering up the rolling hills with vistas to take in under the glorious basking sunshine. My overall impression of this particular chunk of America was favourable indeed, though I didn’t venture into any major cities. Driving across the wide open spaces of America is an exhilarating and even therapeutic experience for the mind and soul. It’s certainly roomy for my liking. The vastness of the land reminds you that you’re in a great nation with probably more miles of paved road than any other country on Earth.