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greytone · 11-06-2004, 05:09 AM

Trying to see the US in one visit is a hopeless task. Think about the advice you would give someone from the Americas who wanted to come to Europe. Your answers to that question could give a lot of insight into those trying to advise you. I find that many Europeans don't really get the scale of this country until they actually visit. Texas is roughly the size of France to give you an idea.

If you want to see urban areas, concentrate on the Northeast. New York and Boston are obvious. Washington is interesting and is an entirely planned city. It is full of large scale monuments and museums. It will give you insight into what Americans find important, but it will not give you an idea of what it is like to be in the US. Philadelphia is full of historical sights from the time of the Revolution just like Boston and is interesting for that reason.

The midwest is full of great and friendly people. I love Chicago for the urban feel. The plains are interesting to see for about five minutes.

If you want to see something you have never seen, go West. The grandeur of the landscape is worth the trip and the culture is important to experience. For history and trendy art blended in a small town try Sante Fe. There is a small building there that was built as the Spanish government outpost before many of the East coast settlements where founded, and to this day Native Americans gather on the porch to sell their art and jewelery to those who visit. That city as served as the meeting point of three cultures for hundreds of years. Many are surprised by the fact that this was going on while the British colonies where just barely in their infancy.

California is a microcosym of the US as a whole. Any type of landscape or activity you want can be found there. San Francisco is worth a trip (but bring a jacket any time of year) as is Big Sur. That is the area of the coast between Santa Barbara and the Monterray penninsula.

Las Vegas is unlike anything you will say anywhere else on the planet.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the Southeast, where I now live. But, it is hard to know what to recomend here if your time and finances are limited.

Later in life, you need to see Hawaii. So far, that is my favorite part of the planet. Alaska is also full of natural beauty should not be missed.

Obviously you can not do all of this. If you try to do to much, you will only be frustrated, exhausted, and broke. You would also miss out on the opportunity to experience spending time with us.

11-06-2004, 05:09 AM	#16 (permalink)
greytone Junkie	Trying to see the US in one visit is a hopeless task. Think about the advice you would give someone from the Americas who wanted to come to Europe. Your answers to that question could give a lot of insight into those trying to advise you. I find that many Europeans don't really get the scale of this country until they actually visit. Texas is roughly the size of France to give you an idea. If you want to see urban areas, concentrate on the Northeast. New York and Boston are obvious. Washington is interesting and is an entirely planned city. It is full of large scale monuments and museums. It will give you insight into what Americans find important, but it will not give you an idea of what it is like to be in the US. Philadelphia is full of historical sights from the time of the Revolution just like Boston and is interesting for that reason. The midwest is full of great and friendly people. I love Chicago for the urban feel. The plains are interesting to see for about five minutes. If you want to see something you have never seen, go West. The grandeur of the landscape is worth the trip and the culture is important to experience. For history and trendy art blended in a small town try Sante Fe. There is a small building there that was built as the Spanish government outpost before many of the East coast settlements where founded, and to this day Native Americans gather on the porch to sell their art and jewelery to those who visit. That city as served as the meeting point of three cultures for hundreds of years. Many are surprised by the fact that this was going on while the British colonies where just barely in their infancy. California is a microcosym of the US as a whole. Any type of landscape or activity you want can be found there. San Francisco is worth a trip (but bring a jacket any time of year) as is Big Sur. That is the area of the coast between Santa Barbara and the Monterray penninsula. Las Vegas is unlike anything you will say anywhere else on the planet. I would be remiss if I did not mention the Southeast, where I now live. But, it is hard to know what to recomend here if your time and finances are limited. Later in life, you need to see Hawaii. So far, that is my favorite part of the planet. Alaska is also full of natural beauty should not be missed. Obviously you can not do all of this. If you try to do to much, you will only be frustrated, exhausted, and broke. You would also miss out on the opportunity to experience spending time with us. __________________ I was there to see beautiful naked women. So was everybody else. It's a common failing. Robert A Heinlein in "They Do It With Mirrors"