Travel Diary: So long America, it was fun :(

I wanted to find an image that represents the USA in differing ways for this post, I decided on this picture taken in Austin, TX.

The famous yellow taxi. Glass highrises dwarfing the one storey eateries lining the grid traffic systems. Right lane driving. These all stand out to me as a British traveller.

My home city of Durham bans building over two storeys high in some areas to prevent obscuring any views of the cathedral, or so I was taught on a geography trip back in school. Grid systems would be ideal, sadly this is impossible when our city was built when horses were the main mode of transport. It was also important to build in an area that was difficult to conquer, common throughout Europe. It is a city that has always taken my breath away, not just because of the views but the effort needed to walk up to the market place. You can see why the centre is pedestrianised, and how this spot was perfect for the building of a castle and cathedral.

Credit: Van Rhijn Aerial Photography

But this post is about the New World. Today, I received notification that my US visa expired. It isn’t something that I have looked to renew as I have spent the years since 2010 in Malaysia, Brazil and short breaks in Europe. A lot happens in this space of time. I lost my father and uncle in recent years which of course took the wind out of my sails. I had no ambition to travel at all but thanks to great friends and amazing family, I got back on my feet. I would love to have went back the States and it feels weird that I haven’t, I made great friends and still keep in touch.

Sometimes we don’t get upset that something is over until it is over. I haven’t thought much about the visa still being valid but now I see it isn’t, I slumped a bit. If anything it is a reminder that I need to visit this great nation once again, one so vast that one image alone cannot portray the United States of America accurately. I miss the food, the friendly people, the numbered streets and alphabetised avenues and people thinking I’m Irish or Australian.

My visa expiring has inspired me to visit again one day!

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26 thoughts on “Travel Diary: So long America, it was fun :(”

  1. I had the same pull when I received my reminder about the visa. I made it to the US this summer after a few years of travels to other countries. The people are just as friendly and the food is fantastic. It is great to be back!
    Happy travels Sam!

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      1. Still here. Have been to Miami, New Orleans and Avery Island. Currently in Houston. Going to Galveston for the weekend. Have to decide on a travel route on my way back to Miami for beginning of August. Think it will be via Tennessee and Alabama. First time blogging and travelling. 😊

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      2. I’m glad I’m following your blog 🙂 I really liked New Orleans, Bourbon St was fun! I never got to visit Houston whilst in TX, I’ll check out your blog and read up on your experiences!

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      1. Don’t know if this will work, but its a comparison map of British Columbia Canada, with the UK……
        https://www.facebook.com/login.php?skip_api_login=1&api_key=120747144734501&signed_next=1&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsharer%2Fsharer.php%3Fu%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Foverlapmaps.com%252Findex.php%26display%3Dpopup%26ref%3Dplugin%26src%3Dlike%26kid_directed_site%3D0%26app_id%3D120747144734501&cancel_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdialog%2Freturn%2Fclose%3Ferror_code%3D4201%26error_message%3DUser%2Bcanceled%2Bthe%2BDialog%2Bflow%23_%3D_&display=popup&locale=en_US&kid_directed_site=0

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    1. It didn’t work on my phone so I used the computer at work 🙂 it’s so big in comparison haha, it’s hard to believe your provinces are the same size!!

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      1. I’ll be heading back to the east coast. A summer camp in Connecticut. So I fly to New York from here. But if I’m in Australia I will have to fly to LA! Fingers crossed anyway! 🤞🏼

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      2. Never went on a summer camp but they do seem fun! Australia to LA seems like a long flight, how long would that take? I don’t mind long haul, so I wouldn’t mind regardless 🙂

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      3. Ahhh it’s great! The kids love it! And us councillors get to act like big kids too! It’s a performing and creative arts camp so I’ve met some weird and wonderful people.
        I looked a few weeks ago for prices for next year, I think I’d fly Melbs to LA but it says it’s about 14h, crazy!

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      4. Haha well it sounds incredibly fun!

        14 hours is a long time. It took me that long to get to Brazil, which would have been fine if they had air-con for this Englishman. I had to pour water over my face for the whole journey…

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  8. I am now not certain the place you’re getting your info, but good topic. I must spend some time finding out more or working out more. Thank you for fantastic info I was looking for this info for my mission.

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  9. Wow, superb weblog structure! How lengthy have you ever been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The whole look of your site is magnificent, let alone the content!

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    1. Thank you so much!! I’ve been blogging since 2014, so I’ve had a while to improve it over time 🙂 I try to blog every day although that hasn’t always been the case, it can be very difficult indeed!
      Thanks for the kind words!

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