New York, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas & D.C. - A summer trip to the west

For the most part of my time imagining places when I was a kid back in Nepal, it would mostly be about the United States of America. It had a lot to do with some of my closest family members living there. I remember that when I was around six years old, I would patiently, but eagerly stay in line to talk to my Uncle living in the states who had called us after months to hear his stories about the western, first world country. Of course, I was the last in line, after my Grandfather, Grandmother, Dad, Mom and my elder brother, and I would hardly get five minutes to say hello, but I would always be the last person to say goodbye to him and it made me happy. The stories from my Uncle and my elder brother (who later spent around seven years) about this giant country felt like an urban legend- something that would never come around in my reality, and this precise thought I had, compelled me to prove myself that I was wrong. And so, when a two-month vacation came around after my 2^nd Semester in Hamburg, I decided to go to this place that captivated me so much in my childhood. I had to do it, I just had to.

I was somewhat unlucky in the beginning because my flight from Frankfurt to Baltimore got cancelled and my trip got cut short by three days. I was very disappointed because I missed my trip to North Carolina, but was still excited to meet up with family and have an amazing trip.

The first thing I noticed when I made my trip from the Airport to my Uncle’s place were the highways. They were huge (I would later find out that it was nothing compared to the highways in Dallas, which were massive). The first day, I sort of embraced the American Culture and went to the mall. And it was there where I had my first culture shock. Because it was Labor Day, supposedly the last day of summer (I know, my schedule wasn’t very good), there were huge sales all over. When I think about it, I think I picked out a good day to visit the mall, not because prices were cheaper, but because I got to see what I thought was a huge festival inside the mall. The gigantic parking lot outside was full of cars, and it took us around twenty minutes to get a spot. Inside, the mall was full of people, in line for the fitting rooms, in line for the counter, and even for the toilet. I must admit, I was really impressed by the marketing strategies that every retail shop had, and was a victim to buying some stuff myself (which I probably didn’t need). But that was the thing. The red signs that read “SALE!!!” hung everywhere in every shop, and it was hypnotizing, and people (like me) were being bewitched into the schemes of low prices like moths to a flame (okay, maybe not the perfect simile, but I have to say, if you think about it, its arguably a good one).

United States Capitol, Washington D.C.

Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.

The Washington Monument, Washington D.C.

For the rest of the few days I was there, I made trips to Baltimore, New York City, Boston, Dallas and Washington DC. While exploring these cities was my primary goal, I was also very pleased to meet all my relatives scattered all around (some of whom I met after years). The best experience I had was in NYC (although it might not be a fair judgement because I spent a lot of time in NYC). One reason why I liked the city so much was that it was full of energy. It reminded me of Berlin in many ways (the diversity, so many things going on, a hub for art, performance, culture, food and everything else). While I had heard NYC being famous for its people being rude, I never actually experienced it. I was mostly travelling alone, but I was never on my own, because I met a lot of people wherever I went and tagged along with them.

A panaromic view of Times Square

Another reason is that NYC captivated me with its iconic skyline. I got off a bus in midtown Manhattan the first time I went to NYC and I felt this overwhelming excitement when I made my way through Times Square, walking my way to Rockefeller tower and the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.

Times Square at night

St. Patrick's Cathedral

 More than the place itslef, Hollywood’s influence on me is what I think made these places so exciting. Along with my walking tour in Greenwich Village, I saw several locations like the restaurant in which Llewyn Davis played in the movie “Inside Llewyn Davis”, Washington square park in “August Rush”, the iconic scene from Queensboro Bridge in “Manhattan”, and much more, which finally made it feel like Hollywood wasn’t in a galaxy far, far away. Besides that, I went to the “Top of the rock”, the top of Rockefeller tower and saw the skyline overlooking the city, which was fabulous. In the distance I could also see Central park spanning a huge area, and of course, I paid a visit there too.

Central Parking spanning a huge distance, as seen from top of the Rock, NYC

The iconic Skyline from Rockefeller Tower 

The observation Deck of Rockefeller Tower

Central Park, NYC

When I was still there, I realized that my initial plan to stay in NYC just for two days was far from enough. So, I decided to come back again, and I was very glad I did that because I could see a lot of places; I walked the high line, went through Chelsea market, battery park and walked the Brooklyn Bridge at midnight to name a few. Another reason was that I had the best Taco (inside the Chelsea market) and Japanese food EVER!

New York High Line, NYC

Brooklyn Bridge, NYC

It was obviously still not enough for me because I didn’t want to say goodbye to New York City when I left.  There were so many other things I wanted to do there like visit the Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, see a Broadway musical, explore Central Park some more, see a Shakespeare in the park play, see a standup comedy at a bar and, oh, the list could go on for ages.  But I like to believe that leaving behind some stuff in a place always makes you go back to that place again. So I’ve got my excuse to go back again.

Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, Boston

Near Boston City Hall, Boston

Quincy Market, Boston, Massachusetts

Fort Worth Water Garden, Texas

It was a month-long travel and I did numerous trips to a lot of places, and compressing it in an entry just isn’t enough.  I couldn’t stop myself from writing about NYC because I loved it, and although I had only two days for Washington D.C., I liked it very much. But I didn’t have the whole experience to write something about it, or about Boston, Dallas and Baltimore. I was thinking of doing a first impression (could easily be a very ignorant reflection) entry about the States but I realized that the country is almost as big as Europe itself, generalizing an impression doesn’t cut it. I did see a few distinctive features about the country that I liked very much and some that I wasn’t so fond of. I guess the same could be said about nearly everything. I could understand the magnetic influence of the US on people from around the world, and how it delivered on the prospects of a good job and a promising future. For me, I should say I loved the places I visited but I don’t see myself living there for now (considering if I ever get a chance…beggars can’t be choosers).

It was indeed an incredible trip, which didn’t let down my childhood imaginations and which never disappointed my expectation. I still feel very lucky to have visited so many places in so little time, and I can’t even begin to express how thankful I am to my Uncles, Aunts, Cousins and friends who made this trip the trip of a lifetime. Thankyou fam!!