So the great comparison then...USA vs Home, pronounced Britain. Seems a little unfair at first but really I’m judging the corner of America I have visited, and America should realise that Britain is vastly different to London, or most preconceptions about our little Island!
The most important being that it is vast in many ways in comparison to the States. I use the words specifically. America is a band of STATES, each with its own governing body, and each different, in much the same way as England is different to France, or Ireland. Similar, but different. So ‘vast’ then... sure in one sense.
The difference geologically, up and down our land, is on a scale I didn’t encounter throughout any individual State, and we have a lot of people crammed in over here. That in itself is more of a difference than I can ever explain here in words. It should be experienced. Often whilst cycling, I heard people say to be careful over in North Carolina, or Tennessee (even though I didn’t make it there), and that’s fine, as opinions go. But here in Britain you could hear the same thing said by a Mancunian about a Liverpudlian. And the two cities (Manchester and Liverpool for you guys across the pond) are barely thirty miles apart! The differences found between the North and South of America are replicated over here, but on a tighter scale. So no you haven’t seen England at all if you have been to London.
What of other things?
Litter- much the same really, only in the States they use prisoners to clear roadsides. Probably wouldn’t work over here as not many places are as isolated.
Food- Britain scores highly here. We have such a diverse culture that we have a wealth of really excellent restaurants everywhere. Population centres make the difference, in Chicago you could say much the same, but in the South ‘Grits’, and anything corn, really doesn’t entice me. Perhaps it’s just me.
Travel- I’ll remember the long white line stretching out in front of me along the edge of the highways. Truly America has a wealth of things to see, I barely scraped the surface. Both countries cater for what they have. America has spectacular State and National parks, we have historic buildings. Until I cycle extensively over here (I didn’t tour much at all before I came to the States remember!) I’ll reserve any judgement on the comparative ease of cycle touring. That said, the smell of the Chicken wagons as they passed me on the roads will remain etched into my nostrils!
Weather- Too often we moan, but there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. That said, I’ll take 85 degrees any time. Florida wins!
Drivers- Same, we are all human. Mostly.
Cars vs Trucks- ours are cleverer, yours are cooler. An automatic 4x4 truck is surely a motoring oxymoron. A 4x4 should be driven by a person who knows what gear they need, not by a computer. That said, I would always choose a truck if money were no object!
President/PM- a national representative. Trouble is we blame them for a lot of things. For example, Clinton was a great guy, and committed no crime, yet got impeached. I’m not condoning his actions, but legally, he was okay. Obama inherited the political equivalent of dryrot. I hope he maintains an intergrity. Our PM is almost honest, tackles issues and isn’t shy. As for his bad side, he represents only a minority in the unbalanced system we operate over here. I guess the real target of any ill-will in either case should be the media who seek to canvas our anger only to manipulate our wallets in their favour.
Overall I have three lasting impressions:
- During my weeks I encountered a nation of communities and people who struck me as friendly. It sounds simple doesn’t it? But this is said by someone who would consider himself a friendly person. It became a clear difference to me. The natural reserved-ness of the English should be no excuse for inhospitablity. Of course this is by no means everyone, but we really struggle to open conversations with strangers that don’t begin with a moan. Americans never struck me as having this flaw. I will remember this assessment and in this will try to copy an American attitude.
- I also encountered a broken America. In every town I passed through, decay was evident, an America that was beyond a glossy image. Patriotism has its disadvantages, perhaps, when change is avoided for fear it may change identity. Identity will change naturally, and is preserved by the passing of generations. Political, social or religious attitudes are often mistaken for identity and are a called tradition. Tradition becomes an immutable, fixed entity. It isn’t, or rather, shouldn’t be viewed as such.
- Cycling is great fun!
