| Brad and Jen's World Trip Travel writing/philosphy |
| Anywhere U.S.A. Have you ever been to "Anywhere" U.S.A.? It is a place you go where it is hard to tell exactly where you are. When visiting a new place, our eyes take in the new sites, our ears hear the unique sounds, and the nose takes in the distinct smells that embed the time and place into our memory. The power of our sense of smell calls us back to summer days of our childhood. The food of the summer fair, the cooking in my grandmothers kitchen, the smell of fresh cut grass. All I have to do is catch a wiff and I am instantly transported in my mind back to the time and place. Did you ever hear the songs of the ice cream truck? Where were you on your street block when you heard that last. Remember running home in hopes of finding Mom to get some money. Can I make it in time to catch the truck? Have you ever been to Anywhere U.S.A.? I have traveled around the country and have many distinct memories. The sound of silence on the open plain during a calm summer day in Wyoming. I have never heard anything so silent. The smell of the fresh mountain air at 3:00am as I begin to climb Mt. Shasta in northern California. I have taken in the fresh smell of mountain air, but only one smell transforms me to the slopes of the third highest peak along the west coast. Have you ever been to Anywhere U.S.A.? Sure you have. It is the American way. Find it the same everywhere. No variation. We want to be able to count on the fact the we can get the same things we are used to wherever we go. The Big Mac. Count on the comfort of it tasting the same no matter where you are. This is something that is strived for. If you travel from coast to coast, you can count on the same meal the whole way. Why do we need to travel? Is it not to experience something new? The epitome of Anywhere U.S.A. is the stretch of suburbia where you can eat at the Olive Garden, or maybe Joe's Crab Shack, how about TGIFridays? If you want it fast, you can choose from McDonald's, Burger King, or Taco Bell. All this food is needed after a day of shopping at Pier One Imports, Best Buy, Sportmart, Target, or WalMart and the list goes on. Maybe you came from the mall. You have to love Pennies, Dayton's, no Dayton's, oh that's right it is called Marshal Fields in some places . Don't forget Victoria Secrets, Sears, and Wilson's Leather. If you look real close, you just might forget where you are, because this place exists everywhere....at least in America. The land of the same, the comfotable, the give it to me the way I want it, when I want. I have been to Anywhere U.S.A. I will take the challenge to find the different and the potentially uncomfortable. It's o.k., I can handle it. The funny things is, the more I am challenged the more I find myself being able to better handle the next challenge. Try it out, maybe you will find the same to be true for you. Bon voyage! Brad |