Capital: Washington, D.C.    …     327,200,000 People         …           9,834,000km²
  

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The Country

With the most powerful military in the world and the largest economy by nominal GDP, The United States has extremely large economic and cultural influence around the world. Cites such as New York and Los Angeles have international symbols of “The American Dream”, which has lead to the U.S accepting the most immigrants annually. Although having multiple megacities, the nation also has amazing natural beauty in every state.

Fun Facts:

  • The current United States flag was designed by a 17 year old in a school project. He originally got a B-.

  • 1/8 of U.S workers have been employed by McDonalds.

  • Americans eat over 100 acres of pizza every day.

My Experience

I first visited the United States in 1998, when I was less than a year old. Obviously, I don’t remember it, but I have since been back to the U.S.A over 20 times. I have visited 12 states so far, including New York, California, Texas, and Alaska. I had the most memorable experiences in these states, so most recent stories will originate from them.

When flying back from Denmark, a friend and I decided to spend some time in New York City. I had spent some time in upstate New York a few years prior, but this was my first time in the city. We arrived in late December, so we were expecting to see a magical Christmas in New York. Although Rockefeller Centre had a massive tree, and 5th Avenue was filled with intricate lights, it did not truly feel like Christmas. Maybe because there was no snow, or maybe because movies hyped it up too much, but because of this we spent the remainder of the trip searching for festive places to visit. Our hotel was one block away from the Empire State Building, so that was one of the first places we visited. We also went to Times Square, The Rock Observation Deck, MoMA, and ended the night by going to the Radio City Music Hall to watch the Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes.

The next morning we took a subway to the Financial District to see Wall Street (a pilgrimage for any business student). We also went to the 9/11 Memorial Museum, took a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and spent the evening exploring parks and looking at Christmas lights. We eventually found ourselves in One World Trade Center, and from there we took the subway back to our hotel.

For breakfast the next morning, we decided to go with a healthy alternative… having frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity 3. It was pouring rain that day, but it was our last chance to see Central Park. Wet, freezing, and a bit grumpy, we decided to warm up by going to the Central Park Zoo. Unbeknownst to us, much of it was outside, but we got the unique experience of being the only two people in the zoo. After warming up in the exotic bird enclosure, we walked through Central Park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. With over two million pieces of art, we spent hours wandering through the museum. We then walked to the American Museum of Natural History just on the other side of Central Park, and spent the rest of day looking at exhibits and watching planetarium documentaries. The next day we explored the city with a friend who currently lives in New York, and spent the day searching for great food before flying home.

My favourite city in California is San Fransisco, most likely because I have amazing friends living there. I was staying in a hotel on Nob Hill, and had amazing views of the The Transamerica Pyramid and the rest of downtown. The first day there I met some friends in Mission Dolores Park, got the worst sunburn of my life, and then later in the day went to the Sunset District; a relaxed, beautiful neighbourhood my friend lives in. We then drove across the Golden Gate Bridge, and then ate crab chowder in a sourdough bowl at Boudin Bakery on Fishermans Wharf.

The next day I took a ferry to Alcatraz Island, known for its infamous federal prison. Most of the prison was open to explore, and I often found myself in areas alone. Stepping inside solitary cells was an eerie experience, but I was not expecting to be surrounded by bright, beautiful flowers everywhere outside; thus providing clear contrast to the crumbling and cracked buildings around the island. Later that afternoon I went back to the Golden Gate Bridge to take more photos, and went with a friend to Haight-Ashbury, birthplace of the hippie movement. We then went on a hike in Mt. Davidson Park, looked over San Fransisco from Twin Peaks, and went to Chinatown for dinner.

Texas and Alaska are the two biggest U.S states, and are the most geographically unique states I have been to so far. I have been to Texas 8 times, and what I remember most, is the amazing food. From breakfast burritos to crawfish boils, everything always tastes amazing. So far I have visited Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Galveston during my times in Texas. One of the most memorable experiences I had was starting the day at the Alamo and walking up and down the San Antonio River Walk before heading to Galveston to swim in the Gulf of Mexico, and then going to a gun range later that evening and having steak for dinner; possibly the most American experience I will ever have.

A few years ago, my friends and I drove from Whitehorse to Skagway, Alaska. We had Alaskan crab for lunch in a renovated brothel and saloon, and then wandered around the town. We then walked up to Reid Falls, and then wandered through the Gold Rush Cemetery. Although Skagway was unique, driving outside the town was also incredible; untouched lakes, mountains and trees covered the terrain, and we would often stop driving to explore areas off the beaten path. From the unique landscapes of Texas and Alaska, to the bustling cities in New York and California, the United States has intense variation wherever you go.


Photos of The United States

Empire State Building - At night, from Rockefeller Center

New York City - One World Trade Center at night

Skagway, Alaska - Snow capped mountains in July

Reid Falls - Cascading waterfalls in Skagway, Alaska

Flowers of Alcatraz - Outside A Block

Golden Gate Bridge - The famous bridge which opened in 1937

The Statue of Liberty - A gift from France in 1886

Alcatraz Island - In the decrepit laundry room

New York Stock Exchange - Just before Christmas

Elliot Bay - From the top of the Space Needle in Seattle