Travel is always the best way to meet people
Backpacking from From East to West, 5652km.
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Boston – Elegant history and Lobster in the rain
I started my backpacking in Boston. Speaking of Boston, there are two words that come to my mind. These are ‘Histroy and Lobster’ There were many historic places that I read in the textbooks, such as Boston Tea Party, USS Constitution. Wherever I visited historic places, these places made me feel ashamed on the lack of historic knowledge.
The other thing was the Lobster. There is a funny story with Lobster. My friend and I went to restaurants which seemed to really expensive. We wanted to enjoy the atmosphere of Boston, so we seat at the terrace. All of a sudden, it started raining!!! We could not stop eating Lobster. After all, we covered our food with our body and finished eating. However, the lobster was the most delicious seafood that I have ever eaten.
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New York City – relaxing time under the heart of Capitalism
After traveling Boston, my friend and I were on the bus heading to New York City. I could not hold back my excitement going to New York City which is the main financial heart of the world. When I stepped off from the bus, I could feel the busyness of the city. Everybody was walking toward without looking back. I could not see easy-going people there. It was a little scary and sad. I would be the only easy-going person in N.Y.C. because I met Jimin who is the guy that I met in the Korean army I was very pleased to meet him. We looked back our military life and talked about how bad it was. I could forget everything such as, plan, time, and money, etc. while talking with him. I was very glad that we were reunited in the States.
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Washington D.C. – Well-planned tourist city and Korean war
The third destination was Washington D.C. As the capital of the United States, I could feel the dignity on this city. Most of the buildings are relatively lower than New York City. My first impression of this city was that it is a good place to travel and well-planned for tourists. I thought that Korea could benchmark this city when it creates new tourist city. Like the capital of the United States, D.C. showed wonderful impression.
The Korean-War Veteran Memorial came to us with respect and sorrow. If they were not in Korea to fight against Communism, I would not have any chances to go study abroad or travel. I would never forget the history of my country. I hope they rest in peace.
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Chicago – 18hours journey with Amtrak
I took train which took 18 hours from D.C. to Chicago. I could have taken airplane which was cheaper and faster, but I chose taking 18 hours train. I had flown many times when I went other cities and I really wanted something new experiences. There is another reason for this. I wanted to meet various people who are taking trains. As far as I knew, the stereotype for the public transportation was that people who only poor or strange take public transportation. I wanted to see whether this is true or not. It turned out to be wrong. I met people who are really nice and warm-hearted. Having a conversation people who were raised in a very different situation always make me reflect myself.
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Denver, Rocky Mountain – challenge myself and test my patience
Whenever I remind the scenery of Rocky mountain, I get chills. For me, It is the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen in my life. Things like Wind, flower, wild animal, and rocks seemed to be new because I had stuck in civilized society, like New York City. If I compare the scenery of Rocky Mountain with night view from Rockefeller center, the view from Rocky Mountain wins. If I have another chance to visit U.S., I would definitely visit here again.
The most challenging activity that I did in Rocky Mountain was to biking to the peak. I could have driven a car to the peak, but I did not. I wanted to enjoy this nature as longer and slowly as I can. My decision was absolutely right. I completely enjoyed Rocky Mountain. However, biking to mountain required a lot things like patience, stamina, and courage. Unfortunately, we could not go to the peak of this mountain because the weather was bad at the top. However, we got to Rainbow curve, which is really close to the peak. The first picture is from the rainbow curve. I never regret that I biked to Rocky Mountain.
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Las Vegas – City in the middle of nowhere
I was excited to visit Las Vegas until I saw this city in the middle of nowhere. City in the middle of nowhere… this is my first impression of this city. This city looks like gambling oasis in the desert. I thought that I could not live in this city. This city seemed all fake and illusion to me. I do not know why I felt like that, but I guess because people just visit this city for vacation and fun, so all the things look fake?
There is a no word for Grad Canyon. Make sure you visit here before you die
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San Diego – Ryan and being laid-back
When I was planning to visit San Diego, I contacted with Ryan who came to Korea as a exchange student in my school. Ryan said that I was welcomed to visit and stay his dorm. Everything was set for visiting San Diego. When we met each other, we were not awkward at all like we had hung out all the times. He also introduced me his friends and invited me to school party. I was happy to be social and meet new people. One thing that I felt in San Diego was that people were easy-going and laid-back. They seemed to be light-hearted. There were clear differences with Koreans. People in Korea look stressed and heavy-hearted. It might be the circumstances that they are faced like getting a job, political problems, etc. However, we need to be relaxed and see the far future as taking a step backward.
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Los Angles, Disney Land – I hate Mickey Mouse.
I went to Disney Land with my girlfriend and her sister. One thing shocked me was that the entrance fee. It was over $100!!! however, I paid it, saying this would be the last time for me to come here.
It was fun to be in the amusement park with girlfriends. it had been 6months to see her face to face. we had a good time. The thing was the Mickey Mouse. I could not understand people who were waiting for Mickey Mouse to take picture. I think we waited almost 1 hour to see him. He was like a dream character for kids.
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San Fransisco – Friends gathering
When I visited in San Fransisco, I felt like I was in Korea because I could meet my friends that I used to hang out in Korea. Some are international students, others are exchange students in U.S., some just arrived to the States from Korea. Thirteen of us thought that we were like hanging out in Global village in Korea; Global Village is the multicultural dormitory in my university, Soon Chun Hyang university. We had a conversation about how we got along with one another, how we were drunk in birthday. We looked back to our memory made in Korea.
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