The big move from Trump's America to a first world country has entered the next phase. We landed on 2 February. Everything is similar yet so very different. The obvious differences are obvious like driving on the left side. It's the subtle differences that are surprising like the quietness and darkness. In my American experience you surrounded by more light and sound than you realize. In our home in Washington state you can always hear some noise, like pigs rushing to a call or loud music from cars driving by. Out here, nothing but silence. Street lights and commercial signage fill US skies with bright lights all night long. Here, no massive street lights in most residential areas. Tacky sights and sounds don't intrude uninvited in to your home. Food is very different. It's fresher and not full of chemicals and preservatives. Ingredients list you can read and understand what's in your food. Can you identify disodium guanylate? Quirky difference are grocery store carts (aka trolley or buggy in the UK), they have 4 wheel maneuverability, in the US the back wheels are locked in place. Somehow it makes shopping way more fun, you can move faster.
Difference will abound. We are embracing the changes. Everything has been great so far. The people and welcoming, helpful and genuinely friendly. Americans smiles a lot but that should never been mistaken for actual friendliness. I'm an American and I am speaking from my personal experience. American is a stage set of dream that struggles to be realized. America is losing the battle to be the utopia dreamed of and described in the Declaration of Independence.
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