The Army
Make no mistake, Americans love their armed forces. Now don't get me wrong, that isn't a bad thing. In fact, it's made me realise how under appreciated our forces are back home. If you're in the Army in America, you get it good. Free healthcare for you and your family, free college tuition, if you're in for a certain time they give you a generous pension, 30 days holiday and life insurance. This is funded because the USA pumps massive amounts of it's GDP into their Army - hence the expression "dominance through superior firepower" which I have seen on some park guests t-shirts.
The respect that people have for the armed forces is also overwhelming. Every time I see someone in Armed Forces atire, they are thanked in the street for the great job they do for the country, they get massive reductions at attractions and are generally treated with so much respect. I sometimes wish our country would do the same.
The American Dream
This is one that's really sucked me in. America is "the land of opportunity", and I have seen what life can be like for those who apply themselves hard. Take the bus driver for our trips, Greg. He lives in a house which would easily be worth a million pounds in the UK. He has a balcony with perfect mountain views, and 8 acres of land. I was gobsmacked when I went in to his house.
Greg told me "I'm not a clever person but I'm blessed with all this. With hard work, anything is possible and that's what I tell my kids". It's rubbed off on me. I'm researching how easy it is to emmigrate here, because I honestly believe that this country holds an opportunity for me - and that it will take many years of hard work, but it will be worth it. This is also reinforced when I read that the UK has the lowest social mobilty in the world. I've had so many amazing experiences and opportunities open to me, and this is only in the small part of New Hampshire. Each state is like a seperate country in itself, and I believe that each one holds a lot of promise.
Freedom
This is the one value Americans value the most. Nowhere values their freedom more than New Hampshire, with the slogan "live free or die" plastered everywhere. As one of the park workers put it - "If we didn't have our freedom, what is there worth living for?" By comparison, the UK feels more like Mass., the neighbouring state. Their laws are much more prescriptive, you have to do this, that and the other and you're taxed to death for it. I've gotten so used to the general feeling of freedom that I have here, the freedom to be who I want to be, do what I want to do. If I want to sit in the trunk of a car because there is no seats left, I will. It's not illegal here. If I want to go skydiving, I will (and did). Living here has really given me a new outlook on life, and I really enjoy this freedom!
