Adventures in America Part 10: Coming to the end of my time in New Hampshire

Today pretty much summed up my time here in America. I woke up early and immediately got on the phone to my insurance to finally be told that they are reimbursing me. After a lazy lunch I decided I would retrace my steps that I first made when I arrived here, by visiting Goodrich Falls.

As I picked my way amongst the rocky path, I was suddenly hit with the memories of my first day here. The excitement of going out in "a random direction", not knowing what was in store or where I'd end up. I was pretty jetlagged and tired but so wide eyed and excited at what lay in store. Goodrich Falls is, and forever will be my first memory of the beauty of New Hampshire. Since I was unprepared for the hot weather, I stopped at the county store up the road and bought some water. Immediately the attendent noticed my accent and we got chatting.

This situation pretty much echoed what happened today - and emphasised the friendliness of so many American people. The ability to talk to randomers up here is something I've taken for granted, so when I went to the waterfall today I met a few anglers and had a nice chat with them.

Eventually I left them and went down to that spot where, 3 months earlier I had reached the waterfall and stood in awe of the beauty of the place. I had never seen anything like it in the UK, and I remember sitting on a rock just watching the water go by, wondering what lay in store for me.

As I sat there today, only much higher up close to the top of the falls, I thought about everything amazing that had happened to me. The people that I've met, and the things I have done.

This was the summer I jumped out of a plane at 15,000 feet, the summer I stood on top of mountains and shouted "hello world!". The summer I made everyone on the pirate ship sing "Happy Birthday" for a child on the boat and saw his face light up, the summer where I got a potentially life threatening illness, the summer I spent 4th of July in small town America - and standing for the anthem. This was the summer I got drunk in a field and woke up hungover in Tia's tent, the summer where I screamed so much going down a water slide, and the summer where I rode waves up and down Old Orchard Beach.

I've never been to a place which has been more welcoming, more hot and humid, more extreme and generally fun. Living in New Hampshire has honestly given me a completely new outlook on life. I feel so much more relaxed out here and I am so glad I made the initial plunge all those months back.

In all certainty, I will miss this place so much. The residents here take for granted waking up everyday and seeing nothing but unspoilt mountains, and the general freedom this state permits. I know this country has it's problems, but I know I've seen all the good that America has to offer.

To all my New Hampshire friends: thank you. So, so much. Meeting you all has been amazing, and you've opened my eyes to another way of life. You've accepted me with open arms and shown me so many good times. I will honestly miss all of you, and your comments about how tall I am, my slicked hair and how stereotypically British I am. Despite the long hours, baking heat and tiring conditions - you are what I wake up for every morning and you make my work days fun!

Ahead of me is my time in New York, and California - and then it really is time to stop living the dream and return home.

Have I enjoyed my time here? You bet.

Will I be back one day?

Just try and stop me.

Adventures in America Part 9: My take on some American values

Quite a few things have become apparent to me while I'm here. No matter what political affiliation, belief or religion, the vast majority of Americans hold these values dear - and would you believe it, I think some of them are rubbing off on me!

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!

Adventures in America Part 8: Americans' perception of British folk

It's now been over 2 months that I have been working at Storyland, and the more I speak to the park guests the more it becomes apparent that many Americans have some odd perceptions about British people. Of course, this could just be that New Hampshire folk have these odd idea, but I'm assuming it isn't for the purposes of this blog!

1. Britain doesn't exist, only England

For some reason, I have grown accustomed to saying "I'm from England" since most people here assume that England is the entire country. That being said, I can't really blame some of them. England is constantly in the news for political action, the capital is there - and when do you hear about Wales or Scotland in the news? ;)

2. Everyone thinks we all talk like Nigel Havers

Cheerio, pip pip, tally ho - all phrases that American park workers and guests constantly throw at me. It must be a legacy of too many clichéd films where every British character is an aristocrat who talks with the Queens English. Apparently my hair and accent don't really help - I have been told by some Americans that they think everyone does their hair like me, and that we all sound as posh as I do to them. Tia told me "The first time I saw you, I knew you were British". Perhaps I am a walking cliché after all...

3. Everyone thinks we live off crumpets and tea

Another legacy of some truly awful films. Whilst it is true we are a nation of tea drinkers, we don't live off the stuff. I even had some girls go on my ride one day again and again so I could talk to them about London, crumpets and tea. They really couldn't get enough of it! I didn't know whether it was that patronising but I enjoyed it all the same

4. The association with Harry Potter or the Royal Family

I have been asked countless times what I thought of the Royal Wedding a few months back, and my opinion of the Royal Family as a whole. For some odd reason, I also have alot of parents point at me and say to their kids "he's from the same country as Harry Potter". American workers keep asking me to say "Harry Potter" because apparently it sounds better with my accent. I get asked all the time if I've been to London too - it's fortunate I have because I'd sound a bit of a lame Brit abroad otherwise!

5. The misconception we all suffer because of "socialised medicine"

A lot of right wing Americans believe that the NHS is socialist, and that you shouldn't have to pay for the mistakes of others who "drink and smoke themselves to death". The irony of statements like this in a country with a maassive obesity problem is staggering. They find the NHS such a strange system, as they are so used to health insurance

6. People tell me have you heard of "X town" in the hope it will be somewhere near where I live

A lot of American visitors and workers still have close ties to the UK, it's only natural since New England especially is steeped in history from when we settled this country. Yet many guests have a habit of telling me a random place name, hoping it is near to where I live. I also have to explain where Lincoln is in terms of distance from London - because that's the only city they know about!

Rule Britannia!