Over analyzing in the USA

Upon landing and departing the plane, an intoxicating smell of donuts and sugar, hit me as hard as the humidity accompanying it. As I allowed my nose to experience the sweet sensation of the Krispy Krème flavored air, my stomach issued a grumbling sound that I was sure all of my fellow travelers could hear.

Traveling from a country that was experiencing winter and cooler weather conditions, my eyes initially found it difficult to adjust to the exposure of the summer sun. As a result of this, I squinted and took notice of the dry, bland colors of the unfamiliar place I had just arrived in; a myriad of brown, orange, yellow and grey shades poured over the city. The dry, humid weather placed itself heavily on my shoulders; my lungs felt weighed down as I attempted to breathe in the thick, sticky air. Despite wearing polarized sunglasses, the sun’s rays penetrated my vision, causing me to find solace in each blink my eyes took.

In an attempt to relieve myself from the heat and clamminess, I jumped into the first available taxi at the airport. My hospitable chauffeur, trying to score a bonus on the tip I was already obliged to give him, initiated small-talk; he spoke slowly, his jargon baffled me. We spoke the same language, yet his colloquialisms caused me to lose myself in phrases like, “word”, “silverware” and “cool and the gang.”

Arriving at the airport hotel, I hopped out of the taxi and could taste the city smog in my mouth. A combination of the previous sugary scent, cigarettes and trash overwhelmed me. As I entered the reception area and began the “checking in” process, I was handed a complimentary green apple. As I wrapped my mouth around this piece of fruit, I was disappointed to not feel the skin of the apple crush beneath my teeth; instead, it softly disintegrated, leaving a powdery texture in my mouth. I had finally arrived in New York City and, honestly, I could not have been more excited.

I can only watch as my time on this continent is being vacuumed at such a hasty speed. Initially, I had experienced culture shock; the American stereotypes I had seen on Australian television were amplified and I found it difficult to keep up with the fast-pace of this country. While skimming through the uploaded photos of my travels so far, homesickness subsides and my love for traveling, like an incessant vine, wraps and encapsulates me, right down to my worn-out Doc Martens.