New England – my USA “cherry” is popped - posted on Wordpress blog April 1, 2010

I’ve wanted to go to America for ages – usually the stereotypical places like New York, California, the Grand Canyon, Vegas, even New Orleans. So when the chance to visit New England popped up, I was intrigued and although it wasn’t first choice, it was a good place to start.
Well, on reflection, it was a GREAT place to start. Beautiful scenery, the vastness the United States has to offer with all its charm, but without all the vices we like to think we would hate of this McDonald’s munching, oversized nation. New England is rural and hugely expansive, but homely, welcoming and friendly. You can drive for hours just drinking in the scenery – the mountains of New Hampshire , the coast of Maine, the rolling hills of Vermont. It’s all there. And no, you won’t see a McDonalds from one town to the next. In fact in Stowe, Vermont, I was told McDonalds tried to open a restaurant which failed – purely because they don’t want it there. People don’t go to New England for that, they go for fresh air, great views, and an experience that will kill all of your preconceptions of America in one fell swoop.
For action lovers you have it all – skiing, zip lining, husky sledding. You name it, you got it (imagine an American twang in that!) But then if thats not what you want why don’t you just settle down in a cosy little hotel where you might even have a log fire in your room, you’ll most likely have a jacuzzi in your bathroom, and you’ll definitely have a friendliness you wouldn’t expect – never before have I heard the phrase “you’re welcome” quite so much.
Yes of course, some towns might seem a bit “hick”. People may look like their trousers are just a bit too high and they may look at you slightly stranglely when you reveal your quirky accent. You won’t find a nightclub in sight and in some places you might find yourself drinking beer out of a jam jar (it’s traditional). But this is the beauty of the place – it’s unmissable and man, will it have you hooked.
I will be back there, I guarantee it, and this time I plan to add New York into the mix. At least I know if the city that never sleeps doesn’t live up to all my dreams and fantasies I can always escape back to the home from home, so aptly named, that is New England.