The First Ignorant American on My Trip

So yesterday I met my first ignorant American. It was on the Greyhound of course. She was from Arkansas, and had a thick southern accent. She was the one who started talking to me, so to be nice I asked her about her home state, what she did, those kind of things. Well, she didn't know much about Arkansas except for the small town she was from, and she didn't work. She'd tried that, she said, but she didn't like it. So now she lived at home and did nothing. I told her I was from Europe, travelling through the States, and she looked at me like I was crazy. But I guess then she remembered that I was going from Europe to America and she told me that she never found a reason to go anywhere else. I don't know, something about her just made me angry. Finally I decided I'd rather listen to what John Mayer had to say than her, so I put my headphones on. But I guess it was time for me to meet someone ignorant after having meet so many wonderful people already.

I'm in Albuquerque now and I have to say that I have a very good feeling about this place. I met a girl called MaryBelle, who told me that the people in Santa Fe and Albuquerque residents have a fight going on, so that'll be interesting seeing that my next destination will be Santa Fe.

Anyway, I should go get breakfast before I venture out to see some rattlesnakes and churches.

Nadia

Flagstaff, Arizona

So this morning I woke up in Flagstaff and went downstairs to have breakfast at the hotel. I ate and was about to go outside, when a woman from the hotel kitchen asked me if I was visiting Flagstaff for business or vacation. I told her my story: that I was from Denmark and traveling all over the US. She looked scared and after telling me how brave I was, she said "I bet you call your mother every night". I told her I had no phone and she started to look so bewildered that I felt I had to calm her down by saying that I got to talk to my mom in New York, where I did have a phone for a week. "Your mother must be so worried about you" the lady said and I replied by saying that she probably was. And then she said "every girl should be able to call their mother" and found the manager of the hotel. Turned out they only made domestic calls which I think bummed the woman out, and the last words she said to me was "don't you trust no one, and take care now. And call your mother when you get the chance!" I thanked her and went on my way.

And that's the way people are here in Flagstaff. They are the sweetest kindest people. Another example: Later I sat in a cafe when suddenly I sneezed. Normally that would be ignored, but here the people around me all said "bless you".

Besides the folks here in the town, everything else is pretty awesome as well. This is the perfection of small-town America and I'm so glad I came here. The downtown is colorful and so charming. Today there's snow everywhere, but still it's warm. And the whole town has this cool vibe that I haven't found many other places. What can I say? I love this place. Albuquerque has a lot to live up to now.

Superbowl

So I arrived in Flagstaff and it's snowing here. Crazy.

However, first I need to tell you about a unique experience I had yesterday. Because of my new and tattooed friend Amanda I got to celebrate Sunday Superbowl at a private home. and not any private home either. Amanda took me to spend it with some friends of hers that used to be useless, but now live on the outskirts of Vegas. Visiting them was worth this whole trip. They were such warm people and by the time I left we had all become friends and the woman of the house, katrina, even gave me a shirt and a Saints scarf, so I could always remember. I also got a lot of great questions about Denmark like if it was the capital of Belgium and if it wasn't right next to Spain? My favourite one, however, was if we have cats and dogs in Denmark, too? To this I replied that, yes, we do, which established that it was just like America then. I loved those people, and I love Amanda who I will absolutely miss on my way further into this land.

But I am now in Flagstaff and in an actual hotel even (sitting in the lobby right now). I've been looking around for a little while and I think I like it here. One thing is for sure: the people are so nice. I got the warmest welcome when I arrived here and walking down the street i must've looked cold because suddenly a man stopped me to give me his gloves. It looked like I needed them more, he said.

Catch you later guys. I'm off.

Chicken Dinner

Yesterday I actually heard the words "winner winner, chicken dinner" at the Bellagio. And that's Vegas for you.

Raining in the desert. What are the odds?

It's raining in Vegas today. I walked all the way to the Fremont Street Experience to feel what the locals call the real Vegas and eat deep fried Twinkies at Mermaids Casino. People who, like me I admit, watch My Life on the D-List will understand (this is NOT something I'm proud to have watched, but I do love it).

Getting to Fremont Street Experience was a mission. I had to walk the bad part of the Strip forever until FINALLY I saw a man on a horse in neon lights - not a real man, mind. But it was so worth it. You haven't been to Vegas if you haven't been there as well, that's what I say.

Anyway, that was pretty sure, I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still here. Tomorrow it's all about the Strip with its gambling and debauchery.

Nadia

Vegas morning

It's late morning in Vegas and I've woken up late. Last night I went to a strip club with a girl named Amanda, and it was awesome. I mean, I know what goes on in strip clubs, but seeing it is just crazy. And the dudes there are all superiour and Vegas-like. You gotta love it.

Anyway, Vegas is the place for waking up late. When I arrived yesterday the city consisted of a bunch of tall and impressive buildings, but when the lights came on after dark it fucking blew my mind away. Suddenly it was crazy impressive, and even though I'm not a gambler I can appreciate lights.

So today I'm going to check out the casinos on the Fremont Street Experience because I love it there already after having quickly walked down there once yesterday. It's like the poor man's Vegas. And then I should go get once of those fried Twinkies, cause they seem DISGUSTING. And that's as good a reason as any.

Vegas!

Hey guys,

Sorry I haven't been keeping in touch, but I haven't been around the wonders of the Internet for a while. Now, however, I am in Vegas and things are a bit different around here. Since you and I last spoke I've been watching the skater kids of Venice beach do their thing (and god, how the spirit of the Z-boys is still alive) and I've been spedning way too much time in Barstow, the shittiest place in the world. Okay, maybe not (they do have a Starbucks after all), but that city does come close. What a dump. It almost looked like something the Europeans had come up with to make fun of Americans. Everywhere was a fast food sign or some motel that tried to sell its room by sporting how it had HBO (just a sign of how LAME Barstow is), and being there for more than 24 hours have only made me appreciate Vegas so much more.

Because, despite of everything, there is life here. And lights. Lots and lots of lights. Flashing and bright and real Vegas-like. It looks kind of like exactly how it does in the movies, but real. Because I'm actually looking at it with my own eyes, and I can't believe what I'm looking at. You know they even have slotmachines in supermarkets here? That's just crazy.

Later dudes, gotta go to a strip club.

Nadia