The United States from an European point of view

[wgerrard]

Based on your statement, a student like you would probably get a lot out of visiting the various civil war battlefields that dot the landscape of those states you mentioned.

As a student, the OP is likely to know much more than most of the people in those places.😉

Also need to factor in the reality that a lot of the cities and suburbs in the south are chock full of recent transplants. Heck, where I live (near Raleigh) we're home for 20,000 South Asians and three Hindu temples. The South changes, too.

 

[Frank Petronio]

I would

I would

consider going to one place and renting a sublet apartment so you are shopping in the local stores and drinking in the local bars, etc.

Little Rock, Arkansas might be a good spot.

You could find a season's worth of day trips radiating out from a base, and you'd form connections that a transient never could.

You might even find friends.

But if a road trip in on your mind, I would start at Washington, DC and drive into rural West Virginia. In less than three hours you will go from the highest levels of power to the poorest, most backward part of the USA. Continue on to Asheville, NC, then head towards the nearest NASCAR race, dip into Georgia and come North up the coast from Savannah.

Going along the Mississippi would also be an interesting trip, but I believe you need to start in the North (or a large city) to appreciate and see the differences.

 

[JohnTF]

Relax, people out in the country like foreigners, they may think of them as aliens, but as soon as they hear an accent, they will be very friendly and interested. Actually, you can probably go in to any place, and you will be treated as special.

Some will ask, "Now you all come on home", they actually mean it, you will be invited.

And, aside from the time I convinced my Czech girlfriend that it was OK to go topless in Utah, am afraid we are a bit odd with swimming attire. My grandfather even wore a top.

Wander a few of the College campuses, young people will share a cup of coffee, and you will get some invites.

The people in the country are as varied as are the folks in France outside of Paris are from your folks in the country.

Got to be some Lonely Planet guides, and the roads are really well marked, you will miss all those round-abouts in France, which tell you 200m too late that you chose the wrong exit. ;-) I got along a lot better when I just headed in the general direction.

Out west, as in many places, I found many nice places by accident, following my nose, much as I did in France.

You will post updates?


Regards, John

 

[kxl]

As a student, the OP is likely to know much more than most of the people in those places.😉

Exactly my point... Already knowing about those places as a student, and THEN coming to visit such places complement each other in ways that neither a "resident only" or a "student only" would or can appreciate.

Now, with the physical experience complementing his studies, he can then look through his camera's viewfinder in a way that is uniquely his own -- both scholarly and experiential.

 

[sooner]

I used to tell all my European friends that if they saw only two places in the U.S., make it New York City and New Mexico. I used to think New Mexico, which is beautiful and magical, was unique; but then I went to Morocco, which is very similar in parts, in terms of the geography.

 

[elude]

Hello everyone, I'm in the process of looking for a TYPE of place to stay in (5 days each city). We're sticking to Georgia and Kentucky. 10 days for each state. I'll come back alone if I fall in love with the places, for 2 months during the following spring. In about a year i'll be living in Ottawa and have time for travelling.

But right now, We've made up our minds to stick to two states in which we don't know what kind of hotel/motel/appartment we should stay in. I have never been a tourist, always been a "voyageur"; i'd love to keep it that way. What are your suggestions?

I'm a half/black/white man, she's a leggy white brunette, can it cause some problems in these areas? Cause I've experienced that issue in Italia and it was the most awkward thing i've ever felt.

 

[wgerrard]

Hello everyone, I'm in the process of looking for a TYPE of place to stay in (5 days each city). We're sticking to Georgia and Kentucky. 10 days for each state. I'll come back alone if I fall in love with the places, for 2 months during the following spring. In about a year i'll be living in Ottawa and have time for travelling.

But right now, We've made up our minds to stick to two states in which we don't know what kind of hotel/motel/appartment we should stay in. I have never been a tourist, always been a "voyageur"; i'd love to keep it that way. What are your suggestions?

I'm a half/black/white man, she's a leggy white brunette, can it cause some problems in these areas? Cause I've experienced that issue in Italia and it was the most awkward thing i've ever felt.

Elude:

I think you'll have a difficult time finding an apartment that will rent for only 5 days, especially in Georgia and Kentucky. (Neither are known as tourist meccas.) Places like that that cater to tourists really don't exist here.

For a 5-day stay, I'd just get on the web and look for hotels/motels that look acceptable. Go for one that has some kind of restaurant, so you can eat breakfast conveniently.

Almost certainly, this will be a part of a big corporate chain. But, the truth is that few independent hotels/motels survive that I'd recommend to a visitor.

I won't recommend any specific names, because I don't know where you are going or your price range. When you decide on your cities, post here and we'll help. Also, checkout the tripadvsior.com site, which has many reviews from "real" people. (Also some fake reviews from hotel managers and staff, but they're easy to spot. Just ignore the hyperbole.)

You won't have any problems as "a half/black/white man" and a "leggy white brunette." Times change.

BTW, to reiterate, it is hot and muggy down here in the South in August. Pack accordingly. Everyone you see will be wearing shorts, jeans, tee-shirts, light blouses, etc. Unless you plan on attending some formal set-piece event, I'd pack shorts (i.e., Bermudas), jeans, one pair of non-jean "casual" slacks, and a comparable shirt. Ditto for you friend, although she may want to bring along slacks or a dress to wear when you opt for the casual slacks.

Some hotels will offer dry cleaning and laundry services that can turn around clothes left early in the morning by the time you return in the evening. Some won't.

Shoes: What we call running shoes and what the Brits call trainers are expected with shorts and jeans. You might want to drag along something nicer and made of leather to wear, too, but unless you hit the the very best restaurants no one will care what's on your feet, and those places probably won't, either.

I'm assuming you're planning on renting a car and taking daytrips out of the city. Let us know.

 

[kansas_parker]

I would say that you have no more trouble running into problems based on race in the south than you would any where else in the US. I've seen more evidence of racism and discrimination on a personal level in the north than south.
You might look up local bed and breakfasts in the areas you're staying. There are various websites that have listings and booking options. Many b&bs offer discounts if you stay more than 2 nights or in the middle of the week. Most are privately owned and usually have some local character thrown in. They can be very reasonably priced, often times cheaper than hotels in the area.

 

[Al Patterson]

Hello everyone, I'm in the process of looking for a TYPE of place to stay in (5 days each city). We're sticking to Georgia and Kentucky. 10 days for each state. I'll come back alone if I fall in love with the places, for 2 months during the following spring. In about a year i'll be living in Ottawa and have time for travelling.

But right now, We've made up our minds to stick to two states in which we don't know what kind of hotel/motel/appartment we should stay in. I have never been a tourist, always been a "voyageur"; i'd love to keep it that way. What are your suggestions?

I'm a half/black/white man, she's a leggy white brunette, can it cause some problems in these areas? Cause I've experienced that issue in Italia and it was the most awkward thing i've ever felt.

Many different hotels are available, but there are a few with weekly rates that have kitchen facilities in them. I've included a link to one, there are others which can be found via a quick search.

http://www.intownsuites.com/detail_metro.asp?city=Atlanta

 

[Thardy]

Best just to stay in a hotel/motel for the short time you'll be there. I would actually look into accommodations now by checking into tripadvisor for the towns in which you're interested.

Prices may be pretty good considering the economy.

 

[elude]

Thank you, i'm looking into it right now. I can't wait ... I'm also a huge Folk/Blues/Jazz fan, hope i'll get to hear and discover some !

 

[JohnTF]

Thank you, i'm looking into it right now. I can't wait ... I'm also a huge Folk/Blues/Jazz fan, hope i'll get to hear and discover some !

Surf around on Google, and perhaps Craig's list, I have seen some interesting places offered.

A friend recently found a hotel in NYC for $60 a night including taxes looking around on the web.

As long as you have a car, you will find something, a lot of the chain motels have free wifi and are reasonable. I was quite happy with a Residence Inn near DC, free breakfast, a suite, and they even grocery shopped for you for free if you asked.

J

 

[Roma]

Definitely go to Selma, Alabama. There is history from Civil War (Battle of Selma) to Civil Rights (Bloody Sunday) and much more. It's a small truly southern town (without major interstate roads coming through it) with a lot to offer.
I don't know how light you want to travel, but I think just 24 and 50 lenses should cover your trip.
Good luck!

 

[wgerrard]

Thank you, i'm looking into it right now. I can't wait ... I'm also a huge Folk/Blues/Jazz fan, hope i'll get to hear and discover some !

On music:

The larger the city, the better chance of finding something you like

College towns are a good bet, too. Level of the musicians' professionalism is anyone's guess.

Commercial radio does not play folk, blues or jazz. Some, not many, FM radio stations do. These stations tend to be operated by college and universities and congregate at the lower end of the U.S. FM broadcast band (about 88.5-107 mHz). Just tune to the low end of that range and see what you can hear.

The Friday editions of local newspapers typically have sections about what's going on that weekend. Also, many areas have tabloid independent weekly papers that list pretty much every entertainment/music event that someone has brought to their attention. Look for them in newsboxes along the street. Should be free.

Of course, if you go to a city like New Orleans, there will be lots of the stuff.

Money: Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere. Sometimes a merchant will set a minimum purchase amount to use a credit card, but that's becoming unusual. I don't have a clue about how best to exchange Euros into dollars. Exchange bureaus are nonexistent here. I assume French debit and ATM cards can be used here to pull cash out of your French bank account. Check and see if any U.S. banks have agreements with your bank that allows use of your card here at a reduced cost. (Typically, the bank determines the exchange rate and adds an extra fee on top.) Big banks like Bank of America and Wachovia are widespread in the southeast. Some merchants install independent ATM machines not affiliated with any single bank. In my experience, these machines have the highest add-on fees.

Cars: American cars are just that much different from European cars. Make sure you know where the horn, lights, parking brake, wipers, turn signal lever, etc., are before you drive away from the rental lot. Buy the cheapest, lowest octane gas. (Here, gas is usually labelled 87, 89, and 93 octane. You want "regular", i.e., 87.)

Insurance on rental cars is not included in the advertised rate. Adding the insurance will often come close to doubling the rate. You need to buy the insurance from the rental company or sign that your personal insurance provides coverage. I'd guess that French insurance provides no cover here, but you need to check. Common rental companies include Hertz, Avis, National, Enterprise, etc. They'll all be lined up near baggage claim at any airport (and in shops downtown).

 

[JohnTF]

My friends from Europe have no problems with credit cards or ATM's, am thinking they will definitely screw you over any place that changes cash.

You will have to learn to drive automatic. ;-)

They basically screw tourists on the insurance, but, have not figured out a way around it. American Express used to become the primary insurance company when used for car rental.

E means empty, my Czech lady friend was looking for R when she ran my car out of gas on the interstate after I fell asleep. ;-) She said the highways were boring, and she could just tie the wheel. ;-)

If you reserve a cheap car, and if they do not have one available, they should upgrade you for nada, always ask regardless, they may have something that needs some miles, like a Cadillac. Enterprise supplies the Cadillac dealerships with rentals used during warranty repairs. Maybe you can get one with OnStar or GPS?

Check for Dollar, Alamo, and a few of the less frills companies, though I suspect the online prices converge a bit.

Bring your MP3. ;-)

Regards, John

 

[BillBingham2]

Larry,

Look into bed and breakfasts. You must have a car. Most people are wonderful but as with Paris, there are parts everywhere to avoid. If it does not feel right, leave. The best way to do money is credit cards or ATMs to get cash. The cost of getting money from an ATM over here is much less than traveler checks. There is almost no where to get foreign currency exchanged over here, do not waste your time. ATMs work fine from what I have heard.

Folks who run B&Bs usually have great places to point you too. Wonderful out of the way places to visit and learn. Old mills, farm houses and such. Purchase a GPS system (e.g. Garmin) that can help you with roads over here. Maps are fine if you know how to figure out where you are, but not everyone has that skill well developed.

While we are one big country, think of us as the EU, just with a much shorter history. We've had our Civil war, look to any conflict of your choice over there other than WWi and WWII. While we mostly speak the same base language, we have very different dialect and sub-dialects. Texas is very different from what you hear in Mississippi and that is again different from Florida. Cultures are a bit different but I find if you err on the side of more respectful you will not go wrong.

IMHO the greatness comes from our freedoms and the fact that most of us (Native Americans the exception) come from other places around the world. We have the freedom to become as great or as happy or what ever we want to be. There is no limited access to education, what you need to have is the desire or drive. The will to make something better for you or your family.

You can find that in many way and places throughout the area you want to travel. There is tradition and history, not as old as you might find around France or across the channel, but held just as deeply. Look to the local businesses, the places to eat, old shops (e.g. hardware stores might be some of the last ones).

Travel light, listen, ask, listen some more and you will be amazed at what you can learn and capture.

B2 (;->

 

[wgerrard]

We've had our Civil war...

Several posts in this thread have referenced the Civil War. I just want to say, as a long-time resident of the southeast, the Civil War ceases to come up in conversation immediately after the end of the week in high school history class that covered it.

Every European I've known has had an exaggerated view of divisions and differences in the U.S. prior to their first visit here. I attribute that to the way we present ourselves in fiction, films, and TV, and the fact that conflict, however unrepresentative, is news. Conflict is key to any story, after all. Likewise, Americans tend to have an exaggerated and distorted view of European society because we see it through the same conflict-oriented filters of journalism and fiction.

This country is huge and diverse, just like Europe. Accents do change from region to region, just as in Europe. (Dialects, not so much.) But the day-to-day social, economic and political characteristics that we all share and which meld us into a single nation are surprisingly strong and vital. Europeans I've known have consistently commented on that: You Americans are much more alike than you are different, and much more alike than I thought you were.

 

[bmattock]

Europe from a US point of view...

http://comics.com/get_fuzzy/2009-06-10/

 

[Al Patterson]

Several posts in this thread have referenced the Civil War. I just want to say, as a long-time resident of the southeast, the Civil War ceases to come up in conversation immediately after the end of the week in high school history class that covered it.

Every European I've known has had an exaggerated view of divisions and differences in the U.S. prior to their first visit here. I attribute that to the way we present ourselves in fiction, films, and TV, and the fact that conflict, however unrepresentative, is news. Conflict is key to any story, after all. Likewise, Americans tend to have an exaggerated and distorted view of European society because we see it through the same conflict-oriented filters of journalism and fiction.

This country is huge and diverse, just like Europe. Accents do change from region to region, just as in Europe. (Dialects, not so much.) But the day-to-day social, economic and political characteristics that we all share and which meld us into a single nation are surprisingly strong and vital. Europeans I've known have consistently commented on that: You Americans are much more alike than you are different, and much more alike than I thought you were.

If only I had a dollar for every time I was called a "yankee" by some good-old-boy when they learned I was from New Jersey....

 

[Thardy]

If only I had a dollar for every time I was called a "yankee" by some good-old-boy when they learned I was from New Jersey....

It's just a term of endearment, no hostility is intended. 😱