Recently, members of the Journeys Within team were sent to the United States to share their stories on behalf of Journeys Within Our Community. Here, Makara, a three year employee of the Journeys Within Hotel, shares his impressions of their time abroad.
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I had the opportunity to visit a few states and everything was different from one to another — and it is all totally different from Cambodia.
It was a fundraising trip, but I have some free time to see some things around too. It was great to see other country because I have never been out of my country before. I had a good time, but I just missing the local food sometime. I can eat everything burger, sandwich, Mexican and Italian foods, but I am not used to it yet, because we were only gone for a few weeks.
I landed in San Francisco, California; and the first thing I noticed is the airport was so big and beautiful. We then drove three hours from airport to Truckee, along the way I could see that there were a lots of small houses, which was different from what I thought before arriving. The weather was cold and I needed to wear my jacket all the time – not what I am used to. Truckee is a mountain town with really great views, and as we drove along the hills I could feel my ears popping. The roads are big and they have highways, freeways and railways that connect state to state. The people in Truckee live on the mountains and in the forest, but they still have access to everything like clean water, power and internet everywhere, even though they live in the forest on the side of a mountain. It was amazing!
New York was different from California — this state is very nice with a lot of tall and big buildings. The people all look so busy. They prefer to walk then take the car, because the road is so crowded. I went to see the subway — in there the people are just like go! go! go! They moved so quickly that sometimes I got push in to the train. I had to wonder what they are doing and where they are going. Time Square is so nice – here the billboard lights mean it is always day time. I went to see the Central Park, it was very nice place with green views. There are a lot of people go to visit and lay on the grass.
Washington DC is another beautiful state. But the traffic is crazy, not so many people are walking, because from one place to one place is far. I had a chance to see the Capital City Building, it was amazing. The people are friendlier than in New York.
One day we went to see Reno, Nevada; it is a state that has a lot of gambling. During the day it looks quiet, the road is not so busy, but I heard that in the night time it is so crowded.
For me, there was no disappointment at all. I wasn’t surprise with how different the living standard are compared to Cambodia, because I can see the difference in the level of education. I mean in the USA, the people know a lot more about how to live together and how to respond and support their country.
It was a big gift from Journeys Within Boutique Hotel, they gave me a great bonus as I have been along with them for about 3 years. This trip was a big gift from Journeys Within Tour, they arrange a great trip for me.
It was also a big gift from Journeys Within Our Community — they gave me a great experience and an opportunity to help them back as they helped me pay for my college for four years in 2007.
Again, thanks to Andrea, Brandon and the Journeys Within Team.
— Makara
Loved reading your well-written impressions Makara! So happy you had a good experience. Our friends really enjoyed meeting you!
This is beautifully written, Makara. It really was an amazing trip. I enjoyed keeping up with the travels of the J4. It was fun for me to hear your impressions of what you were experiencing. Thanks again for taking those great photos of the squirrels. Now that we are back living in Hawai’i, I miss squirrels.
Are there any American foods that you miss? I remember reading along with Narla’s posts and hoping I would see rice on your table soon.
Thank you very much for reading my writing.
Ask you know, that is first time for me been a way from local food for two weeks. But I like the American food, I like stake, and it is so expensive. I can find stake here in Cambodia, but it is still expensive for me.