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International Spirit Magazine

  • Spring 1997
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  • AIDS special issue

The International Spirit magazine

STUDENT TRAVEL IN AMERICA

From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam - America has it all, from its lowest point in Death Valley, California at 200 feet below sea level, to 20,000 feet of Mount McKinley in Alaska. It is a vast country spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean - almost three thousand miles across, the 50 united states contained within the borders of a single country more diverse in language, landscape and culture than some continents containing many countries. America is a true "melting pot" of cultures and peoples. Eskimos, Native American Indians, Irish, Italian, Asian, Mexican, Indian, African, British, Greek, Scandinavian. Every race is represented, all religions practiced in our land.

The United States is a young nation, just two hundred and ten years old, yet the influences of cultures thousands of years old are evident in the architecture and faces of those who represent them. One can see the towering structures of New York and other great cities and literally hours later find themselves in a deserted landscape containing the ruins of years ago. For example, historic Williamsburg, Virginia containing the rich evidence of history from the first settlers in America around 1607. It remains a beautiful, mostly rural area just a short distance from the nation's capital Washington D.C. where you can witness the governing of the nation on Capitol Hill, discover the American history at the Smithsonian Institute and check out the White House memorials and monuments. Las Vegas, a glitter and so-called "entertainment capital of the world", is located in the middle of the desert, hours from the nearest town, yet it receives millions of visitors a year, boasts over two hundred places to gamble, topless showgirls, glitzy hotels, fancy entertainers, dozens of wedding chapels and millions of dollars a day won and lost in casinos.

The beaches of California are legendary. The Rocky Mountains cut through the west offering clean air, jagged peaks, hiking, wildlife and some of the best skiing in the world. Hawaii is also part of the US, a garden paradise in the heart of the Pacific Ocean with its own history of kings and volcanoes and language more like Japanese than English.

One could go on for hours about the treasures America contains and at first it can be overwhelming to consider it all, daunting in its possibilities for the traveler. Most Americans do not ever see many of their homeland's wonders and attractions. Places like the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota are just two of the most popular sites that draw visitors each year and many smaller places remain largely ignored by even seasoned travelers. For instance, did you know there's a place where you can stand in one spot and be in four different states at the same time? (Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah) or that the northern-most point in the U.S. is actually within the Arctic Circle? (Barrow, Alaska).

Do not be discouraged! Rather then thinking, "I'll never see it all! Why bother?" realize that even a lifetime of travel will not reveal all of nation's treasures. Instead, think of those places you've always wanted to see and start with them.

As a student in America, it is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the freedom and time to explore all the places you've ever longed to see or just wondered about. Just think of the magic of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, you can join in the fun drinking and dancing on Bourbon Street while Dixie-land jazz fills the air! Or of Shakespeare under the stars in the Central Park in New York City - you can see it for free! Or white water rafting on the Colorado River - it's all yours to do. What do you dream about doing? What stories do you long to tell your friends at home of the exciting things you've experienced in America? Our classrooms do not stop at the walls on our campuses. The entire country is yours to discover and learn from. Francis Bacon said, "Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education... He that traveled into a country...go to school, and not to travel."

There are many ways in which to go about travel in America. These are all based on a number of factors including how much available time one has, how much ground one wishes to cover, where you want to go, and, of course, how much money is available for your travel plans. It is ridiculous to think that in several weeks with a limited budget you would be able to realize your dreams of, say, visiting all fifty states. In all likelihood you would just remember nothing but a blur of landscape and an ineligible impression of the inside of a bus or train. If faced with a limited budget or time to travel, it is a good idea to try staying in a certain area (i.e. the Pacific Northwest), and see everything in that area with a more leisurely agenda that would allow you to absorb it more thoroughly and subsequently enjoy and retain it that much more. Another alternative is to travel to a small number of "pockets" (or specific areas), for example, exploring the Northwest by traveling south and then exploring these regions. This allows more coverage without too much time in trains and assures greater enjoyment of these places you wish to experience. It is also a good idea to research your intended places of travel beforehand. This will avoid confusion and help with your agenda (You wouldn't want to arrive in New Orleans two day after Mardi Grass has ended because you were on the beach in Miami when you could have easily reversed your plans and gone to Miami afterwards to recuperate!). It is also important to plan ahead, especially if visiting an area during peak season when accommodations may be difficult to obtain or, if traveling by air, when no flights may be available. The following are things to think about and compare as to methods of travel you may consider:

AIR: This is the most expensive method of travel and will most likely place you in an urban setting where ground transportation will be your next concern as well as lodging. Unless well funded, air travel should be used only to reach otherwise inaccessible areas (i.e. Hawaii, Alaska, a different coast). Air travel costs vary significantly from day to day and even depending on what time of day you travel, if you fly one-way or round trip (round trip often costs less), or which airline you use. Many airlines offer special fares (with restrictions) and promotions. Student fares are often available from agencies on or near your campus. Students should check all possibilities for the best rates. Ask your airline too, if they offer special promotions or incentives, such as Visit USA coupons (VUSA).

RAIL: Train travel is a good way to cover considerable distances in relative comfort and for a decent price. Although air travel is, of course, faster, traveling by rail offers the opportunity to actually see the terrain you are traveling through. Multiple stops also offer the choice to see even more. Amtrak is the nation's leader in train travel and connects locally with other train service, buses and ground transportation in over 500 different cities. Call 1-800-872-7245 or 1-800-523-8720 toll free for more information.

BUS: A closer, if more uncomfortable way to see the landscape pass. Definitely cheaper and more accessible - one can catch a network of connecting buses right down to an exact street or destination. Buses go almost anywhere so you can actually do all your traveling by bus. It is a slower way to go and expect numerous stops on long trips. On a crowded bus it can be very uncomfortable. Check for cost and time tables with Greyhound and Trail Ways for long distance at 800-231-2222, or local companies for shorter distances. CAR: Traveling by car is one of the best ways to get around. It allows the freedom to come and go as you please, to travel as near or as far as you please, and to go where and when you want. Costs add up with gas, tolls and maintenance, but options exist. Rental Car: Compact cars range from a couple hundred per week and up, not including gas, and in many cases rental companies charge by the mile. Be careful as this could make the rental too costly. Some companies offer unlimited mileage at no extra cost. This should be checked.
Buy a Cheap Car: Buying a used car can actually cost less than some long-term rentals! Classified ads offer numerous bargains, and so do notices of police auction (Check the Sunday New York Times Metro Section). In both you may find a fairly used car at a reasonable price. Then, the country is yours! Make sure all the vehicle registration, insurance and driver's licenses are in order before you drive!
Auto Driveway: Is a good company with dozens of offices across the U.S. and Canada. For a small refundable deposit they will connect you with automobiles people need driven from one point to another (i.e. New York to Los Angeles). They pay for the first tank of gas and you drive the car for free while returning it to the owner at the end of your trip! Unfortunately, this process does not allow for too many side trips along the way, but is an ideal way to explore. Their office in New York is 212-967-2344 and they can direct you to offices in 34 other states and Canada.

Hitchhiking: While often dangerous, illegal and not generally recommended, especially for women, hitchhiking can be the cheapest and most exciting way to really see the country, meet people and wander where your heart dictates. Hitchhiking should never be done alone and if attempted is best done in pairs (i.e. two men, or one man and one woman), for safety. Also couples are more apt to be offered a ride than a lone male. Lone females or a couple of women together will often have no trouble finding rides, but dangers are high for women and should be anticipated. One or two women should not even attempt hitchhiking, but if done – special care should be taken. Do not hitch rides in dark places or with someone who makes you uncomfortable for any reason. Truck stops and rest stops are good areas to "talk" your way into a ride where you can look over someone instead of just climbing into an unknown car. Truckers often welcome the company and are quite good at long hauls. Having a clear sign painted with your destination is a must and it is generally a good idea to stay off major highways but to try to catch rides on entrance ramps or at rest stops. Remember we don't recommend this form o travel in America, but if you decide to be adventurous be also very careful and vigilant.
Fodors offers numerous tour/travel guides to almost every part of America and can be found at any bookstore along with many other helpful maps and guide books. The "Bible of the Budget Traveler" and, in our opinion, the most comprehensive guide book available are the "Let's Go!" editions published by Harvard Press. There are "Let's Go: U.S.A.", "Let's Go: Pacific Northwest" etc. Covering in amazing detail everything we have lightly touched in this article.