For several years, I had a strong longing to return to the USA. Finally, on the 30th of August, my dream came true as I boarded a plane bound for LA. It had been three years since my last visit, a short one at that, but this time I was determined to stay longer and explore the country while visiting all my friends who lived there. The decision became even easier when I signed up for a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy course in Philadelphia. Planning my trip for 1.5 months, I had the freedom to be flexible with my dates, ensuring I could attend the course and celebrate my birthday during the trip. This flexibility also allowed me to find amazingly affordable roundtrip tickets, costing only 340 Euros (around 370 USD) for the journey from Stavanger to LA and back from Miami to Stavanger. With the flights sorted, I set out to plan the rest of my journey. The final route took me through Los Angeles, Reno, Seattle, Detroit, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Miami, relying on a combination of bus and flight travel.
Why travel solo?
Now, let’s talk about why I chose to travel solo. It wasn’t due to a lack of travel companions; rather, I simply wanted to embrace the freedom of independent exploration. Making my own decisions on where to go and what to do felt liberating. Plus, solo travel often leads to meeting new people and forming unexpected friendships—especially in the US, where striking up conversations is easy. It’s fascinating how a simple visit to a clothing store can result in a sales assistant sharing their life story. These encounters are quite unique and different from what I’m used to in Norway and most parts of Europe.
What I found surprising…
During my trip, I noticed some surprising aspects. Despite having visited the USA multiple times and even living in Seattle for a year, each state felt distinct and almost like a different country. The nature and architecture varied greatly, especially when I traveled from one city to another and covered long distances. Seattle, in particular, captivated me with its lush greenery, reminding me of the beauty of Norway. It felt even more enchanting than when I lived there previously.
Prices
The prices, however, caught me off guard. I remembered the USA being reasonably affordable in the past, but things have changed. As a Norwegian, accustomed to the high cost of living back home, I usually feel richer while on vacation abroad. However, this time it was the opposite. The strong dollar and the weaker Norwegian Kroner made everything seem quite expensive, especially starting the trip in LA, which is known for its higher costs.
Accomodation
Finding accommodation was another challenge, as luxury hotels like Four Seasons were beyond my budget for a 1.5-month stay. However, since I’m not exactly into backpacking, I still preferred a bit more privacy and cleanliness than what traditional hostels typically offer. So, I opted for several Airbnbs, and I was pleasantly surprised by their quality. I chose rooms with as much privacy as possible, often with private bathrooms. In my future posts about each city, I’ll delve into more details about these Airbnb experiences.
Transportation
Regarding transportation, I found that taking the bus wasn’t as common in the US cities I visited (at least not in the cities that I visited). When I mentioned using the bus in LA, people often reacted with surprise, associating it with homelessness or poverty. However, their opinions didn’t deter me. I saw the bus as a practical and cost-effective way to navigate the city. Not only was it cheaper than taxis or Uber, but it also provided an excellent opportunity to immerse myself in the local atmosphere and explore the city at a relaxed pace. In fact, I even opted for an overnight bus journey from LA to Reno with FlixBus, which proved to be a clean and comfortable option—perfect for those on a budget. During my travels, I was indeed taken aback by the significant number of homeless people in all the cities I visited.
Crime
One concern that weighed on the minds of my friends and family was safety, given that I was traveling solo, using buses, and staying at private homes via Airbnb. Thankfully, I felt completely safe throughout my trip. I avoided walking alone in the evenings in LA but felt comfortable doing so in other cities that were considered “safer.” However, an incident occurred when I was walking in downtown Seattle on Friday the 13th. Witnesses informed me that someone had been shot just 10 minutes before I arrived. It served as a reminder to always exercise caution, regardless of where you are.
Stay tuned for my upcoming posts, where I’ll share my experiences in each city I visited. In the meantime, you can follow me on Instagram for more updates.
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Anyah Mroz 