A new world - lintworm in the USA

[lintworm]

re: hiring a car. As noted in my first post, I will rent a car for about 10 days (in two locations in total), it is reasonably impossible to get to most of the wildlife watching places and some zoos without it. For the rest all my transport (bar 2 days) is fully booked, so Greyhound will have a new loyal costumer for 2 weeks. I have looked up every schedule between cities and within cities to see what is possible. Traveling between major cities seems relatively straightforward on paper at least . I noticed that there is a clear difference between cities, with some like Atlanta having a pretty good and quick public transport system, whereas others are just bad. I guess that is what you get when you have a relatively de-centralised country, as in western Europe most major cities offer a similar coverage of public transport, that continues 24 hours in larger places.

I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts on American zoos, as you have seen a wealth of European collections and are ready to make the big leap across the pond. Hopefully some of the big U.S. zoos live up to expectations and it will be intriguing to find out what you think of the country as a whole. When inside American zoos you won't find many walk-through exhibits, or even be able to go inside many elephant barns, or see loads of dogs on leashes...but whatever happens I hope that you are safe and enjoy your trip.

I am indeed also looking forward to seeing the country itself. The US has had a large cultural influence (movies...) in the Netherlands, but I think that in terms of mentality and culture there will still be huge differences, which will be interesting to see.

I don't have a driver's license, and still made good progress on my multiple trips to the states, even in the national parks. I was able to reach all but one of the zoos by public transport, but not the Columbus Zoo, so I actually had to use a taxi. I only came to Fossil Rim with a few people from the Dallas Zoo, and I could only reach White Oak by car with a friend. But, in general, the rail system in particular is a disaster. It's a little better on the east coast, but in the west - for God's sake. Still everything worked out, but a lot of people in the USA couldn't believe that I was traveling through the States alone without a car.

Kudos to you. I won't be attempting to reach national parks or out of the way places like Fossil Rim by public transport. The vast majority of collections I will visit will be (reasonably) downtown, which are the places where public transport is best. I think there is only one city where I will have to use uber or another rideshare.

Yes - in fact that is largely why me trip to California fell through

I indeed hope the Angry Orange won't start a nuclear war before (or after...) my trip, that would kind of suck.

Georgia Aquarium ? Let me guess ? Whale Sharks ? They were the same reason for me to visit that place, but in knowledge of much better aquariums in the States, GA is , with the exception of the Ocean Voyager Exihibt, a big dissapointment.

I have heard from multiple people now that Ocean Voyager is amazing and the rest of the aquarium a bit of a letdown, but that is fine, I will visit multiple other aquariums on this trip, but Whale sharks just sound like something you have to see . Apart from the sharks it is also really convenient to start in Atlanta as there are 4 flights per day from Amsterdam to Atlanta.

If you're looking for cheaper places to eat in California, @lintworm, I would suggest frequenting Mexican restaurants and taco trucks, along with casual Asian restaurants. Our cheap-fare Chinese food is very heavy and syrupy and may not taste as good to a European; Thai, Vietnamese, and ramen are better options, and all can be had for $15 a meal. Keep in mind that if you're staying in San Francisco at all, food will be more expensive there.

I will keep that in mind. As I have a nut/peanut allergy Asian food can be tricky and I have heard horror stories of restaurants in the US that refuse to serve people with allergies because they were afraid of lawsuits... I will be using mostly Airbnbs and cooking there is often possible fortunately.

 

[Great Argus]

I will keep that in mind. As I have a nut/peanut allergy Asian food can be tricky and I have heard horror stories of restaurants in the US that refuse to serve people with allergies because they were afraid of lawsuits... I will be using mostly Airbnbs and cooking there is often possible fortunately.

Mexican food is essentially nut-free, that would likely be a pretty safe option once you're in the southwest. Most chain restaurants have dishes with peanuts marked on the menu, at least that I've noticed. There's been enough issue with peanuts in particular that it seems to be becoming standard.

 

[Zooplantman]

I meant that in general. Almost everywhere there is only fast food, although often much better than in Europe, and if you want better quality food, you have to pay significantly more money for it. But if you travel through the USA as a zoo fan, you have to pay attention to the travel budget.

Nonsense. There are numerous excellent small, reasonably priced quality restaurants in most cities. But it does take time to locate them and they may add to the transportation complexities.

 

[Zooplantman]

re: hiring a car. As noted in my first post, I will rent a car for about 10 days (in two locations in total), it is reasonably impossible to get to most of the wildlife watching places and some zoos without it. For the rest all my transport (bar 2 days) is fully booked, so Greyhound will have a new loyal costumer for 2 weeks

Look into trains as well. I recently traveled from NYC to Montreal via train. Very long trip but Inexpensive and I got to see so much along the way.

 

[Zooplantman]

As I have a nut/peanut allergy Asian food can be tricky and I have heard horror stories of restaurants in the US that refuse to serve people with allergies because they were afraid of lawsuits... I will be using mostly Airbnbs and cooking there is often possible fortunately.

America is obsessed with food allergies. You will see signs in many restaurants declaring that nuts may be used in their products (many food for take away is labeled like that as well). In many restaurants the server will ask you "Are there any allergies we should know about?" Of course those are higher end restaurants
Start searching here: Find Restaurants | AllergyEats

 

[Bib Fortuna]

Nonsense. There are numerous excellent small, reasonably priced quality restaurants in most cities. But it does take time to locate them and they may add to the transportation complexities.

I know that. But as you wrote, it took time to find them, and from my expierence, it depends on the region. Unfortuantely, I had to eat for time or money reasons mostly in a Fast Food restaurant-not Mc Donalds or Burger King, some of the better chains-especially at the West coast.

But In New York, it wasn't difficult to find pricy restaurants with good food..

 

[Bib Fortuna]

I have heard from multiple people now that Ocean Voyager is amazing and the rest of the aquarium a bit of a letdown, but that is fine, I will visit multiple other aquariums on this trip, but Whale sharks just sound like something you have to see . Apart from the sharks it is also really convenient to start in Atlanta as there are 4 flights per day from Amsterdam to Atlanta.

Yeah, the Whale Sharks are defintely a Must-See-in your-life Species, and I'm very pleased they are doing so very well at the GA since 12 and 13 years in this really amazing exhibit. What other Aquariums you will visit ? My favourite Aquarium in the States is the National Aquarium Baltimore.Monterey Aquarium is a phantastic place, too.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Public transport is pretty bad across the US, but I have found a way to work with what is there and I will be using the available trains and buses most of the time, with only renting a car for about 10 days.

One of the things I love about visiting Europe is the ease of train travel, which is sorely lacking in my country.

I noticed that there is a clear difference between cities, with some like Atlanta having a pretty good and quick public transport system, whereas others are just bad. I guess that is what you get when you have a relatively de-centralised country, as in western Europe most major cities offer a similar coverage of public transport, that continues 24 hours in larger places.

The funny thing is, until the 1920s to 1940s the western USA had a much more comprehensive public transport system, with significantly more bus and rail routes available.... but then many of the transit companies involved were bought out by petrochemical and automobile companies and wound down in order to replace them with new freeways.

And if that sounds slightly familiar, a fictionalised version of this was featured as a minor plot point in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

 

[Arizona Docent]

It is disappointing that a couple people (but thankfully not Lintworm) are stating they refuse to visit our country because of the current sitting president. In spite of what you think of him (and I don't like him either) we are still a democracy, not a dictatorship, and when it comes to everyday life of normal citizens and visitors there is no noticeable difference in life when presidents change. (The one exception was during the government shutdown a year ago when national parks were closed, but that is not happening this year as the new budget has passed).

The tourism industry supports a lot of jobs for a lot of regular people. Why would you punish those people just because you don't like the current president? I also have a feeling (though I can't say it is necessarily true of the two people who posted) that some ZooChatters who would refuse to visit democratic USA because they don't like the president would have no problem visiting communist China. I would not have a problem either because the opening up of China to tourists I think has a direct link to the relative (emphasis on relative) more freedom and prosperity they have after opening up than before. Likewise the United States will become even more isolated and more antagonistic towards the outside world if people from the outside world stop visiting us and prevent the free flow of ideas.

 

[ThylacineAlive]

I know that. But as you wrote, it took time to find them, and from my expierence, it depends on the region. Unfortuantely, I had to eat for time or money reasons mostly in a Fast Food restaurant-not Mc Donalds or Burger King, some of the better chains-especially at the West coast.

But In New York, it wasn't difficult to find pricy restaurants with good food..

Well yeah, you were in New York City You can't take one of the most expensive cities on the planet and apply that to a continent-sized country

Obviously when you're traveling it's easier to find fast food than good local joints. That's not just true for America, though. On both of my European trips it's mainly fast food and sometimes pricey restaurants that fill the train station and highway rest stop stores The real good and inexpensive places are almost always a bit trickier to find, but they definitely exist. In my hometown there are multiple sandwich shops and diners that are all better and cheaper than the local fast food spots.

As for Georgia Aquarium, I couldn't agree with you more. Ocean Voyager is probably in my top 10 exhibits I've ever seen, but everything else is just so... meh. Tennessee Aquarium on the other hand!

~Thylo

 

[Arizona Docent]

There is a television show here in USA called Diners, Dives, and Drive-Ins that focuses on unique restaurants around the country with a local flair. These are mostly low and mid priced places, not really expensive restaurants. Although I don't own a television it is sometimes on at the breakroom at work and it is entertaining if you get a chance to see it (maybe there are clips on YouTube?).

EDIT - the name is Diners, Drive-ins & Dives and yes there are a lot of clips on YouTube.

 

[Bib Fortuna]

And if that sounds slightly familiar, a fictionalised version of this was featured as a minor plot point in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

I saw the film too. I'm asking you, it's totally unrealistic. Toons that live with people, okay. But somebody buys a tram and stops working just to force people to use a feeway, nobody would come up with such an absurd idea - not even in the United States.

 

[Bib Fortuna]

It is disappointing that a couple people (but thankfully not Lintworm) are stating they refuse to visit our country because of the current sitting president. In spite of what you think of him (and I don't like him either) we are still a democracy, not a dictatorship, and when it comes to everyday life of normal citizens and visitors there is no noticeable difference in life when presidents change. (The one exception was during the government shutdown a year ago when national parks were closed, but that is not happening this year as the new budget has passed).

The tourism industry supports a lot of jobs for a lot of regular people. Why would you punish those people just because you don't like the current president? I also have a feeling (though I can't say it is necessarily true of the two people who posted) that some ZooChatters who would refuse to visit democratic USA because they don't like the president would have no problem visiting communist China. I would not have a problem either because the opening up of China to tourists I think has a direct link to the relative (emphasis on relative) more freedom and prosperity they have after opening up than before. Likewise the United States will become even more isolated and more antagonistic towards the outside world if people from the outside world stop visiting us and prevent the free flow of ideas.

I agree. Personally, I have major personal problems regarding the death penalty or the gun laws of the United States, but that didn't stop me from visiting the country several times, because I know that many of the people t there are equally critical of both. I was there when Bush was ruling, and he was pretty cursed by many of the people I spoke to. Foreign policy was not much better than Trump's, and things are not going well in Europe,too.

 

[Zooplantman]

I agree. Personally, I have major personal problems regarding the death penalty or the gun laws of the United States, but that didn't stop me from visiting the country several times, because I know that many of the people t there are equally critical of both. I was there when Bush was ruling, and he was pretty cursed by many of the people I spoke to. Foreign policy was not much better than Trump's, and things are not going well in Europe,too.

I could make a good case for avoiding just about every country as a protest against some aspect of their politics or culture that I oppose. But I will not let others dictate my life or travel in that way.
I will say, though, that anyone visiting the USA ought to consider that in many parts of the USA the gun culture is shockingly in-your-face. You will see people carrying guns openly in several states. And there are an unusual number of shootings in every major city and many smaller cities and in the countryside. As a traveler you may never encounter an unsafe moment... or you might. It is a sad fact of this country's culture.
Also race is another obsession here. If you come from a mostly homogeneous nation you may be surprised about how race consciousness pervades everything here. Depending on how people see you and what community you travel in that could affect a visit. It may be blatant or very subtle.

 

[lintworm]

Look into trains as well. I recently traveled from NYC to Montreal via train. Very long trip but Inexpensive and I got to see so much along the way.

I love train traveling and I have 18 hours on Amtrak on the schedule and I might also use the train to get from LA to San Diego...

Yeah, the Whale Sharks are defintely a Must-See-in your-life Species, and I'm very pleased they are doing so very well at the GA since 12 and 13 years in this really amazing exhibit. What other Aquariums you will visit ? My favourite Aquarium in the States is the National Aquarium Baltimore.Monterey Aquarium is a phantastic place, too.

Monterey Bay and a few others . Most Dutch zoo nerds who have been to the US declare Monterey Bay to be the best aquarium in the world and all place it over Georgia, so it has set the bar high. I figured that if I don't expect too much from the rest of Georgia Aquarium, I won't be disappointed.

It is disappointing that a couple people (but thankfully not Lintworm) are stating they refuse to visit our country because of the current sitting president. In spite of what you think of him (and I don't like him either) we are still a democracy, not a dictatorship, and when it comes to everyday life of normal citizens and visitors there is no noticeable difference in life when presidents change. (The one exception was during the government shutdown a year ago when national parks were closed, but that is not happening this year as the new budget has passed).

If I would let politics decide where I would go, I would go nowhere, I have traveled and worked in many places in Africa and as a visitor you hardly notice politics, except in discussions with locals. The exception was when I was stuck in a hotel in the middle of violent anti-government protests/riots in Ethiopia. I don't expect that to happen in the US . That said I have never met any Trump supporter in my life, basically all Americans I have personally met are nice people with quite a similar mindset to Europeans, they are just a bit loud

Also race is another obsession here. If you come from a mostly homogeneous nation you may be surprised about how race consciousness pervades everything here. Depending on how people see you and what community you travel in that could affect a visit. It may be blatant or very subtle.

That will be interesting, the town where I live currently has about 40.000 inhabitants but over a 110 nationalities (and according to an older report even 167, more than NYC). Race is not really an issue here at all, at least for a white male as me...

 

[Zooplantman]

That will be interesting, the town where I live currently has about 40.000 inhabitants but over a 110 nationalities (and according to an older report even 167, more than NYC). Race is not really an issue here at all, at least for a white male as me...

Yes I am aware that USA is not unique in this, but some visitors are shocked that their race is such an issue (on occasion) during trips to the USA. And for all the privilege we white men have there are places we visit where it becomes a liability

 

[Coelacanth18]

That said I have never met any Trump supporter in my life, basically all Americans I have personally met are nice people with quite a similar mindset to Europeans, they are just a bit loud

I think on an individual level Americans *are* kind and helpful people, and most foreign visitors I've talked to have expressed as much. Keep in mind, though, that while most American travelers abroad are not Trump supporters, many Americans at home are. Along your travels you're bound to see some MAGA hats, Trump signs and bumper stickers, etc. Personally, I like to keep my political opinions to myself until I know exactly who I'm talking to, as vitriol over politics has reached a fever pitch of tribalism in the last few years.

As for what some posters have said about crime or being safe/unsafe, I really don't think you have much to worry about. It's just like any other country: common sense, don't wear expensive clothing or jewelry, don't wander around unfamiliar and un-peopled places at night, etc. Crime is very localized in most American cities, so avoiding unsafe neighborhoods and unsafe situations takes away 90% of the risk. I lived in LA for years and can count on one hand the number of times I felt legitimately unsafe.

so Greyhound will have a new loyal costumer for 2 weeks.

Their first ever Let me know if you're still feeling loyal the first time you miss a connection because of their shoddy scheduling and refuse to refund you.

I have heard from multiple people now that Ocean Voyager is amazing and the rest of the aquarium a bit of a letdown, but that is fine, I will visit multiple other aquariums on this trip, but Whale sharks just sound like something you have to see .

I think that's a good outlook. Personally I have forgotten everything about the aquarium except for Ocean Voyager; if you walk away with nothing but memories of whale sharks and manta rays I think you got your money's worth

 

[amur leopard]

It is disappointing that a couple people (but thankfully not Lintworm) are stating they refuse to visit our country because of the current sitting president. In spite of what you think of him (and I don't like him either) we are still a democracy, not a dictatorship, and when it comes to everyday life of normal citizens and visitors there is no noticeable difference in life when presidents change. (The one exception was during the government shutdown a year ago when national parks were closed, but that is not happening this year as the new budget has passed).

The tourism industry supports a lot of jobs for a lot of regular people. Why would you punish those people just because you don't like the current president? I also have a feeling (though I can't say it is necessarily true of the two people who posted) that some ZooChatters who would refuse to visit democratic USA because they don't like the president would have no problem visiting communist China. I would not have a problem either because the opening up of China to tourists I think has a direct link to the relative (emphasis on relative) more freedom and prosperity they have after opening up than before. Likewise the United States will become even more isolated and more antagonistic towards the outside world if people from the outside world stop visiting us and prevent the free flow of ideas.

I understand this and the current president was certainly not the only reason for not going - there were some other monetary considerations and feasibility was restricted in some cases. It wasn't me who refused to go because of the president, it was my parents. However, for obvious reasons, I cannot make the trip without them and so I was stuck. However, most of my friends aren't averse to him enough to refuse to go because of him so I'll just go with them in a few years and hope the public transport has gotten better. Having said that Amtrak seemed like a viable option and I think maybe even if I were to go to Omaha as well I would probably take the train as well due to the beautiful route through the Sierra Nevada and Rockies that it offers.

Like you, I do not like the 'Angry Orange'. However, I certainly was not the one to call off the trip because of him (would never have done that, my magnetic attraction to SDZ is too high )

 

[(Adsa)]

I saw the film too. I'm asking you, it's totally unrealistic. Toons that live with people, okay. But somebody buys a tram and stops working just to force people to use a feeway, nobody would come up with such an absurd idea - not even in the United States.

This is false their was something very similar that happened called the General Motors streetcar conspiracy in which General Motors invested In streetcar companies for the sole purpose of effectively shutting them down.

 

[MRJ]

I saw the film too. I'm asking you, it's totally unrealistic. Toons that live with people, okay. But somebody buys a tram and stops working just to force people to use a feeway, nobody would come up with such an absurd idea - not even in the United States.

It does appear to be somewhat of an urban legend, however there is some basis to the story:
General Motors streetcar conspiracy - Wikipedia