Imagine a place where you wake up and the sun is shining, the temperature is warm, the birds are singing just outside, and the people you encounter greet you with a smile and a “good morning.” Strangers welcome each other warmly.
When this first started happening to me, I thought I was being greeted by staff at the coffee shop, which would still be lovely. But I soon realized it was all the patrons greeting one another.
This place is America.
My initial plan as a travelling student was to do my studies while seeing more of Canada. But I kept being told to stay out of America.
Washington borders, at the time of my departure, were reportedly tough for Canadians to cross. The more warnings I received, the more determined I became to see for myself what the reality would be for a Canadian travelling south of the border.
I’ve now been through five states, and I don’t openly share that I’m Canadian unless it comes up in conversation. Other travellers, gas station attendants, folks sitting at communal tables, and campsite staff have all asked why I would go against my government’s recommendations and travel into their country.
I’ve shared pieces and versions of my adventure as it has developed, and it always results in an exchange of information and friendly folks thanking me for visiting.
Without getting too involved in politics or religion—until they bring it up—even those conversations have gone very well, even if we don’t see eye to eye. No one has forced their opinions on me. Most have gently asked for mine.
Mass generalizations are dangerous. In Canada, I hope we are returning the favour and are just as welcoming when Americans visit north of the border.
My impromptu decision to cross the border has now brought me through five states. What was meant to be a short trial trip of a few days has turned into a longer journey. I’ve felt free to explore and satisfy my curiosity.
Now, again at the point where I was meant to return to Canada, I instead find myself researching new places to travel, deeper into states I’ve never been to before.
When I’ve found myself in political debates, one thing I’ve stayed consistent in saying is also what gets every audience nodding: The most important task at any point in time is to figure out how to work with your elected officials.
Character attacks and complaints about hypotheticals are not productive.
I’m experiencing firsthand that every person who has started a conversation with me has been open, curious and friendly—even when we disagree.
I’ve learned a lot over the past few weeks—from textbooks, from podcasts, and most meaningfully, from interacting with people in places that were previously foreign to me.
The last piece I’ll share came from a podcast I was listening to while driving to Minnesota:
As humans, we are not meant to reach a point where we just stop and hold. We are meant to change, develop and grow continuously throughout our lives.
If we’re feeling stuck, even a bad plan is better than no plan, because we gain new knowledge along the way.
Coming here with no plan, I’ve learned that Americans are welcoming and helpful.
If any part of you is considering a trip south of the border, I encourage you to follow that whim.
We can all learn something from exploring—and being a little more welcoming and understanding of the fellow humans we meet along the way.
