I’m trying to share a meal (or a coffee or a tea) with a new friend in all 50 states. Ideally with people who don’t see the world the way I do.
I’d love to go all Barbara Ehrenreich on the Bible Belt, but since I don’t have that kind of time, or money, or conviction that I’m ready to quit my mainstream life and hit the road, one thing I can do is enjoy a meal and hopefully, some respectful discourse, with new friends… Because even if we disagree about everything else, we can all agree that at some point, we gotta eat.
If you have suggestions of places to go or people to meet, I would love to hear them! Please write to citizenkerry@gmail.com
Here are some places I’ve been so far.
arizona: i met the famous and smart AZSpot in arizona!
california: 7 ways to hate LA
hawaii reminds me that american history is nuts
indiana: where i learned to love the indy 500 and where being a foodie is never ridiculous
kentucky derby is decadent and depraved.
maine: I finally get why it’s cult-y
mall of america: i went mallwalking
mcdonald’s oatmeal: i’m liking it
michigan: detroit is like paris after the war
tennessee: i love tennessee for the reasons most people love italy. and i went to graceland!!!
new jersey: rampfest! my first rodeo! and i tried (but not very hard) to like atlantic city
new york city: so much to love
ohio: go there, it’s cool
pittsburgh: could not find a place to get a manicure
red lobster: it’s totally fine (try the cheddar biscuits!)
rhode island: i learned the truth about it
seattle: cultural differences between it and the rest of the country
utah: what a place!
vermont: i will never take maple syrup for granted again
baltimore: all crabs, no crime [don’t read this; it’s lame]
bed, bath & beyond: deluding myself into enjoying it
I also got to know some of my fellow Americans:
sarah palin: i found reasons to admire her
glenn beck: i gave him a shot
pearl the mime: i hope you get lucky in the subway and spot this lady!
an american indian took the time to have a great conversation with me
my friend was a member of ffa (future farmers of america)
a conservative friend explained that it’s not easy being red
