Wanna cros 'Murrica.

[Usual Crypty 4,696]

My dear equines.

 

I'm bored as hell in my town.

So I want to travel States from coast to coast. Yes, on da bus or train, not on da pony. With breaks in most notable cities.

 

What's better, train or bus? Who has similar experience? Any advice? Any troubles? How expensive could it be?

 

To let you know, I'm alien from Planet Russia. So if there's things obvious for you they still could be interesting for me.

 

Edited January 12, 2016 by Crypty Script

[PiratePony 8,475]

Trains can be very expensive, unfortunately because they are a lot of fun. Some hop on-off Amtrak passes exist for students who want to do what you're doing. Buses would probably be cheaper but have less exciting views...but would also be quicker. All said, driving yourself wouldn't be bad either if you could purchase while visiting another country...are you just visiting or living here now?

Edited January 12, 2016 by PiratePony

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Never heard of this "murrica" you speak of, but the way you describe your trip sounds similar to the United States of America. If that is your destination, then speaking as an East Coast man and keeping with your desire to visit the less obvious tourist traps, I have several destinations in mind.

 

In my home state of Pennsylvania there is Linvilla Orchards, the Amish communities in Lancaster, Gettysburg or Valley Forge for some history on the battles of our Civil and Revolutionary wars respectively.

 

If the city is more your deal, there is always Philadelphia, colloquially known as Philly. There you can find Liberty Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed, Reading Terminal Market which is like a city bazaar, of course Geno's and Pat's rival cheesesteak eateries. (Patronage to which is a kind of local joke "who's side are you on?")

 

To neighboring state New Jersey, there is Long Beach Island not to be confused with Long Island in New York. L.B.I. is a nice little collection of towns that are very out of the way and kind of frozen in time.

 

Just my little slice of my beloved home.

Edited January 12, 2016 by Steel Accord

[PiratePony 8,475]

Never heard of this "murrica" you speak of, but the way you describe your trip sounds similar to the United States of America.

 

Thanks I was meaning to say that too. Being insulting is not a good way to get on the locals side.

 

I love Lancaster and Philly myself too.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Thanks I was meaning to say that too. Being insulting is not a good way to get on the locals side.

 

I love Lancaster and Philly myself too.

 

I don't think the OP was being malicious, I think that's just an unfortunately widespread joke on the internet.

[simba86 1,541]

a bus will take you more places, passenger trains are almost a thing of the past and they have a very limited number of places they go and they cost A LOT

you'd do better to maybe a rent a car and drive yourself because i wouldn't want to be crammed in a bus for 2000 miles LOL

the big red woods in california are nice, and there is a HUGE meteor crator in arizona, you have to see the grand canyon in arizona also

and be prepaired for a culture shock because "murica" is not like russia

Edited January 12, 2016 by simba86

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@, 

 

 

and be prepaired for a culture shock because "murica" is not like russia

 

 

Not in a bad way though for the most part. Just that it's almost on the other side of the globe, there's bound to be major cultural differences from Mother Russia. That being said there are communities in Maryland, New York, and Illinois that are chiefly consisted of Russian Americans, so you might be able to find a taste of home if you are so inclined.

Edited January 12, 2016 by Steel Accord

[Usual Crypty 4,696]

Never heard of this "murrica" you speak of

 

 

Being insulting is not a good way to get on the locals side.

 

Sorry, guys. I just try to use slang to seem more native in speech. Some my American friends are using this term.

So be careful! Everything you are writing and speaking can become part of some changeling's speech.

 

Thank you for your opinion, guys.

 

Main purpose of this trip is cultural exchange - training my English and meeting people. And maybe I'll visit some brony convention.

Also I have to calculate budget. Any suggestions where I can check true prices for tickets?

Edited January 12, 2016 by Crypty Script

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Sorry, guys. I just try to use slang to seem more native in speech. Some my American friends are using this term.

So be careful! Everything you are writing and speaking can become part of some changeling.

 

Thank you for your opinion, guys.

 

Main purpose of this trip is cultural exchange - training my English and meeting people. And maybe I'll visit some brony convention.

Also I have to calculate budget. Any suggestions where I can check true prices for tickets?

 

Just as I thought. The term originates as derision toward the slurred (and thus low brow neanderthal) pronunciation of "America" rather than the country's true name of the United States, or just "the States" for short. Your use of it is not entirely incorrect, although when natives use it, it's usually negatively self-effacing either to them personally or a demographic of the nation they consider unintelligent.

 

I would suggest priceline.com, they are typically good with tickets and such. Might I say I'm honored as a citizen to receive a friendly visitor to my beloved home and consider this your unofficial welcome, pre-arrival. I can't guarantee everyone you meet will be friendly, but I can say from experience as a fellow world traveler and cultural ambassador, there are more good people than assholes here.

 

(That goes the same for most of the world, I can say as a well traveled person. I've been to Greece, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Germany, Italy, and more.)

Edited January 12, 2016 by Steel Accord

[PiratePony 8,475]

Sorry, guys. I just try to use slang to seem more native in speech. Some my American friends are using this term.

So be careful! Everything you are writing and speaking can become part of some changeling's speech.

 

Thank you for your opinion, guys.

 

Main purpose of this trip is cultural exchange - training my English and meeting people. And maybe I'll visit some brony convention.

Also I have to calculate budget. Any suggestions where I can check true prices for tickets?

For buses, the largest national company is Greyhound.

for trains, the only national service is Amtrak. Howeveinsome major metro areas, like here in NY, they have commuter trains to surrounding cities. As well as competing bus service.

 

If you have access, car will probably beif not the cheapest route (probably close to greyhound though), it's the one with the most freedom.

Plus remember, in America you can always find a party.

you know the rest

[Usual Crypty 4,696]

Sweet!

 

What about communication? What is the cheapest GSM operator for traveling? What operators there are at all? Of course with Internet access.

In Russia using of SIM card registered in one region becomes more expensive in another. Is such practice in USA?

Edited January 12, 2016 by Crypty Script

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Sweet!

 

What about communication? What is the cheapest GSM operator for traveling? What operators there are at all? Of course with Internet access.

In Russia using of SIM card registered in one region becomes more expensive in another. Is such practice in USA?

 

I'm not a telecommunications expert, but that's not a practice to my knowledge. Our cell carriers typically don't charge more if you go from one state to another.

Edited January 12, 2016 by Steel Accord

[captainborgue 343]

To rent a car, you have to be at least 25 and be able to make a credit deposit, on top of the rental fees and fuel costs. Long run it would work out to be about as much as a bus, only with a bus, you don't have to worry about local traffic laws. A lot, I mean a LOT, of small towns that sit along major routes will dramatically lower the speed limit over the course of a block or two in order to issue citations to drivers, a practice known as a "speed trap", and that's only the tip of the iceberg. Some places ban certain levels of window tint, some prohibit radio noise if it can be heard outside the vehicle, and then there's navigation- your GPS may say to turn on such and such street, but that doesn't mean you will actually be able to, or even if you can see that street to begin with.

 

Honestly, a bus would be your easiest option, and would be about the cheapest, too. If you want to do some sightseeing, pick a route that travels through a particular city you want to visit, or instead of planning your route from one coast to the other, do multiple short trips- one city to the next- to give you some time to explore. It will be a bit more expensive that way, but overall more enjoyable.

[Usual Crypty 4,696]

Thanks, @@captainborgue. It's really valuable information.

Actually I have no goal to across States from sea to sea. I just wanna visit several places. Some of them Maryland (Cuz Bronicon) and California (Cuz wanna visit Silicon Valley) which are on opposite coasts absolutely accidentally.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Thanks, @@captainborgue. It's really valuable information.

Actually I have no goal to across States from sea to sea. I just wanna visit several places. Some of them Maryland (Cuz Bronicon) and California (Cuz wanna visit Silicon Valley) which are on opposite coasts absolutely accidentally.

 

Why Silicon Valley in particular?

[El Duderino 879]

This guy rode a train across the US for $213. 

http://dereklow.co/across-the-usa-by-train-for-just-213/

Trains are more expensive UNLESS you do your research and plan it out in advance. Personally, when I travel, I drive a car most of the time. That's more expensive though. 

[Usual Crypty 4,696]

@@Steel Accord, cuz I'm IT engineer and history of IT industry is interesting for me.

 

@@El Duderino, Wow! Thanks. Amazing article and amazing blog.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Steel Accord, cuz I'm IT engineer and history of IT industry is interesting for me.

 

@@El Duderino, Wow! Thanks. Amazing article and amazing blog.

 

Ah, I see. Well good on you wanting to know about the history of your profession. Still if cultural exchange was also another priority, there are better places to visit on the West Coast besides Silicon Valley.

[Usual Crypty 4,696]

@@Steel Accord, well, what would you recommend me?

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Steel Accord, well, what would you recommend me?

 

On the West Coast and California/San Francisco in particular? Well there are many places one could go. The cable car museum dedicated to San Fran's signature mode of public transportation, the iconic Golden Gate bridge and across from it the beautiful Muir woods home to the giant Red Wood trees, the Japanese Tea Garden and original Chinatown representing the cultural influence and ancestral roots of Japanese and Chinese Americans, the more humble fisherman's wharf rooted in the city's fishing industry and the frequent resting place for residents, tourists, and upwards to hundreds of adorable seals, lastly the city itself might just be an attraction unto itself as the roads dip almost like the tipping points of roller coasters.

 

If you're willing/able to drive or bus out of the state, there's of course the breathtaking Grand Canyon and the local Havasupai nation reservation. (Along with the famous "sky walk" a bridge with a thick glass transparent floor hanging over the Grand Canyon itself.)

 

I'm sure a local could tell you more but that's a good overview. 

Edited January 14, 2016 by Steel Accord

[Usual Crypty 4,696]

Thank you, @@Steel Accord. It's good review indeed. I'll take a note.