What is it about travel? The excitement associated with adventure? The expectation of a new escapade? Whatever the motivation, travel is something we all should experience.

This summer, I spent my days exploring the forest landscape of Pennsylvania. The first thing I

noticed was the architecture. Old brick houses dominated the neighborhoods. Buildings of significant age cast shadows onto cobblestone streets lined with greenery. It’s a rare sight to see if you haven’t ventured out of California’s state lines.

Traveling to New York City was a different story. New York; the streets were packed and the people were bustling. Upon entrance into the city, I truly learned the inspiration behind the word ‘skyscraper’. Apart from the occasional wretched smell and the constant diving and dodging through crowds, the city was magnificent. Endless museums and parks to explore, and different parts of town inspired by different cultures.

Being confined to the safety net of home for the past years of my life, I was shocked to learn that what I knew as ‘American Culture’ would better be defined as ‘San Diego’ culture. Just 3,000 miles creates different people and different definitions of normal.

Normal in San Diego County is nice weather year round (except for the irregular heat wave), rush hour on I-5, and the occasional earthquake every now and again. While in New Jersey, I came to realize this wasn’t the case. Sure the unpredictable rain and the secluded highways caught me by surprise, but it was the mentality regarding earthquakes that really shocked me. Breaking news in Jersey on August 14 was all about a 2.5 magnitude earthquake that hit Bernardsville and shook some residents awake. They couldn’t stop rambling about how scary and intimidating it was; one resident even claiming he thought his bed was going to go flying through the window. I wasn’t even aware 2.5 earthquakes were noticeable, much less able to cause the shifting of furniture.
Traveling to different parts of the United States was quite a learning experience, one I recommend to all. It is fascinating to explore how people and cultures differ throughout locations in the country. It allows you to realize that there are so many different people to meet, so many places to see, and so much more to learn. The discoveries are endless, one just has to start the adventure to find them.