July 21, 2024: HAN > LAX

“How could I possibly bear an almost 20-hour flight?” 

“How should I communicate with foreigners?”

“Would they understand what I am going to say?”

“I couldn’t imagine what my two weeks would be like?”

,…

These thoughts clouded my mind ever since I got on the plane, and realized that I was about to embark on a dream I had nurtured since childhood.

 

As a kid, I was obsessed with Disney and Cartoon Network. I remember waking up at 5 AM just to catch the latest episode of Sofia the First. I could watch Disney movies all day without getting bored. Watching American movies on HBO, I fell in love with the country’s iconic landscapes like the Statue of Liberty, Hollywood, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

My dream did become a reality. Los Angeles was my first destination. The connecting flights from Hanoi to Tokyo and then to Los Angeles were exhausting, but the moment I stepped out into the LA sunshine, it was all worth it. We spent six days in LA, followed by three days each in Boston and New York. Those six days in LA were a dream come true. Everything I’d seen in movies was right there in front of me.

 

Day 1: We arrived in the afternoon, exhausted from the flight. We decided to rest and recharge for the next few days. The time difference meant my online classes in Vietnam were now at midnight or early morning, which was challenging.

 

Day 2: Santa Monica and UCLA

 

Santa Monica was just as I had imagined it. The scenery, the vibe, the color of the sky, the sparkling of the sea, the souvenir shops, and the restaurants’ decorations – it all walked me back to those old movies I used to be obsessed with. I loved how my mom bore the sunny weather there: she was like a ninja with her mask, hat and sunglasses on all the time, even when taking pictures. I enjoyed every single moment of mine holding the camera, feeling more than excited to capture all the scenes.

 

UCLA – my first uni tour.

We took a self-guided tour to UCLA. I vividly remember every single moment walking through the Bruin Walk, taking pictures with the school’s symbol, wandering around the store, buying merchandise. I was impressed by the automatic sanitary pad machine, which wasn’t common in my country. I thought it was a great way to normalize periods and support women. The tennis court was so peaceful, and I felt calm just sitting there watching people.

 

Day 3: Loyola Marymount University and Chinatown

 

I took my second campus tour at Loyola Marymount University. We woke up quite early to arrive on time, as we heard that being late is considered disrespectful in the US. The campus was vast and visually stunning, with numerous buildings that our campus guides introduced and explained in detail. However, despite the comprehensive tour, I found myself feeling disconnected with Loyola. Surprisingly, it was the only university I visited that didn’t resonate with me.

 

Given the length of the tour, my family decided to Uber to Chinatown for lunch. Contrary to my expectation of a bustling, crowded area, Chinatown was surprisingly quiet, with only a few people. Nevertheless, it was a charming place, and we enjoyed the lunch. We then returned to the hotel to rest and relax. 

 

Day 4: Pomona College and Chapman University

Pomona College was one of the most picturesque places that I’ve been to. Its beauty and healing atmosphere were indescribable. The gentle breeze, warm sunshine, and lush greenery left a lasting impression. The natural scents of wood evoked a sense of nostalgia.

Chapman University –  we did have a nice bowl of Pho in Orange County. The university itself was equally impressive, showcasing the inherent beauty of many US universities.

 

Day 5: USC and Hollywood

USC was fantastic. The campus was lovely, and I was particularly impressed by its bookstore, which offered a wide range of products, from food and drinks to clothing, books, notebooks, and more.  I actually got the nicest hoodie and t-shirt of all time. Overall, it was my dream school if I had to say. 

Hollywood was a dream come true. We got on a tour to every famous destination in Hollywood: The Beverly Hills, Harry Potter movie set, The Witch House, … Seeing the Hollywood Sign from a distance was a surreal experience. I couldn’t recall all the places we visited, but the five days in LA felt like a dream. I appreciated all the moments and experiences I got – I was so blessed as I got there with my family, who were always by my side and supported me whenever they could and within their abilities. 

 

Day 6: We flew to Boston – our next stop.

Boston was giving the sense of familiarity, perhaps because of the movie scenes I watched as a child.

 

Day 1 in Boston: Nothing more but rest.

 

Day 2 in Boston: Boston University and New England Aquarium

We took a self-guided tour of Boston University, exploring the campus since the school didn’t allow visitors inside the buildings that day. I found the campus interesting, as it was scattered along the streets with numerous impressive buildings. After that, we decided to book an Uber to New England Aquarium, which was a nice place located near the harbor. I enjoyed the aquarium so overall, it was worth the ride. 

 

Last day in Boston: Boston College and Harvard University

I absolutely adored the architecture of both schools. Boston College felt like a castle with all those old buildings lying around. Boston College resembled a castle with its historic buildings. Harvard University was under construction at the time, so we only visited the famous campus yard before returning to the hotel to pack for our flight to New York.

Traveling to so many different places in just two weeks was exhausting but ultimately rewarding.

 

Day 10: New York

New York felt like a larger-scale version of Hanoi. The humidity, heat, smell, and overall vibe reminded me of my beloved hometown. While New York was a vibrant, bustling city, I also found moments of tranquility in certain areas.

 

Day 1 in New York: ChinaTown, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Wall Street

I enjoyed the food in Chinatown, particularly at a restaurant whose name I couldn’t remember. We explored the city, admiring the Brooklyn Bridge from afar. My dad had always been into Wall Street, he loved it so much that when we came there, the conversation was mainly about its popularity, greatness, and talented people working in Wall Street. He did take plenty of pictures with the Charging Bull and even purchased a miniature bull statue as a souvenir.

 

Day 2 in New York: Times Square, the MET, Central Park and Staten Island Ferry

As our last day in New York, we made the most of it. I was disappointed to know the MET closed, but Times Square was lively and exciting. I got Wingstop – a bit salty. We went to Disney and bought some presents for our family at home. We wandered around Times Square and Uber back to the hotel before heading to our last destination – Staten Island Ferry. I felt fortunate because we went on their tour in the late afternoon so we got to see the sunset, the city’s magnificent buildings and the sparkling of the ocean. We got a nice hot pot meal before going to the airport the next day.

Day 3: Home sweet home.

 

I felt grateful for this opportunity, as I said, I felt appreciated for each experience I gained and feeling I had. I was too blessed to be stressed about those trivial things around me (that was just the motivation I said to myself haha). This trip indeed motivated me to pursue my dreams, special thanks to my family, who were always by my side, the US Embassy because I could not have been to the US without their visa permission, and AMVNX for their sincere support all the way back from Vietnam to the US. 

 

I will be sharing another post about the things I disliked about the three cities I visited. Stay tuned!!