Almost exactly one year later Sarah and I went back to the USA. We both decided to go back in June 2015 as this was the most suitable time for both of us! I was counting the days until we finally left Switzerland/Germany for the US. My first stop was Sarah’s house because we took off from Germany. I was really excited to get to know her family because I only saw them on Skype when we were doing our volunteer service. The next day Sarah’s father and her brother took us to the airport in Frankfurt. We were both so excited and happy to go back. Our plane left with a delay which was terrified for us as we had a connection flight in London to catch! In the end we had 15 minutes left to change planes. Luckily there was a woman who picked us up and took us to the plane.
Seven hours later we landed in Boston, MA! It took us hours to get through the whole security and stuff. The ‘new’ volunteers from Tobias picked us up and together we drove to the Community in New Hampshire. It was such a good feeling to be back again although we couldn’t really realize it. It was pretty late when we arrived at Tobias Community so all we did was taking a shower and moving our stuff in our room. The next morning (Sunday) we said hello to the residents, which was just heartwarming. I almost cried I was so happy to see all of them again. They were happy too and most of them recognized Sarah and me which was just amazing! Later we went out with Dusti, a coworker, and Fadime, one of the ‘new’ volunteers. It was SO MUCH FUN! She took us to the outlet center, then we went for sushi. Afterwards we visited another coworker, Tonya, who just got her baby and in the evening we went to the movie theater with two other volunteers (Pitch Perfect 2).
On Monday we went for coffee with Cynthia, another coworker. We had a superb time when we were volunteering. She was like our american mom 😉 In the afternoon Sarah and me drove to Boston for just strolling through the city and the park. Unfortunately the weather was not that good as we wished it was. It was raining the whole day but we didn’t let the rain ruin our day in Boston. We had a good time! We went to Harvard University, to the Boston Public Garden, to the shopping streets, to the prudential center and last but not least we had a GREAT dinner at the one and only Cheesecake Factory!
On Tuesday Sarah and me spent some time with the residents and said hello to Bertam, the supervisor of Tobias. He was also really happy to see us and was very welcoming! In the afternoon we went for a coffee and to the mall as New Hampshire is the only state of the USA which is tax-free 😉 In the evening we went over to the Orion House, where Tonya was doing her overnight with cute Isabella (her baby girl). We ate chinese food together and enjoyed being together again!
As time FLIES (!!) we had to leave Tobias Community on Wednesday morning, which was kinda heartbreaking AGAIN! I wished we could have stayed there forever! I love the residents! Fadime took us to the bus station in Nashua where we took the bus to Boston.
In Boston we took the bus to NYC, which took us 5 hours (TRAFFIC was HORRIBLE!!). When we arrived in NYC we were so tired. We moved our stuff into the room, which we rented over ‘airbnb’ and went directly to Times Square and later for dinner to Whole Foods at Columbus Circle. The nights in this apartment were horrible because it was sooooo loud. I mean of course it’s the city that never sleeps but it was really loud. The next day, it was my 21st birthday! I was so excited to finally turn 21 and happy that I could spend my (big) day with Sarah in the USA! We went to Soho, 5th ave, Central Park, Times Square etc. In the evening we went out for dinner right in a restaurant at Central Park. It was DELICIOUS! After our fabulous dinner we went to a Sky room bar (roof top bar) where the view was absolutely AMAZING! You could see whole Manhattan including the Empire State Building. So as you can imagine my birthday was pretty much amazing! Thank you Sarah ❤
Columbus Circle 21st birthday in NYC 😉
The next day we were off to the JFK airport! CALIFORNIA was calling! It took us approximately 6 hours to LAX. When we finally arrived in Los Angeles we had to take a shuttle bus to the car rental center where we picked up “our” car! Within a short drive we arrived at ‘our’ house in Venice Beach, which we also again rented over ‘airbnb’. We had a private room and bathroom and a shared kitchen. The house was typical american and looked amazing! The host lady was very kind and helpful in every way. We also had another roommate. First there was a girl from San Francisco for like two nights and then there was one from South Africa.
We did a lot of things in California. If I list everything it’ll probably end in a huge post. So I’d better just share a few pictures with y’all!
Venice Beach Hollywood Hills
UCLA campus Universal Studios, Hollywood
Santa Monica Pier hiking @ Runyoncanyon Park
La Jolla – cove @ San Diego Zoo
car selife with Sarah & Jonathan 🙂 drinks with these guys in Hollywood 😉
As you see we had an amazing time in our second home country! We enjoyed every single second and we are sad to be back in Europe again. Time went by way too fast and there is still so much left to do! I’d do anything to go back soon!
America, for me, has been the pursuit and catching of happiness!