Interesting View Of America

An Australian's view of America from the Appalachian Trail.

"It took me three days to get to the highest point and there are people there in cars complaining about the half a mile walk they had to make on a steady grade," he mused. "Here they are with sweat pouring off them and cans of Coke in their hands. I have never in my life seen obesity like it."

Perrett said he witnessed at least four visible changes in the American people along the way.

"Below the Mason-Dixon Line, in Pennsylvania, it's a totally different world," he said. "Then all of a sudden in New York people are talking at you, they just start asking you questions.

"It really changes again when you hit New England, the people are much more conservative, less inclined to come up and chat. In New Hampshire everyone has got time to talk to you."

But it wasn't until he crossed over into Canada that Perrett felt like he was near his own home, especially when the border officer who questioned him so vigilantly one minute offered him a ride into town the next.

"America seriously felt like four different countries," he said. "Canada is so much more laid back. Everything is a bit of a joke here and people are willing to listen instead of trying to talk over you.

"Americans told me that coming up here was essentially like being in America, but it is an amazing difference."