To start, I want to say that I didn't intend to go to America this summer at all. I was there last year, I traveled through 40 states on Greyhound, I heard a lot of talk about the financial crisis, about the pointlessness of participating this year, and so on. But as it often happens, I decided to go against everyone. I decided to prove to myself and others that you can earn money, get unforgettable impressions, be happy, be sad again and again... And that it primarily depends on the person, rather than on the circumstances.

By nature, I am a risk-taker, very impatient, and prone to crazy adventures. I love spontaneity! I hate plans! I am for an interesting and bright life. Therefore, going to America for the second time sounded a bit boring; I couldn't afford to climb Everest twice. But it happened...

It happened. And I even dragged my friends along, even people I barely knew at the time—it was only later that our relationships went through fire, water, and brass pipes. In general, I was going to the States for money, but instead, I got another huge journey, a beloved girlfriend, and an unforgettable summer.

Actually, I am writing this blog for first-timers. Since experienced "Americans" already know all this, I will try to give non-standard advice to beginners, I will try to describe problematic situations and the ways I found to get out of them or didn't, and how one should have behaved.

I will pay great attention to traveling. This year I made my second trans-American 18,000-mile journey in my life. Last year it was the journey described by a "happy hobo" on Greyhound buses. But this year the geography was significantly expanded and deepened, because we had a car and we were no longer dependent on the time and routes of some bus company; we chose our path ourselves. We drove across the whole country again, visiting many national parks and cities. For those who will be traveling, it might be interesting where it is worth going, and where I would not advise, how to travel cheaply and how to have a great rest at the same time.

All in all, I set goals for myself. Now, let's go...!