I spent the summer of 2014 in the USA. It was my second trip, and it was just as deep in emotion and full of new discoveries as the first. During the Moscow winter, it's especially nice to look back on that summer, scroll through photos, and break into a huge smile at the slightest mention of my summer adventures. That's exactly why I want to share this with you, guys)

Looking ahead, I want to say that this summer I became even more patient, organized, and confident. But let's take things in order.

Since I kept in touch with my American employer from 2013, I preferred to save time and decided to go back to the same place. I worked as a housekeeper at a small Inn two blocks from the Atlantic coast in Spring Lake, New Jersey. The job came with perks like free food and incredibly pleasant guests (read: good tips and nice chatting), but there was a fly in the ointment. In my case, it was my boss. I tried so desperately to build a connection with a lonely fifty-year-old woman whose life goal was her work that I didn't notice how this ambitious lady started taking advantage of me. Before I knew it, I was tied up with overtime hours and a narrow social circle limited to guests, rotating staff, and my boss. But it wouldn't be right for me to complain; thankfully, I had access to the beach in my free time, as well as pay and bonuses that suited me just fine. Leisure wasn't a major issue for me, as Spring Lake is a tiny town where the only entertainment is the beach and insanely expensive restaurants. Which, actually, saved me from unnecessary spending, something I'm very happy about given the fall of the ruble) I definitely didn't lack communication with decent people. On the contrary, I made a ton of pleasant acquaintances! I still keep in touch with some of them, and I cherish that very much.

To make a long story short, I finished working at the end of August and packed my bags for California. A year ago, I met a wonderful girl named Natasha who worked in Colorado; we had a great time in Washington, saw Niagara Falls, managed to lose my camera with all the photos at the end of the trip, and by some miracle found it in the M&M's store. But this summer, I couldn't find a travel buddy, so I went on my own. I think that was one of the main factors that made this trip so vivid. Because the tone for my entire solo journey was set by the wonderful people I was lucky enough to meet.

Over three months, I made friends from Croatia, Thailand, France, India, the Virgin Islands, Italy, South Africa, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Spain, and I'm sure I've forgotten someone! Yes, of course, I am thrilled with California, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon. But I am incredibly grateful to every single person I met this summer, thanks to whom I still can't stop smiling when I remember my summer of 2014. #travel #USA #summer2014