Everyone has a different attitude toward this part of the program. Some stick to New York, some go on a cruise to the Bahamas, and some buy an all-inclusive student tour. We planned to cover as much as possible on our own (since we made it to America, we had to explore), while spending as little money as possible. For those who crave the same, I can advise only one thing: plan everything in advance. Domestic flights in the States are quite cheap, often have discounts, and you can find an airport even in a small town. Car rental companies and intercity buses also help out. But you have to remember that the main mode of transport in the USA is a personal car, and getting out of some cities can be very difficult. Think about this when choosing a place to work. And of course, travel in a group: it not only saves your budget but also adds fun to the trip.

Initially, we agreed with our employer that we would finish work on September 5th (Labor Day fell on the 4th that year; it is considered the last day of the resort season, bringing in a lot of money and requiring many hands). But our return tickets were bought for September 16th, and eleven days were clearly not enough for all our grand plans... So, first, we took a few trips in the middle of summer, and second, we quit a week early.

Our first serious trip was to Niagara Falls at the beginning of August. No organized tours, just us! Five people managed to take two days off at the same time, find incredible accommodation for one night (I'll tell you about that later), rent a car in a neighboring town, and cover eight hours of driving one way.

There were two drivers in our group – me and Sonya. This gave us the opportunity to switch as needed: I drove for four hours, she drove for four. By the way, you don't need anything other than a Russian driver's license in the States, and if you have one, definitely try getting behind the wheel in the USA. It's an incomparable feeling – highways across the entire country where cars pass you if you drive slower than 130 km/h. Perfect asphalt, incredible landscapes, infrastructure designed to make travel as comfortable as possible...

US roads will leave no one indifferent

But back to Niagara. For accommodation, we chose... a real American trailer! Yes, you can find things like that on Airbnb. Its owners decided to start the business quite recently, and we were only the third guests. Yes, right on a private plot, next to the house, yes, with all the amenities! At night, we roasted marshmallows and sausages over a fire, sang songs with a guitar, and slept as soundly and carefree as we never did during workdays.

It is in such trailers that Americans travel with their families

The delight of checking in was replaced by the delight of the waterfall. One of our friends refused to go, saying: “eight hours of driving just to stand and look at a waterfall?” – and she was very wrong. Domestic tourism is developed in America like, perhaps, nowhere else in the world. And if you have arrived at Niagara Falls, you will definitely find something to do.

Immediately after checking in, we rushed to Niagara: we arrived literally a minute before the departure of the last Maid of the Mist – the boat that sails right to the foot of the waterfalls. Luckily, it was almost empty.

His Majesty Niagara Falls. The skyscrapers on the horizon are already Canada

In the evening, the waterfall lights up with all the colors of the rainbow, and thunder from fireworks rings in the sky – no matter what summer day you arrive.

In the morning, it is better to go to the next “attraction” – Cave of the Winds. In fact, there hasn't been a cave there for a long time, but there is a century-old elevator right in the rock and wooden ramps that allow you to walk right under the icy streams of the waterfall. Believe me – it's worth it.

Raincoats and special flip-flops are included in the ticket price – but you don't think that saves you from the water, do you?

Our trip was definitely a success. Even the road was a pleasure: we listened to music and sang songs, made sandwiches for each other, and shared our impressions of America...

Our second trip was to Philadelphia for my birthday. The day before, Misha and I quit our morning jobs (goodbye, maid uniform!), took days off at the restaurant, and, happy, set off to explore the first major American city on our path. A regular bus runs there from Wildwood, and the trip takes only two hours.

Perhaps Philadelphia seemed to me the most pleasant place to live. The first capital of the USA and the fifth city in terms of population, it amazes with both skyscrapers and cozy low-rise outskirts. Greenery, water, rich cultural heritage – in short, there is something to see here.

Sunset in the city center

The oldest street in Philadelphia – the first houses appeared on it in the 1730s

We decided not to go to museums, but to walk through as many streets as possible. In my opinion, this is the best way to get to know a city: we bought fruit at a farmers' market, stumbled upon a music festival, went shopping and bought four pairs of shoes (no, not all four for me) – in short, we plunged into the bustling city life that we had become so unaccustomed to.

Girl with a peach