Life in Ink and Footsteps

In the middle of the madness—men, parties, beaches, and work—I had one more vacation week left. And since I was too broke for any big trips, I gladly accepted an offer from my host mom to stay in their summer house in Connecticut. They even let me take the car, which was a wonderful gesture, and I made full use of it that week.

The house was comfortable and remote, nestled in the middle of nowhere, with no neighbors or stores around. Looking back, it was actually my first solo travel experience, and I loved it—mostly. The first two nights were a little scary, to be honest. But I quickly adjusted and fully embraced the privacy, the alone time, and the silence. I had a whole week to myself, a car, and a safe base from which to start all my adventures.

So, I traveled. Every day, I took a trip to a new destination. The first few days, I stayed around the local towns, enjoying the change of pace from Long Island. I’d grab a box of donuts and a massive black coffee each morning, fueling up for the day ahead. Some of my local favorites included Gillette Castle and Mystic Aquarium.

But I ventured farther too. One day, I drove to Salem and Boston. While Boston left me uninterested, Salem mesmerized me. The city’s witchy vibe was magical. I visited the Salem Witch Museum, strolled around town, soaking in the atmosphere and enjoying all the quirky tourist traps. It was, hands down, the coolest town I visited in the USA. Yes, I said it, and I stand by it. It reminded me of Hogsmeade from Harry Potter—a magical town full of things you don’t need, but are happy to buy anyway. Boston, on the other hand, didn’t quite click. Maybe it was the insane traffic, the pricey parking, the mix of old and new architecture that didn’t quite flow—or maybe I was just tired after Salem. Who knows? Maybe I’ll give it another try someday, with a guide or at least more energy. Perhaps when America has a decent president, so it doesn’t feel so intimidating to go there as a woman alone.

I took one more trip that week, missing the outdoors, and the Catskills were practically around the corner. I wanted to try hiking, something beginner-friendly and, preferably, bear-free. Not that I’m as afraid of bears as I am of men, but still. So, I picked a trail to a waterfall—a supposedly easy, family-friendly hike with no wild animals. And they were right! I made it, didn’t die, and had a great time. The place was beautiful, and in the middle of this magnificent forest stood Kaaterskill Falls. I wandered around, enjoyed the view, and finally sat down to enjoy a snack from the store. Meal prepping wasn’t on my radar back then, and I always wondered where my money went. Who am I kidding? I still wonder. I nearly got a parking ticket since the parking lot was packed, so I just left my car on the roadside like everyone else. When I returned, I spotted a cop handing out tickets. Luckily, he hadn’t reached my car yet, so I jumped in and drove away. I was giddy with excitement—not only had I enjoyed a beautiful morning, but I’d dodged a ticket too!

In my exuberant mood, I didn’t pay much attention to my speed. The road was wide and empty, and the sun was shining. Indie music played as I cruised through the mountains, fully enjoying the scenic drive. Then, of course, I got pulled over. First of all, speed limits in New York State can be ridiculously low. Second of all, the roads there are so much smoother than back home. Not that this is an excuse, I know, I know. And yes, I saw the irony. One thing I’ve learned, though: if you’re pulled over by a male cop, play dumb. I’m sorry to all the good policemen (and men in general), but it’s true. Too many men want a damsel in distress—it’s borderline psychotic. This guy was no different. As soon as he saw I hadn’t stolen the car and had all the paperwork, his whole demeanor changed. So I played the overly-excited, clueless European girl, thrilled to explore “the greatest country in the world.” He gave me restaurant recommendations and, with a self-assured smile, reminded me to follow the law before wishing me a wonderful day.

For the second time that day, I avoided a ticket. Just a note: this doesn’t mean American policemen are any different from those elsewhere. I’ve done this in several countries—not only in Europe but in Africa as well. My most ridiculous experience was in the Czech Republic, where I got pulled over three times in one day because of a broken headlight. I played dumb each time and didn’t get a ticket once. That evening, I finally asked my dad to fix it.

All in all, it was an awesome vacation. Sure, my blood sugar was probably through the roof with the amount of donuts I ate. I even felt like one by the end of the week. But I spent the whole time alone, cooking, shopping, and traveling. Nobody told me what to do or where to go. I just chilled at the pool when I didn’t feel like going anywhere and built jigsaw puzzles. That week, I realized I could do it—go out on my own, without anyone else. And it was liberating.

This is definitely one of my favorite bands to listen to while driving. So it feels fitting.
Of Monsters and Men – Eleanor Rigby