Yesterday I arrived in Florida, USA. I have never been here before. My only prior experience of America is four days in New York City – which is markedly different to the rest of “typical” America.
However, a lot of my friends, people I admire, authors (which takes in the last two categories, actually!) and favourite TV show other than Doctor Who are/is American. So I’ve picked up stuff over the last few years, and on the (extended because we were lost) drive from the airport to the hotel, I made a list of places I recognised, and from where. Here it is!
Chili’s – The Office
Publix – Paper Towns by John Green
Chipotle – Hayley G Hoover, who else?
7/11 – we used to have them in England too
Arby’s – just the name
IHOP – not sure, but my friend Lauren likes it here
Home Depot – Daxflame video and Michael Buckley
Denny’s – Buck again
Target – Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle. But, y’know, everyone knows Tarshay, right?
Forever21 – Jocy’s mentioned it I think
Olive Garden – my friend Lisa eats here sometimes. Also MJ’s mentioned it.
Waffle House – Let It Snow again
Wendy’s – generic
Taco Bell – I’m at the Pizza Hut… xD
SunTrust Building – a location in Paper Towns (#nospoilers). But didn’t see the Asparagus!
That’s it so far. But in an hour’s drive, that’s quite a lot I think. It’s interesting what sinks in to the subconscious, and the little bits of Americana you recognise from the media, like huge ads for realtors and personal injury lawyers. I’m not saying culture is just restaurants and a building, it’s just what I’ve seen so far. I’ll be wandering around later on today and learning more. Hope anyone reading enjoyed my little insight!
P.s. There should be a snatched photo of the SunTrust building below this line.
Keep blogging. It’s amazing to read 😀 I regret so much not blogging every day whilst I was away. And feel free to bring me back every single branch of Forever21 that you see 😀 xxx