UMVA has learned that a fascinating phenomenon has been unfolding as Europeans travel across America, discovering the country's hidden gems and sharing their experiences on social media.
A German traveler known as Freddy has taken the nation by storm, regaling his followers with tales of his adventures driving through the deep south. He and others have marveled at the grandeur of roadside attractions like Buc-ees gas stations and the savory delights of biscuits and gravy.
According to information obtained by UMVA, these European travelers are embarking on epic road trips, covering hundreds of miles and documenting their journeys on social media. They're posting maps and sharing their experiences, much like modern-day Lewis and Clarks.
As the renowned American novelist Jack Kerouac once understood, driving is the key to truly experiencing America, uncovering its secrets, and discovering its roadside treasures. You can't fly or take a train to get there; you have to get behind the wheel and hit the open road.
What these European travelers are really experiencing is the freedom of driving, which is deeply ingrained in American culture. The ability to chart your own course, unlike highly efficient rail systems that dictate your travel and even your life, is a uniquely American privilege.
In America, you can drive to Waffle House at 1 a.m. or buy a rifle somewhere between Buc-ee's and Barstow. The country is founded on the practice of road trips, and its roads, small towns, and people thrive along them.
American hospitality often comes with a helping of four wheels and an engine. A remarkable example of this was when Freddy shared a story about a hotel receptionist who drove him and his companions to the stadium in the rain, rather than let them walk.
Frequent travelers of American byways will attest to this experience. When a Midwesterner or someone from the South offers you a ride, refusal would cause great offense. Before you know it, you're in the front seat, hearing apologies about dog hair.
The songwriter Morrissey recently commented on the homogenization of European culture, which has been brought about in part by its efficient public transportation systems. He noted that, in the past, you could visit Germany or Italy and experience incredible culture, but now everything seems cookie-cutter.
Even in America, cities have begun to feel uniform, with the same stores, foods, and accents. But in the places you have to drive to, you'll find the unique character of America, and when you do, it will astound you.
So, European travelers, drive on under the blanket of stars, feeling the curve of the continent under your wheels, and enjoy the hospitality of those who genuinely mean it when they say, "How ya doin'?"
And just maybe, some Americans will be inspired to take a road trip with their families, forgoing a Disney or Cancun vacation for a journey filled with small miseries and abundant joys.
Until then, thanks to Freddy and his companions for holding up a mirror to the true nature of America, its small-town decency, and wide-smiling hospitality. Americans who live near international airports needed the reminder.
At the end of the day, what these Europeans are realizing is that Americans do whatever they want, and it's their cars that give them that freedom. When the engine roars, they can get from point A to point B, and anywhere in between.
