Wren’s Letter From America:

Discombobulated in Connecticut!

Even by my Little Wandering Wren standards that was quite some week:

Bangkok —> Tokyo —> New York —> Connecticut —> Hong Kong —> Bangkok

I think I should rename myself BIG Wandering Wren before someone calls me a liar as well as a fool! Here is my letter from America to share more of my worldwide wanderings.

Every time I travel, I learn something about myself. This had been a diverse mix of countries in a short period of time. I’m pretty much ok with the cultural differences, it was fun going from the reserved, orderly, calm personalities of Tokyo, to the warm, witty ‘have a nice day’ American approach to life.

But boy, oh boy, I do not cope that well out of my culinary comfort zone! I always expect to fair better in America than I do, food is my biggest challenge traveling in the States.   In Japan, I craved the familiar. I arrived in America expecting to find this but ended up in search of anything healthy with a skinny cappuccino on the side.

Oh, how I wish I was more adventurous!

I have always wanted to see Fall in New England and any escape from my Sweaty Betty Asian living is always welcome. But…

I had dashed from Japan to the USA for a family funeral. No time to pack. My brother and I rendezvous at JFK airport. I’ve been on the go for twenty-two hours, he arrives from Britain with a black winter coat for me. I’m all set.

Fall is renowned as one of the best, read most colourful, times to visit New England and although we are sad to be there in such circumstances, we are soon charmed by the region’s peaceful loveliness.

It is a gorgeous corner of the world with cute weatherboard houses, rolling countryside, and lakeside delights, all in an easy-ish two-hour drive from New York City. I love the cool temperature, the fresh air, and being able to converse easily with everyone I meet.

Wandering Wren

My journey was long, eventful and I am a woman on a mission.

I need a coffee thanks to being discombobulated in transit at the none-too-efficient Detroit Airport.

Discombobulated at Relax!

I learned this word from the manicurist called something like Paradise, Angel, or Destiny in the Airports ‘Relax’ beauty salon. Haha, I expect everyone needs to head to Relax after Detroit’s Immigration.

I missed my flight after a series of unfortunate events, but mostly because the lady at the Immigration desk stamped my passport, smiled, and told me to hurry through…

Which in my mind means to run like the clappers if you want to stand any chance of getting your connecting flight. I was delayed twice by beefy men in bulletproof vests and large guns with “Halt! Who goes there?” heartless expressions.

Clearly, I looked very suss, and my bag makes the flight to New York without me.

Paradise, born in Detriot, the second most violent big city in America, sniffs her way through my treatment. But she endeared herself to me by explaining that she is discombobulated on account of her allergies. I was impressed, I figured she was a woman of many hidden talents and I have been loving using ‘discombobulated’ myself ever since.

Road-side dining

On our way to Connecticut, we stop off at a roadside diner I forget where exactly, maybe Brewster MA or Danbury? We have limited choice, as my brother who is not used to driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, nor in a prestige, white BMW 5 series car (it’s a long story but if we manage to score a wedding invite after the funeral we will be better prepared…) is looking only for stops on the right, for ease of exit.

Of course, every restaurant appearing half-decent means crossing the main dual carriageway and taking a U-turn.

We daren’t…

Eventually, we pull into a diner with a ghost at the door. A promising sign saying Spiced Pumpkin Coffee beckons. Inside, we step back to an era where plastic Formica tables were all the rage. There is a coffee percolator that looks like it has been on the go since World War 2. In fact, you almost expect Olivia Newton-John to jump out and start signing Summer Lovin’.

Or perhaps we have arrived in a different movie? Certainly, it’s a horror movie. ‘Yes, coffee please’! Spiced pumpkin coffee we learn is only served at weekends.

A man wheels in a lady in a wheelchair. He offers her a sip of coke through a plastic straw, kisses her on the head, then wheels her out. It is a sad sort of a town, the coffee is beyond terrible.

Am I a coffee Snob?

I know I come from Australia home of a decent coffee but it’s a sobering thought when I realise that following years of Melbourne living, I’ve become complete, utter, and was that, a foolish, coffee snob?

Sorry, but even Bangkok, home of the Butterfly Pea Tea can master a better cappuccino. I’m aghast. Didn’t Starbucks originate the world’s journey into a decent frothy coffee?

They say that:

“Travel makes a wise man better but a fool worse.” Thomas Fuller

Oh well, not to worry, it’s only a coffee. 

A wander in Litchfield, Conn.

A wander around the pretty town of Litchfield’s brings more cheer, as we admire the enormous effort of Fall decorations. Bright orange pumpkins abound, front doors adorned with floral wreaths, we even found the odd ghost and scary character sitting on the rocking chairs on the porch, all ready for Halloween.

It’s so wonderfully well, American and I love it!

The houses are pretty but I can’t help thinking about the open plan yards, very few places have fences. How does anyone keep their dogs in their gardens or more to the point the bears (I kid you not) out of the garden?

Hmmm, I suppose the American dogs are better trained than our Aussie Crazy Poodle, or perhaps if he knew a bear was on the prowl he wouldn’t venture too far!

The yellow school buses add yet more colour and I grin as I can’t help feeling as if I’m back on a movie set. I’m not really sure whether this is quintessential America, but it will certainly do.

And it was a wow moment seeing the street telephone wires above ground, I had a momentary flashback to my Bangkok living. Why did I imagine everything would be more high-tech? Then I am reminded how rural the country living is…

It has been four years since my last visit to America, a lot has changed, yet some things are no different. Just look at these placemats at breakfast. I smiled at the comment on my Little Wren Facebook page, “good job I have a big plate” 

Fall in New England

The 2018 Fall colours are less vibrant than usual and predicted for a later fall foliage on account of a hotter summer. The red tree leaves have already fallen and the orange foliage is yet to burst into life. 

The lake brings back memories of my time as a Camp Counselor in Vermont. A time of tippy tests and canoe breakfasts, camping and s’mores around the campfire, and my favourite camp song The Happy Wanderer of course:

‘I love to go a-wandering along the mountain track,

and as I go I love to sing, my knapsack on my back!’

Lake Waramaug

We only had one day for a drive around the impressive houses along Lake Waramaug. It seems that Connecticut has become is an outer suburb of New York. There is some serious money, farms, and lakeside cottages to admire.

Perfect pumpkins at Averill Farm

Averill Farm at Washington Depot high in the Litchfield rolling hills was a delightful find. Their pumpkin display was pretty awesome. Oh how I wish I could have taken some of these curly blighters home, the size of some of them is impressive.

Averill Farm was started in 1846, so no wonder they now have an impressive 1800 apple, pear, and quince trees. The farm is popular as a pick your own destination and we got to try apple cider donuts.  The farm shop is tempting It’s quite a business along with jams, honey, and local maple syrup.

What a shame there is no coffee on offer! Oh well, if you can’t beat ’em join ’em. Yes please pass me a cider and another apple cider donut, please.

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