Guest post: What I’d want to see if I could come to America

Editor’s note:  Here in the Blogosphere, you get to meet some very nice people from all over the world, and today I’d like to introduce you to one of them, Ms. Sassy, who writes her very own blog, which is infinitely better than mine. Ms. Sassy hails from Mumbai, India, and one of the first things I noticed is her writing style, which is unfailingly effervescent and cheerful. Roamin’ Gnomials could use a little cheer, and that’s one reason I asked her to step in with a ray of sunshine by way of a guest post. Another reason is because I was too lazy to write anything myself! Now I can’t make Ms. Sassy’s dream of visiting America come true, but I can help her see what it might be like, with the help of some creative photoshopping! I’m forever in Ms. Sassy’s debt for agreeing to help me out, and also for meeting her deadline despite being sick the entire time she was writing.  Enjoy, and please don’t forget to follow her blog at https://sassandsauce.wordpress.com!

Gnoming and roaming through America

By Ms. Sassy

Perhaps the best part about blogging is making friends. But what’s even better is making gnome friends!

Ms. Sassy, somewhere in India.

I, Ms. Sassy, am happy to have befriended the gnomes, and the gnome-folk liked me so much they wanted me to join in the gnomery. That’s a lot of gnomes in one sentence! Actually, that’s A LOT of the unwieldy combination of the consonants “g” and “n” in one sentence.

Instead of writing a guest post like the dear gnomes asked me to, I went on a Google-spree, and here’s what I found out: There are just 67 words in the English language beginning with “gn.” Gneiss isn’t it? But before you gnash your teeth and navigate away, here’s another gnarly tidbit, there is such a thing as a WikiGnome. They are those sweethearts who write those oh-so-useful wiki articles and never clamour for attention. (I clamour for attention, therefore I cannot be a gnome 😦 )

And now let me stop procrastinating and get on with the real post! I’m Ms. Sassy. I live in Mumbai, India. I love books, cats, trees, the sea, cooking , reading, writing and so much more. My acquaintance with Glenn started a couple of weeks back over a blog post I’d written for my own blog. A few mails back and forth, and I had found myself a new pen friend. I happened to mention to Glenn that I have never been to the United States. All I know about America is through books and movies. That’s when Glenn thought it would be fun if I would write a post about the places I’d like to visit when/if I visit the United States.

So here’s my list of the Top 5 Places on my wish list:

1) National Parks

Ms. Sassy would love to play the role of wood elf in Sequoia National Park.

As many national parks as I can visit!  I love the fact that America has so many national parks. I also love that they are easily accessible and well-managed. Lucy Maud Montgomery says this in one of her books: “I couldn’t live where there were no trees — something vital in me would starve.” I feel exactly the same. I’d especially want to visit the Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks and pretend to be a wood-elf amongst the giant sequoia trees.

2) Alaska

Ms. Sassy would love to drive a dogsled through Alaska, but would probably just hug a husky and forget to say, “Mush!”

Something about the stark landscape and untamed forests calls out to me. Ever since I watched the Disney movie Balto, I’ve wanted to visit the place where it all happened. I want to meet a team of huskies, and say “Mush” to a dog. Knowing me though, I’d sooner cuddle and kiss the dog than let loose an authoritative “Mush!” The biggest attraction however, are the Northern Lights. (I do so wish they had a more magical name. I’d have named them Fairylights  or something.) If I had to pick one experience in the entire US of A, I’d choose the Northern Lights. They just seem sooo magical. Plus Alaska is the most sparsely populated state in America. For an introvert like me, it can’t get any better. In fact I might never want to go back!

3) The Appalachian Trail

If Ms. Sassy could hike the Appalachian Trail, she might get tired before completing all 2,200 miles!

About a year ago, I read Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods, and that’s when I decided to make the Appalachian Trail my foremost travel goal. I gave up on the idea when sanity returned and I realised that I never even walk to the next street without cribbing. Then again, Glenn wanted this to be a sort of dream list — no constraints of time or money — and I extend that to laziness. Laziness permitting, I’d love to do the Appalachian Trail!

4) The Southern States 

If she could journey to the United States, Ms. Sassy would like to visit the Old South, and ponder life as a Southern belle.

This one’s inspired by Scarlett O’Hara. I’d love to see Atlanta and Charleston and New Orleans for the architecture and history. I’m a sucker for old-world charm, and I love the fabled romance and hospitality of the South. I might even pretend to be a pretty Southern belle inveigling a handful of charming beaus. Oh the stories I could dream up!

5) Disney World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Ms. Sassy would feel right at home in Disney World or at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. She not only wants a magic wand, she NEEDS one!

For someone who grew up on Disney and grew up with Harry Potter, you can’t not have this on the list. I NEED a wand, and I wouldn’t say no to some butterbeer either.

Beyond the Top 5

I’d decided to keep the list to five, but I realise I have left out so much. If I do visit the United States, I’d also want to visit Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, also the Grand Canyon, Washington D.C., and so many other places/attractions. But the top five are the ones I would hate to miss!

Also as a big and rather picky foodie, there’s a bunch of stuff I’d love to eat. Although I could get most of this here in Mumbai, I do so want to taste the real thing!

• Salt-water taffy
• Key lime pie
• S’mores
• A complete Thanksgiving dinner
• Pumpkin pie

What else would you have me eat/visit if I were to visit America?