Well, I'm in the USA. Even after being here a week I could definitely live here, although I probably wouldn't live in Richmond. Richmond is a small city in comparison to other American cities but because of the size of the country, everything is really spread out. You can't really walk any where and due to my problem of hiring a car in the first week, I've had to balance traveling to and from the city by taxi or public transportation. This first week then, has been mainly orientating myself to the city.
Richmond is 50% black and like most inner-city areas, is poorer than the suburban regions of the country; and like Greyhound, the public transportation system in Richmond transports the poorest of society, which is mainly the city's black population. Like the staff at the Best Western, everyone I've spoken to is very friendly and in fact, very deferential when speaking to a white man. There are others though, that won't even look at you and will do their utmost to avoid you completely (I was wearing my white hoody at the time)
. You also get freaks riding the bus too,(like the alcoholics I served at Wetherspoons) and one started talking to me on Monday. Like most conversations, I usually end up listening more than I talk, and this guy talked. He recognised the accent, and so started talking about the British and the places he would like to visit. I recommended visiting London and Edinburgh. Then he started talking about his own issues - (he's probably really lonely and has know-one to talk to) - he was about to get evicted and have his wifi disconnected. He had gripes about his sister, who wouldn't lend him any money, but respected his brother-in-law, who had supported him in times of need. We finished the evening eating at Jason's Deli, where I bought him a drink and some potato chips. We talked about music and he talked to me about the time when he met Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention. He wanted my telephone number; I gave him my email address. I don't expect to hear from him anytime in the future.
In the last couple of days it has been overcast and rainy, but prior to that, the temperature and humidity have been sweltering. Now I consider myself fairly smart, and yet, even after checking what the weather was like in Richmond, didn't bring a hat, nor any sun cream with me to the States. After walking to the local Walmart in the sweltering heat - to purchase sun cream and look at the munitions cabinet - I got heatstroke after walking back, and spent a day indoors to recover. The temperature too, is not conducive for those who like walking around a city so spread out. But I've seen the State Capitol building and toured two museums already: the American Civil War and Confederacy Museums Downtown. I've also discovered a gun-range called Colonial Shooting Academy, which has excellent reviews and of course, somewhere I intend to visit during my time here. You can spend $20 for an hour's shooting and Glock pistols appear to be on sale, which I think, will be a great gift for my dad! Larby, does your dad want anything? Like most States within the union, Virginia has some of the least restrictive gun laws and in recent years, has had a huge problem with gun violence. In recent years, gun crime has significantly declined and I haven't witnessed any shootings yet!
Last Sunday, on one of my excursions Downtown, I quenched my thirst by visiting the Penny Lane Pub. I had a fandabtastic afternoon. I met Dave, an Englishman from Adlington in Northern England, and who's Argentinian wife dragged him to Harry Potter World in Florida. They were driving through Sunday night. I also met Michael, an American and fellow barman; Mash & Joe (both Brits), the barmen at the PL; P.J., a Scotsman who's now retired and lives in Virginia, and Steve & Mary-Stuart, an American couple who live and work in Richmond. As well as getting drunk, and getting beers bought for me, everyone of the group were interested in what I was doing and gave me valuable advice, regarding accommodation and politicking in Virginia. Mary-Stuart works for the Sierra Club but is also working for Donald Mceachin, who is a Democrat running for Virginia's Fourth Congressional District. P.J. is skeptical about the whole presidential election, and believes that Clinton has it in the bag already. He dismisses the media hype - who has a lot of battleground states tying, or even polling in favour of Trump. His advice to me was not to bother volunteering, but just have a good time in Richmond and try getting laid. The city does have two universities, so I'll let you know what happens....
Whilst in the UK, I couldn't properly communicate with the Hill-Dog! campaign. Therefore, planning and implementing this trip has been very impulsive - more so than I had anticipated. I did some background research into Virginian politics and found out where the campaign office was situated, so I could get involved straight away. However, like orientating myself to the city, I could not get involved in the campaign straightaway. I had to be patient with the campaign staff who I spoke to, particularly the "Organising Captain," who said would contact me and let me know when I could get involved. Nothing annoys me more when people say they're going to contact you - and then don't - even if they may have had legitimate reasons, not to. I kept on badgering the office, and spoke to Brett, who got me involved immediately. Today, I spent the day "phonebanking," which is when you call local residents (Democratic party members), and ask them if they're interested in volunteering for the campaign and who they might vote for in the election. It was a rather tedious job. Most people didn't pick up, others hung up immediately, and the few you did converse with, weren't that interested in volunteering. But it was good to finally get involved. I'm in again tomorrow and it should be a busy day.
That's it for now.
Steve.
