Romantic Autumn
I arrived just as autumn was beginning—a first for me. The leaves transformed beautifully into shades of yellow, brown, and even red. It felt romantic and stunning, bringing a fresh atmosphere that warmed my heart. Since it was autumn, the weather wasn’t too cold yet, though the breeze had started to pick up. It was the perfect chance to wear coats, boots, and thick scarves—trendy yet functional. What a delight!
Walking through Central Park in New York, the scene of yellowing and browning leaves gave off a classy, timeless vibe, as if I had stepped into an old movie. But one unforgettable moment was crossing the iconic bridge featured in The Avengers. A slow but firm breeze played with the hem of my coat. I hugged myself to fend off the growing chill. Another gentle gust brushed my face, lightly tossing my bangs. The cool air seeped in slowly, from my skin to my heart… and wow, it left me feeling so unexpectedly emotional. Why did it feel so romantic? I couldn’t help but laugh at myself for wanting a hug!
Daylight Saving Time: Turning the Clock Ahead by 60 Minutes
Wait, what? Moving the clock forward by an hour? Wouldn’t that make you late?! Haha, here’s how it works: It’s called Daylight Saving Time, a practice where clocks are adjusted to make the most of daylight during certain seasons. In the U.S. (and Europe), where there are four distinct seasons, this adjustment happens in spring and summer when the days are longer. To enjoy more daylight (or as my friend jokingly says, “stock up on Vitamin D until you’re sunburnt”), work, school, and other activities start earlier. After finishing the day’s activities, people can still enjoy the sunlight.
Daylight Saving Time happens twice a year—usually in late March and late October or early November (when clocks are turned back). The exact timing depends on local zones, so you’ll need to check with local authorities. The change officially happens at 2 a.m., which is also the responsibility of the Ministry of Transportation.
When I was in New York, everyone kept reminding me about Daylight Saving Time. Notices were posted everywhere—lobbies, elevators, and even public restrooms! The night before, I manually adjusted my watch to avoid any morning surprises. Thankfully, phones update automatically. What an experience! I never knew time could be “agreed upon” and adjusted like this!
Seeing “Ghosts” Everywhere
Oh, I mean I was in the U.S. during Halloween! People roamed around in all kinds of fun costumes—skeletons, pirates, devils, and more. They went all out, even with creepy face makeup, casually dining at restaurants or riding the subway in full spooky attire. It was my first time experiencing Halloween, and it was thrilling! Sadly, I didn’t join in on the “Trick or Treat” tradition… well, because I’m no longer a kid. Haha!
Chased by a Ghost at the Hotel
Haha, this one’s different from Halloween—it was a real ghost story. I stayed at an old three-star hotel, and strange things happened. The bathroom lights flickered at night, the water heater kept switching from hot to cold, and the dresser drawers opened by themselves no matter how many times I closed them. You can read the full story in my article Chased by a Ghost in America. Looking back now, it’s hilarious and thrilling, but at the time, my heart was racing in fear. What an unforgettable experience!
Walking and Crossing Streets Without Horns Blaring
One time, I was crossing a street and noticed a car approaching, so I hurried across, pulling my friend Ima along. She scolded me, saying, “This isn’t Jakarta! Pedestrians are respected here. No need to rush; they’ll wait.”
“But what if they’re impatient?” I asked.
“They’ll wait. If they honk at pedestrians, they’ll get criticized by others.”
She was right! Every time someone walked, crossed, or came near a car, pedestrians were always given priority. Once, I stopped at an intersection to let a car pass, but it stopped instead, signaling me to cross. This happened repeatedly—drivers would wait. For the first time, I felt truly respected as a pedestrian. It was such a peaceful and enjoyable feeling to walk without worrying about aggressive drivers. I wonder when our country might adopt such a culture. It felt so calming to walk in silence, free from traffic noise.
Dining with Oversized Portions
My diet plan? Total failure here! 😂 Every time I ordered food, the portions were massive—even when I deliberately chose the smallest size. It must have to do with body size differences. We Asians tend to be petite, while they’re generally bigger, so their meal portions match their size.
One time, I couldn’t bear to let food go to waste, so I packed it to go. A single meal there could last me two servings—dinner and breakfast—just by reheating it in the hotel microwave. Seriously, it’s not about saving money; the portions are just that large!
I particularly enjoyed Chinese and Vietnamese food here—large portions at affordable prices, with flavors that remind me of Indonesian food. But of course, nothing beats Nasi Padang! 😂 Too bad there’s no Nasi Padang or meatball soup here. (What did I expect—Pasar Baru?!) When I got bored, I’d go for Nando’s. Their chicken has an Asian-style taste and has been a favorite since my trips to Australia and New Zealand. I’d order two portions, and it would be enough to feed three people!
Lining Up for Apple Products in New York
For the first time, I bought an Apple product directly from an Apple Store in the U.S.! 😄 The store was open 24 hours, and the queue was insane! It took at least an hour just to pay. At the time, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus had just launched, and excitement was through the roof.
My friend, who works in NYC, offered to have her staff buy the phone for me to skip the line. But nope—I wanted the experience of queuing at the iconic Apple Store in the U.S. It was late—around 9 PM—but I still went inside, browsed the products, and joined the line. Throughout the long wait, I heard people speaking in various languages. It was so exciting and truly multicultural!
The Buzz of Democracy: U.S. Election Fever
I happened to be in the U.S. during their presidential election. On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, Americans voted between Trump and Clinton—a fierce battle. My friend Aisha, who was hosting me, was visibly anxious about the election. She wasn’t alone; even strangers I met at Central Park expressed their nervousness. Many people were worried, each for their own reasons.
I was invited by a university to watch the live vote counting. I thought it was so cool to witness this historic event! Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling well that evening, so I decided to stay in my hotel room.
The next morning at breakfast, I was shocked. The atmosphere at the hotel felt like a funeral—people were hugging, crying, and comforting each other. Trump had won! I was in Maryland at the time, a Clinton stronghold, so the locals were heartbroken. It felt like the entire city was in mourning.
The mood was completely different when I later met a group of Trump supporters from another state who were on vacation. They were ecstatic. The contrast between the two groups—one devastated and the other overjoyed—was striking.
Experiencing Protests in the U.S.
Back home in Jakarta, hearing the word “protest” gives me chills. I imagine traffic jams, chaos, and (knock on wood) riots. I still remember being stuck in a demonstration in 1998 and walking 17 kilometers home. My feet were dead tired. Talk about trauma! 😂
But protests in the U.S.? Totally different. The two protests I witnessed were well-organized.
The first was at Times Square in New York before the election. It was loud and crowded, but Times Square is always noisy, so it didn’t feel much different. Police were everywhere, but I thought it was just the usual weekend crowd. Turns out, I was wrong—it was a protest! I only realized it after sitting for two hours eating the most expensive street rice I’d ever bought.
The second protest was in Washington, D.C., after Trump was elected. Protesters marched around the massive White House complex, shouting slogans and waving banners. Occasionally, someone would stop to take pictures with onlookers. Yep, even here, people love a good photo op!
These were just some of my experiences during my trip to the U.S. It was fun and memorable. If I had visited at a different time, I wouldn’t have had these unique moments. Whether lucky or not is all about perspective. Some might find my stories ordinary, while others might think they’re extraordinary.
Whatever the case, I hope you have a lucky and smooth day ahead. Keep going! 😊