Flyin' Through the States

We have arrived at Nashville, Ethan having made a full recovery. From what I’ve seen so far, the West seems to be a sort of balance between the North and South. Ethan immediately picked up a pamphlet from the ground that detailed the differences between all three regions. Somehow, I don’t believe there are many copies of it. The West, if the pamphlet is to be believed, supports free labor (Yay!), as the North does, but not for the same reasons. The West supports free labor to avoid job competition on farms from using slaves. This creates, as previously stated, a balance between the North and South. Compromise. Taking deals from two ends and making them into something that favors both ends equally. Is that not what the West is? Ideals that support both the North and South? The West is, economically, very similar to the South, in that it is mainly based off farms. However, while the South depends on Slave Labor, the West does not. While the South disapproves of tariffs, the West sup...

Ethan has been mad with worry for the whole wagon ride so far. Not that I blame him; I am extremely worried for Yenn as well. What could cause him to need us to suddenly leave as he did? And with no explanation, at that. Ethan is completely restless. I am positive that, had we had the space, he would be furiously pacing back and forth. He just went completely still. He doesn’t look too good…. Ethan got sick. He threw up on the side of the road. I have been taking care of him since he evidently cannot himself, however he is experiencing heat at a quite terrible level. I had stopped the carriage and taken out the first aid kit, using the supplies provided to attempt to bring his raging fever down.   This is but one of the many instances that could occur when traveling in such circumstances as we - a wagon pulled by horses on such a disastrous road, not created smooth, but instead filled with bumps and bends. I have faith that Ethan shall get better soon…

Ethan, Yenn, and I went to the square this morning. And, even though the South is definitely more rural than the North, it is possible to discern that industrialization has hit it. For example, the steel plow that Yenn and I used yesterday. It was developed by John Deere in 1804 - within the Industrial Revolution in America. The steel plow is a huge improvement from the iron one. The steel plow didn’t allow soil to stick to the blade, allowing it to break through tough soil quicker and more efficiently than the iron plow did. This is simply one of the many industrializations that have been made, and I am positive that more are to come. Ethan dragged me to a corner restaurant, with Yenn trailing behind us. I could feel his amusement at Ethan’s childish behavior rolling off him in waves. I shook off the fluttering in my stomach that arose at his touch and allowed myself to be dragged along with a smile. We headed back to Yenn’s house after we ate. Yenn said he had some paperwork to ...

Ethan’s friend, Yenn, is a 20 year old farm owner who has graciously accepted Ethan and I into his home. He was out farming when we arrived, and though Ethan went straight inside the beautiful farm house that Yenn lived in, I went out back, grabbed a spare steel plow, and immediately went to work beside Yenn. To say he was surprised would be an understatement. However, I thought it only fair that, since he would be allowing us under his roof, it would only be right to help him in his farming. It soon became apparent that Yenn was someone worth talking to. He wasn’t someone who looked down on women empowerment - which I support full heartedly - but rather encouraged it whenever he could. He didn’t look at us with scorn, thinking we were helpless maidens; instead he appreciated the strength and skills that women could provide to the world. He also wasn’t afraid to say his opinions out loud, and defend them fiercely. That was a man I could strongly appreciate. While we were working, ...

We’re in Savannah, Georgia, and it is currently nightfall. I am stunned at how different Savannah is from New York City! Whereas NYC was busy and had the hustle and bustle of a city, Georgia is more calm and has a sense of agriculture. Which makes sense, considering that it’s in the South, which is mostly, if not completely, agriculturally structured. Ethan and I are staying at the same hotel for the night. Different rooms, though. I do not know why that was important of me to mention...but, as this is ink, it is done. I shall not ruin the page by crossing it out. Ethan said that he has a close friend of his who owns a farm. Even though their opinions differ on the country’s needs, they still remain close friends. Isn’t that sweet? We are going to be staying with them from tomorrow until we travel West, which I believe we will only stay here for 2 days. I, at least. I am not sure about Ethan’s wishes. Why do I find myself longing for his company? I hardly know him...and yet… I ...

Ethan and I are going down the Erie Canal by flatboat today! We plan on traveling from here in NYC to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We are going with a couple other boatmen who are bringing produce down to Philadelphia as well. Both of us have one suitcase each with our most valuable possessions, as well as the main essentials such as clothing, food, a first aid kit, etc. ~ 30 Minutes Later ~ And we’re off! We are actually on the Erie Canal. The Erie Canal. The canal that completely altered economy in America. It has opened many more trading routes. It allowed farmers from the south to ship their goods up here in New York. it instantly became a success and created an extremely important link between the East and the West. ~ 30 Minutes Later ~ We have been on this boat for about an hour now, and Ethan and I have perhaps played 5 variants of I Spy until he gave up from losing 10-0 every time. Ha. He’s in the corner reading a book that he got from the market, and I’m sitting acro...

Ah. That was a productive writing session. Ethan and I had eaten dinner at the waterfall in the style of a picnic. As I was eating, I was jotting down ideas for my piece. I bid a farewell to Ethan once we got back to the hotel, almost ran up the stairs to my room, and immediately started composing. Three hours later, my first masterpiece created in America was complete. It is a clarinet-piano duet called “Breathing the Waterfall” . It captures the gentleness of the mist in the form of a legato andante, and then switches to a marcato march style to capture the rushing water. Then it goes to a legato lullaby to end with the sunset--which we saw last night, as well. Again, absolutely breathtaking. I have planned that, since Ethan has to take care of a few details in light of his decision to travel alongside me, I would go out and talk to a couple locals to discern their thoughts on the new America. Ethan informed me that he wouldn’t be available until either tonight or tomorrow morning...