Today I had a chance to witness, probably for the first time in my life, an American neighborhood, a combination of houses, streets that circle around a community, a school, a chapel, nice yards, people who smile and greet you… A big American flag at the yard. Cars that are HUGE (or “YUGE”, like D. Trump would say).

It really gets clear that America – especially here in the “Far West”, is built on cars, and driveways. The whole society pretty much. The transportation is: CARS, and often big ones. There’s practically no buses, no trains, no trams, no… whatsoever. But the highways are well made, it’s easy to get around, gas stations are around – and the price of the oil is cheap, compared to many other parts of the world at least (even after the oil prices have peaked).

It’s though interesting that the inflation starts hitting the society here also. “Lauri, the price of eggs used to always be 3$, but for somehow it has peaked up to 8$ now. I don’t know what’s going on, but prices are rising.”

It was fascinating to see the local elementary school – and the total difference to the Chinese schools. I’m walking there with Lumi at 5pm – and the yard is fully empty. Nobody there. No classes. No nothing. Do the Americans also quit the school before 5pm? Probably. In Finland there’s nobody studying as late as 5pm.

But there was also another important reason: today is the MLK Day, commemorating and honoring the former Pastor, Martin Luther King Jr., “I have a dream”, who touched Americans beyond the racial lines. Utah is the MOST WHITE state in the whole USA – but the school gives everybody a day off during MLK Day. Interesting…

Behind the school there’s a chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here you can see it everywhere. It’s the main Church – and the one that settled Utah, plus much of the broader Far West, including Idaho, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Wyoming, and many parts of Eastern Washington, Oregon and California. It creates a strong family oriented culture in the suburbs – and an interesting view in the local gas station: NO ALCOHOL beyond this point, and needs to be over 21 to enter the room. However another point seems to be same both in LA, Utah, as allover the US I guess – there’s sweet, soft, salty, greasy, and flavory fast food to eat everywhere. And tons of it! That’s part of the “American freedom”, I guess – you can choose to eat it, or not. Not everybody is big as people would think. Utah actually seems to be one of the healthiest states in the whole US. Cardiac arrests, strokes, stomach issues, and so on are some of least in the whole US. Also, very interestingly, the state has very little divorces compared to the other US, or other Western countries. Those whose marriages are sealed in the local church temple, have an 8-time lesser chance to get divorced, than average Americans. 8 times, that is also “yuge”. Coming from a family who had a most challenging divorce – which followed me in my life until last years – I find Utah very interesting and appealing place. (And you can feel it here already, how families and children are cherished and clearly supported strongly.) But the journey has only started, and there’s much more to discover here – and in many places in the US.

I’ll keep sharing my thoughts and insights from the society, culture and some real-life experiences. I believe many of us don’t really understand and grasp the essence of being American – or the cultural flavors and differences between its many regions. Whether it’s an individual looking for a new life, a family moving in, an entrepreneur looking for new opportunities – anybody aspiring to be part of the “American Dream”, or cooperate with the Americans, regardless where you’re coming from, I believe it is essentially important to understand the very different layers of the society here.

I admit, that I’m only at the very start of it, but the only way to do it – like with China – is to come here, go there, see it yourself, witness it yourself, be yourself part of it, regardless of the viewpoint or entrance point, but observing and living it may well be the best way… Let’s see though. I’m happy about this investment, time, and financially wise, I believe it’ll give a multiple return, with the increased understanding – and answers that may follow in the upcoming 100 days.

And yes, I’m not here for good – at least yet. This is a “fact-finding mission”, and the idea is to understand and live the life of “American” here, as much as possible – and then come back to the actual base, which is still in the beautiful and cultural West Lake. We’ve bought our home in Hangzhou, my enterprise is there, most of our projects are there – the life is there. But in these times, you can’t be fully dependent only one thing, one place, you can’t have all your eggs in one basket. Also, it is clear that the future of our globe, let it be fighting the climate change, our spiritual emptiness, wars and nuclear threats, global hunger issues and political challenges, are all often connected to either China – or the USA. Or very often the relations between the two. It well may be even more important in the future to understand these two. And then create your own strategy in the umbrella of the moves, actions, deals and directions that these two global leaders set. As I’ve gained much more understanding on the Asian part of this G2 “Chimerican” partnership, it is not such a bad idea at all to spend some time here too. Besides, many of our partners have pointed out in the past months: heads up, Europe’s and Finland’s relationship with the USA are getting even more important in the upcoming years and months. The call has been taken, the feedback heard, the mission is clear. If we play this well and right, I believe we can all influence in making a much brighter, happier, calmer and more sustainable globe for all of us.

It should be a mission actually for all of us.

While others talk about it, I think it’s important to do action – and to really do things. Now it’s the right time. 100 days in USA is a good start, for family, personally – for business and projects. China can wait a few weeks. Especially now, when country is still recovering from the health shock of covid 19, and preparing for the New Year. But I believe in the late Spring and Summer the country is booming again – and many delegations, visits, and projects are even more on-going then. And if all goes according to the plan, the end of 2023 will be the most active in several years. It’s good to get well prepared for that too.

Warm regards from the very center of the “Far West”, the regional hub of American life and from one of its influential local and federal cultures.

P.S. We got really well here yesterday. Flight was nice and good – and the airport was SO clear and clean. A total contradiction from many of the places in LA. Utah clearly is clean and fresh. All went well. And great to visit our friends from Hangzhou Ivy and Antonio, who have such a lovely family, and interesting Sino-American story behind them. We’re learning a lot…