Chapter 1 : Onboard

Lena and Michael, both 25 and 26 years old, have recently graduated from business school in France. They have decided to take a gap year and embark on a year-long trip to the United States. Lena plans to share their journey on her vlog, where they will document their experiences and offer travel tips and recommendations. They will begin their trip in New York City before traveling to various destinations across the country.

"Hey everyone! It's Lena, and I'm so excited to share some news with you all today. Michael and I have just finished our business schools here in France, and we've decided to take a gap year and travel to the United States!

We've been dreaming of this adventure for so long, and we can't wait to explore all the different cities and landscapes that America has to offer. We'll be starting in New York City, where we plan to spend a few months immersing ourselves in the culture and exploring everything that the Big Apple has to offer.

From there, we'll be hitting the road and traveling across the country, stopping at all the must-see destinations like the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. We're also really excited to explore some of the lesser-known spots that might not be as well-known to tourists.

We plan to document our entire trip on my vlog, so you'll be able to come along with us every step of the way. We'll be sharing our experiences, recommendations, and tips for traveling on a budget, so make sure to subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss a thing!

We know that this trip is going to be a huge adventure for us, and we can't wait to share it with you all. Thanks for watching, and we'll see you on the road!"

Lena drifted off to sleep, her mind filled with excitement and anticipation for the journey ahead. As she lay in bed, she dreamed of all the places she and Michael would visit, the people they would meet, food they would eat, and the memories they would create. She imagined herself standing in front of the iconic landmarks of New York City, exploring the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon, and indulging in the famous cuisine of New Orleans. In her dreams, Lena was free to experience all the wonders of America, and she couldn't wait to wake up and begin her adventure in the morning.

The next morning, at the airport, Lena was still filming. She turns the camera towards her mom, who looks anxious and worried :

Lena: "Hey guys, it's Lena and I'm here at the airport with my mom and Michael, getting ready to embark on our big adventure to the United States. Mom, you look a little stressed. Are you okay?"

Mom: "Oh Lena, I'm just so worried about you going to America. You know they have such bad habits and junkfood over there. I don't want you to get sick or gain weight."

Lena: "Mom, I understand your concern, but we won't be over-indulging in the local cuisine. We plan to taste everything, but we'll also be staying moderate and making healthy choices as much as possible."

Michael: "Yeah, we want to try some of the classic American foods, but we'll also be making sure we're getting plenty of exercise"

Mom: "I just want you both to be safe. Make sure you keep in touch with me and let me know how everything is going."

Lena: "Don't worry, mom. We'll be checking in with you regularly and making sure we're taking care of ourselves. We want to experience all the different flavors of America but thats doesn't mean we will indulge in food"

Mom: "Okay, I trust you. Have a safe flight and enjoy your adventure. Love you both."

Lena: "Love you too, mom. Thanks for coming to see us off."

Lena turns the camera back to herself, smiling at the camera.

Lena: "Alright guys, that's it for now. Thanks for watching and we'll see you on the other side! Remember, it's all about balance and moderation.".

As Lena and Michael made their way up the boarding ramp, they couldn't help but notice the other passengers waiting to board the plane. From a distance, it seemed that they were the thinnest people in the crowd. Most of the other travelers appeared to be clearly overweight or obeses.