I first published this post in the middle of July, 2020. The President of the United States was tweeting hateful rhetoric every day.  People were fighting for equal treatment for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals and groups who were being attacked. Scientists were begging people to stop spreading misinformation and to listen to medical professionals.  I told myself I couldn’t travel to the United States of America until things improved.

Things did improve, for a few years, although I didn’t return.  Then, in 2024, something that was unbelievable to me happened: the people of the United States once again elected Donald Trump to be their president.  Only by this point in time Trump had been convicted of 34 counts of fraud, was found liable for the sexual assault of E. Jean Carroll, and had aligned himself with maniacal billionaires intent on enriching themselves at any cost.

I updated this post in January 2025, when my feelings hadn’t changed. And today, in January 2026, I know that my next trip to the USA will be at least three more years away (sorry World Cup!).