In Arizona I drove to the edge of the earth.The Grand Canyon.It was the first time in my life I had nothing to say.A ranger in a flat hat told me the rock at the bottom is two billion years old.I asked who this belongs to."Everyone. It's a national park."I paid thirty-five dollars. For thirty-five dollars I received two billion years of earth, a sunset that was being painted while I watched, and a parking spot.In my country the most beautiful garden belongs to the emperor.In this country the most beautiful canyon belongs to a family in matching t-shirts eating trail mix out of a Ziploc bag.They were taking a photograph. The mother said "everybody say GRAND CANYON" and they said it and it echoed and I think the canyon said it back.Thirty-five dollars. Two billion years. Everybody.This country is out of its mind and I am never leaving.
Cultural FAQs
Why are American portions and stores so large?
Car culture, bulk retail, and an expectation of abundance shape sizing. "Enormous" is often the point, not a mistake.
Who is NOBUNAGA / @japan_nobunaga?
NOBUNAGA is an English-language comedy storytelling project: a wandering samurai observes modern American life. Stories also appear in the book The Samurai Who Discovered Free Chips.
Are these stories fiction or real travel notes?
They are literary comedy postcards rooted in recognizable American customs. Read them as storytelling, not as a guidebook, then check local norms when you travel.
