After a whirlwind half-day in New York City, Episode 3 of From Sal to America slows things down. We arrive at my parents’ house — home base for the rest of the trip — and before we even unpack, we head straight outside for a full tour of the property. For someone visiting from Sal, Cape Verde, this was a completely different side of America than the city: horses, open land, and a lot of green space.
Settling In: Home Base for the Trip
After New York, Providence, and everything in between, arriving at my parents’ house felt like exhaling. This is where we’ll be based for the rest of our time in America, so before diving into unpacking and settling in, we decided to explore the property first — starting outside.
The Horses and the Barn
The horses were the first stop, and easily one of the most memorable moments of the episode. Seeing horses up close for the first time was a completely new experience, and the barn itself — the smell, the space, the routine of it — was nothing like anything back home in Cape Verde. It’s a small detail, but it’s exactly the kind of everyday American life moment this series is built around: not just landmarks, but the ordinary things that feel extraordinary when you’re seeing them for the first time.
The Garden
Next was a walk through the garden. Between the different plants, the layout, and just how much space there was to grow things, it was a quiet but meaningful contrast to island life on Sal, where land and greenery look completely different. It’s these smaller, slower moments that end up saying the most about what it’s like adjusting to a new environment.
The Pool
We wrapped up the outdoor tour at the pool — a preview of what’s likely to be a recurring spot for the rest of the trip. After a few packed travel days between flights, NYC, and trains, the pool felt like the first real moment to relax since landing in America.
A Different Side of America
Where Episode 2 was all skyscrapers and crowds, Episode 3 is the opposite: open space, animals, and quiet. That contrast is intentional — America isn’t just Times Square, and this episode captures the more residential, everyday side of the trip. It’s also the start of a new chapter in the series, since this house is where we’ll be staying going forward.
Watch the Full Episode
The full episode captures all of this in real time — first reactions to the horses, the walk through the garden, and the moment we finally sat by the pool. Catch Episode 3 of From Sal to America on our channel, Discover Sal, and subscribe to follow the rest of the trip.
