In Search of the 'Real America,' College Kid from China Walks Route 66 to Chicago

Photo credit: Linda Weiss. Boyi Ouyang poses for a photo at the Joliet Area Historical Museum on Route 66.

Boyi Ouyang wanted to see the “real America,” and he looked upon Route 66 to find it.

Ouyang is a 22-year-old Chinese student studying marketing at Pace University in New York. Once he finishes his journey, he plans on flying to Beijing to see his girlfriend, whom he’s only met online. He’s not even sure if she’s really his girlfriend. Once he gets there he’s going to find out.

But before that, Ouyang wants to see what “real Americans” are like.

“Route 66 is America’s mother road,” he said. “It’s full of history.”

Route 66 originally ran from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, which is the route Ouyang is taking, except in reverse. He began his trip in Santa Monica, a smart move considering he left in March. Today, May 12, marks his 72nd day on the road. Wednesday he plans to arrive in Chicago.

On the road, he said, he met some of the kindest people. One gave him a hotel room and $200.

“That made me feel just so very touched because at that time I thought I couldn’t continue on my hiking,” he said.

Another gave him $20 and told him to pay it forward.

“When you see somebody having any troubles, give them a hand. Not only just money,” he said. “You can say hello, you can ask them how’re they doing.”

But when he first started, it was the people he was afraid of. He saw strange men and homeless people, but mostly what he saw was generosity. Ouyang requested to let it be known just how appreciative he is for all the kindness he received.

“I can’t find the words to express my gratitude,” he said.

Ouyang was in Joliet Tuesday, and in Romeoville Tuesday night. Wednesday he hopes to be in Chicago and Thursday he’s got to go to Beijing to see about a girl. A week later, he will be back at Pace University as summer classes begin May 21.

The girl that Ouyang will see is the one he’s been keeping in touch with throughout his adventure, in addition to his mom. He shares with her details about the trip, what he saw and what he did.

“Every day we talk with each other for maybe three or four hours,” he said.

Soon they’ll be able to do so in person.

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