Hello. You did not submit the excerpt to which this question refers, which makes it impossible for it to be answered. However, using the full context of "Little Cricket" I'll show you how Thek and his grandfather's views are on America. I hope this answer can help you.
Thek has a more positive view of America than his grandfather. For Thek, America is a good place to live and settle down. He believes America is the land of possibilities and is ready to explore them all. He also loves how America has electricity, running water, taxis, meters and many other elements that he didn't have in his homeland. This vision is very different from the way his grandfather sees America. For Thek's grandfather, America is a dirty, noisy and dull place. He misses the nature and the outdoors that he had access to in Laos, he misses being able to see the mountains and eat delicious food, made at home with great care and affection.
"Little Cricket" tells the story of the Vang family, who had a peaceful life in Laos, even with few resources, but had their whole life turned upside down after the Vietnam War and the move to the USA.