…except walk on the beach, or sit on the sofa on the balcony drinking coffee and staring at the ocean. Which really aren’t such bad options, once you get out of the must-make-the-most-of-time-in-US mode.
Although it’s been a mere six months since our last trip to the US, we’re still having waves of bewilderment about this strange country and its strip malls full of cheap nail salons and Trader Joe’s. The jetlag is adding to that, I’m sure. Some of my brilliant observations over the past 24 hours:
- Everybody here is speaking English!
- You’re refilling my coffee?
- I can’t drink a beer on the beach? Why the hell not?
- What is this? We didn’t ask for the check…
- Turn off that air conditioner! Do you want me to get sick????
Alright, I’m TOTALLY kidding on that last one. I’m still an American, you know.
After 23 hours of traveling, my weary brain was confused to end up speaking German with the guy checking us into the hotel (who happened to be from Munich). Fortunately he was the perfect person to tell us where we could watch the German-Turkey game* the next morning (see photo above). And I thought I’d never have a use for a big American sports bar. I’m sure the 10-person crowd of mostly German expats at the bar was a far cry from the scene in Munich, and I’m quite sad to be missing out on all the excitement at home. It’s going to take a lot of Mexican food, dirty martinis, and free coffee refills to console me. And perhaps another walk on the beach before breakfast.
* WTF was up with those feed outages during the second half of the game? And what’s worse, we were forced to watch inane American commentator banter in the gaps. Switzerland, I am deeply disappointed with you. Hang your head in shame.
The outages were due to a violent thunderstorm in Vienna which caused a power cut in the international broadcast centre which is based there. Pictures were lost worldwide.
In Switzerland we still had feed during the 2nd German goal (which I know was cut in Paris and Santa Barbara), just the audio was cut.
and damn, cheap nail salons, trader joes, mexican food, all in the first few sentences? must.go.visit.america.soon.
this morning the taxi driver told me she couldnt have the air on yet because she just cant have it on all day. i just smiled and nodded.
Hey, I live in America, and I still can’t get decent Mexican food. Wrong coast. OMG I could inhale an enchilada right now.
Europeans don’t like air conditioning? What a backwards “society”. I suppose they hate dishwashers, too. :^)
and the German ZDF took the Swiss tv-signal from the satellite and broadcasted it in Germany, after 8 minutes break. That was totally illegal, but they did it anyway. Because 350 000 people outside in Berlin would have burnt down the Swiss and Austrian embassy otherwise, I guess.
So in Germany, there was just 8 minutes out, in Switzerland they had the signal all the time, and the rest of the world had a 30 minutes break.
Will you be in the States upcoming sunday night for the final, too?
I’m happy that you are enjoying being Stateside. I bet that watching the game took on a whole new flavor without hearing the fireworks when a goal was made.
WHAT is that second picture!?!
nooo, put that picture away. you are making me hungry!!
Enjoy your visit in Cali. Munich just wasn’t the same without you last night!
Kirsten’s comment reminds of the time Alex visited California in the early 90s as an exchange student. One of the h.s. student asked him if there were cars in Germany.
The German coach is the best. I swear he spends 10 minutes arranging his hair before the games. Those tailored shirts are also great.
Yep, the outages were everywhere except CH I hear. Darn Viennese television feeds….
The German coach is the best. I swear he spends 10 minutes arranging his hair before the games.
Agreed! He reminds me (visually) of someone famous, but I can’t quite place it. I thought a little bit about Kyle MacLachlan, but that’s not quite right. Robert Culp came to mind for a split second, too (and now I’m not even sure why). Dang it, it’s somebody alright he reminds me of. I’ll hit on it sooner or later.
I am SOO jealous!!! I miss California strip malls and Trader Joes!! Actually, I think the beach is probably my most missed place in CA…… It makes my heat ache just a bit.
so apparently it was not really the power company’s fault but the soccer people who were stupid, the power cut was only a few seconds, but they didnt have their equipment set up right, so the power cut caused their whole system to reboot, which took a while. And then while trying to fix the system such that it wouldn’t happen again were there to be another power cut they caused it to restart again!
The power company is getting mad that everyone is blaming them 🙂
Kirsten,
Go to your nearest luxo-kitchen store, and see where the most beautiful, expensive, well-engineered dishwashers come from.
Just sayin’.
HB8
your absolutely killing me with the plate of enchiladas. I´m drooling all over my keyboard. I´m dying right now in the Andalucia heat and would do anything to be sick from air conditioning.
“Turn off that air conditioner! Do you want me to get sick????”
Hahaha! – See? See?? We told you so!
That last picture is amazing. But what the hell is it?
I always think it’s fun to read the stuff people notice about the U.S. when they haven’t been here in a while. Makes me realize all the stuff I take for granted every day! 🙂
Hey, is that La Jolla by any chance?
Kirk – why yes, the first pic is La Jolla. Good eye.
Kirsten – While dishwashers have managed to infiltrate society here, dryers are still eyed with some suspicion. Or perhaps it’s just a love of crunchy towels.
Jens – alas, I had to watch the final from the US, too. I suppose I should be glad Germany lost and I wasn’t missing out on some fabulous party. 🙂
Snooker – that would be Mexican food. 🙂 A stuffed pepper, an enchilada, rice, and beans, I believe. Mmmmmmm.
Swissguy – see today’s post. 🙂
Zan – there’s nothing like going away for a long, long time to make you appreciate the little things! Even something simple like ice water can make my day now. 🙂
headbang8 — I myself am the proud owner of a Bosch dishwasher, and it’s the best dishwasher ever in the world! I was just kidding — dishwashers run a close second to air conditioners in my Hierarchy of Appliance Love, and I can’t imagine forswearing either one. Air conditioning. Mmmmmm.
Also, I love Europe. Just to set the record straight.
Now wait a minute here. As I recall correctly, Kirsten declined an invitation to attend our wedding… which was held where? In EUROPE! I think she does indeed have some sort of prejudice. BUSTED!
But crap, now I’m busy trying to determine my own Hierarchy of Appliance Love. I do worship and adore AC, but would I trade the dishwasher for it? The washer? Tivo? What if I’m forced to choose one day, and I don’t know what to pick? Aaaaaaaaah!
Sara – Next time tell the taxi driver you agree, she should reserve the AC for her American passengers. Or just punch her.
Cliff – did it ever come to you? I’m not sure if Löw reminds me of anyone in particular, but he (and his hair) sure does crack me up. He also strikes me as exceedingly un-German whenever I see him.
Oh crap you have discovered my secret! Or maybe… I just don’t like you and Scott! OMG BURNNNN
<3
Ouch! As a comeback I could mention what everyone really thought of the invitations, but I’m just too classy to stoop to such a level. (That’s how we Europe-dwellers are – nothing but classy, I tell you.)
Hi from a fellow expat. I can relate to that “feeling” upon return to the States. I’m more comfortable away from the U.S. than in it these days – I guess that means I’m properly expatriated.
Enjoying your site, I’ll be back.
All the best,
Chris
Hi Chris! Thanks for stopping by.