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How is your trip going? Have you been to the US before, or is it like a culture shock to you? What are the biggest differences you have noticed in Texas as compared to Die Schweiz? 😀
eaglefeather831 wrote:How is your trip going? Have you been to the US before, or is it like a culture shock to you? What are the biggest differences you have noticed in Texas as compared to Die Schweiz? 😀
My trip is going wonderfully. I actually cancelled my original flight to Denver about a week ago in order to stay here with Wolfen for another two weeks. We haven’t made it down to Corpus Christi yet because she hasn’t been feeling so well, but there’s been a ton of things to do and people to meet around here, too.
This isn’t the first time I’ve been to the States – more like the sixth or so – but it’s still very different from what I’m used to. Food, for example. I just feel I’m eating a lot less healthy here than I usually do. Sodas and sweets are in ready supply, and American bread just has no substance to it. 😆 Plus, here in the burbs I don’t get out as much as usual. As home, Retta demands exercise every two hours the latest, but here, I take the dog out once, and otherwise we drive everywhere and the only walking I do is around the stores.
I’d be worried about getting lazy, but I know that when I get home my puppy will make sure I get out and play with her as often as I did before.
There are other differences too, like the fact that people will just sit in their cars in a parking lot and leave the engines running, or – what always cracks me up – they think it’s such a big deal to drive a BMW or Mercedes.
One thing that especially surprised me is that a lot of goods aren’t as cheap as I remembered them from last time. It used to be that everything was cheap in the States. But things like movies and some foods and cars cost just as much over here as they do at home. But other things like clothes and gun accessories are still cheaper here. And of course the gas – currently $2.64 here in the Houston area, while it was about $8 to the gallon when I left Switzerland.
Just remember that the next time you want to complain about the gas prices. 😆Greater Basilisk wrote:eaglefeather831 wrote:How is your trip going? Have you been to the US before, or is it like a culture shock to you? What are the biggest differences you have noticed in Texas as compared to Die Schweiz? 😀
My trip is going wonderfully. I actually cancelled my original flight to Denver about a week ago in order to stay here with Wolfen for another two weeks. We haven’t made it down to Corpus Christi yet because she hasn’t been feeling so well, but there’s been a ton of things to do and people to meet around here, too.
This isn’t the first time I’ve been to the States – more like the sixth or so – but it’s still very different from what I’m used to. Food, for example. I just feel I’m eating a lot less healthy here than I usually do. Sodas and sweets are in ready supply, and American bread just has no substance to it. 😆 Plus, here in the burbs I don’t get out as much as usual. As home, Retta demands exercise every two hours the latest, but here, I take the dog out once, and otherwise we drive everywhere and the only walking I do is around the stores.
I’d be worried about getting lazy, but I know that when I get home my puppy will make sure I get out and play with her as often as I did before.
There are other differences too, like the fact that people will just sit in their cars in a parking lot and leave the engines running, or – what always cracks me up – they think it’s such a big deal to drive a BMW or Mercedes.
One thing that especially surprised me is that a lot of goods aren’t as cheap as I remembered them from last time. It used to be that everything was cheap in the States. But things like movies and some foods and cars cost just as much over here as they do at home. But other things like clothes and gun accessories are still cheaper here. And of course the gas – currently $2.64 here in the Houston area, while it was about $8 to the gallon when I left Switzerland.
Just remember that the next time you want to complain about the gas prices. 😆I agree with you when you say that sweets are readily available, and that the bread here has nothing to it. It’s kinda funny because ever since I got pregnant, I get a little nauseous when I think about sweets. I used to work at a grocery store and it amazed ma as to how much junk food people will buy in one trip. Nothing but pop and candy, chips, twinkies, and more. I used to eat that stuff because that is what my dad brought home, but now I try to eat more healthy. I have recently made it a point to eat more fruit. I am usually bad at that! 😀
$8 a gallon??? Wow…I will remember that when I complain that it’s $3 a gallon!I am so happy you are having fun! Wolfen must be great because you decided to spend another two weeks with her!
I hope you have much more fun yet to come!
It’s always killed me that sodas and Koolaid and other junk is so much cheaper than the healthy alternatives…It makes it really hard to feed your family healthy affordably. Wow, $8 a gallon, ouch! We live near enough to my husband’s job he either walks or rides his bike most of the time, so gas doesn’t hurt our family as badly as some that have to commute. I’m glad you’re having a good trip. Always feel free to drop in if you’re near here! You’re always welcome as long as you can put up with cats and kids! 😀
I’d love to, purplecat, except I forgot where you’re at home. 😳
Yeah, I’m actually being good about not buying a lot of American candy. So far I’ve only bought $10 worth of Reese’s, York, and some gummies that I can’t readily get in Switzerland. Reese’s is one of my favorite sweets.
Wolfen and her family are wonderful hosts. They’ve taken me all sorts of places, from Austin to Galveston and in between. And Wolfen is making plans to come visit me too, maybe around spring time.
And to think that a year ago I didn’t know she – or Cat, or anybody else who’s invited me – existed. It’s great to be part of this forum. 😀Greater Basilisk wrote:I’d love to, purplecat, except I forgot where you’re at home. 😳
Yeah, I’m actually being good about not buying a lot of American candy. So far I’ve only bought $10 worth of Reese’s, York, and some gummies that I can’t readily get in Switzerland. Reese’s is one of my favorite sweets.
Wolfen and her family are wonderful hosts. They’ve taken me all sorts of places, from Austin to Galveston and in between. And Wolfen is making plans to come visit me too, maybe around spring time.
And to think that a year ago I didn’t know she – or Cat, or anybody else who’s invited me – existed. It’s great to be part of this forum. 😀Oohhh..Gavelston is pretty! I have been there before! It was the place where I first saw the ocean (well-the gulf-but that counts!)
I enjoyed Galveston too, even though I’ve seen prettier beaches and smelled cleaner air. But I thought it was neat place.
I forgot about people leaving the engine running. Its become such a habit to turn it off all the time here that I am just used to it.
purplecat wrote:It’s always killed me that sodas and Koolaid and other junk is so much cheaper than the healthy alternatives…It makes it really hard to feed your family healthy affordably. Wow, $8 a gallon, ouch! We live near enough to my husband’s job he either walks or rides his bike most of the time, so gas doesn’t hurt our family as badly as some that have to commute. I’m glad you’re having a good trip. Always feel free to drop in if you’re near here! You’re always welcome as long as you can put up with cats and kids! 😀
I know that is what killed me as well. They want you to eat healthier, but the junk food is cheaper. I am thinking because a lot of people buy it and so it is more affordable. If the government makes the junk food more expensive then I think that would help.
skigod377 wrote:I forgot about people leaving the engine running. Its become such a habit to turn it off all the time here that I am just used to it.
The only time I leave my car running is when I am in it waiting for someone. Oh and occasion I will leave it running if I lock it and run in the house to get something.
I have the habit that if I’m not using something, I turn it off. I turn the car off when I’m waiting for someone, I turn off my computer and hi-fi and the water when I’m not using them. I don’t want to be offensive, but I think it’s a fact that Americans are a lot less frugal with natural resources that Europeans. Just an observation. Don’t growl at me.
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