I just got back from a couple of weeks in Europe, and I feel like a new man!
When I was overseas I enjoyed meeting different people from various parts of the world. Although I am not a particularly sociable person, even back home I now feel like socializing more often.
I came back with a renewed sense of confidence. It's an amazing feeling knowing that I have seen and experienced what many of my fellow Americans will never be able to enjoy.
In the US it seems we go out of our way to avoid social interaction, whereas in Europe socialization seems to be a way of life. Does anyone over there own a t.v.? If so you wouldn't know it for all the outdoor activity.
Although I thoughouly enjoyed experiencing new cultures and a new way of life (if even for such a brief time), being there also makes me appreciate some of the things I take for granted in the US.
What's up with having to pay 2 Euros or more for a teenie, tiny little bottle of water? I overheard an American in Amsterdam asking for tap water and he was promtly told that they didn't "sell" tap water. It's hard to justify spending more on water than I spend on my entire meal here in the states (but several times I did!). I could have been dying of dehydration and I doubt if anyone would have cared....
And the service.....what's up with the service? Overall everyone was friendly enough, no complaints there. But having to flag down a server EVERY time you want something and then having to wait forever to get it was pretty annoying. It seemed like most of the servers (with the exception of servers in Prague) kept very busy and simply didn't have enough help. I suppose that 2 Euro bottle of water would be more like 3 Euros if they hired enough servers, so I better not complain!
Lastly, why are most of the hotel rooms (the ones I stayed in anyways) like bottled water- too small and very expensive? I thought my room in Berlin was tiny...but when I could practically brush my teeth and shower while sitting on the toilet in my room in Munich, I realized the meaning of the word small.
So here I sit in my comfy chair watching my big screen t.v. drinking from my MONSTER size bottle of water wondering when I will be able to make it back to the land of uncomfortable hotel beds and two hour long lunches.
Americans need to travel more....
When I was overseas I enjoyed meeting different people from various parts of the world. Although I am not a particularly sociable person, even back home I now feel like socializing more often.
I came back with a renewed sense of confidence. It's an amazing feeling knowing that I have seen and experienced what many of my fellow Americans will never be able to enjoy.
In the US it seems we go out of our way to avoid social interaction, whereas in Europe socialization seems to be a way of life. Does anyone over there own a t.v.? If so you wouldn't know it for all the outdoor activity.
Although I thoughouly enjoyed experiencing new cultures and a new way of life (if even for such a brief time), being there also makes me appreciate some of the things I take for granted in the US.
What's up with having to pay 2 Euros or more for a teenie, tiny little bottle of water? I overheard an American in Amsterdam asking for tap water and he was promtly told that they didn't "sell" tap water. It's hard to justify spending more on water than I spend on my entire meal here in the states (but several times I did!). I could have been dying of dehydration and I doubt if anyone would have cared....
And the service.....what's up with the service? Overall everyone was friendly enough, no complaints there. But having to flag down a server EVERY time you want something and then having to wait forever to get it was pretty annoying. It seemed like most of the servers (with the exception of servers in Prague) kept very busy and simply didn't have enough help. I suppose that 2 Euro bottle of water would be more like 3 Euros if they hired enough servers, so I better not complain!
Lastly, why are most of the hotel rooms (the ones I stayed in anyways) like bottled water- too small and very expensive? I thought my room in Berlin was tiny...but when I could practically brush my teeth and shower while sitting on the toilet in my room in Munich, I realized the meaning of the word small.
So here I sit in my comfy chair watching my big screen t.v. drinking from my MONSTER size bottle of water wondering when I will be able to make it back to the land of uncomfortable hotel beds and two hour long lunches.
Americans need to travel more....
