Billy Hoffman took me out for a great BBQ sandwich in his red Le Baron.
How does it feel to be back in USA?
It feels strange, which is unusual because i have spent 12 years of my life in USA. It has been over a year since I have been here and i have become quite acclimatized to Europe – enough to become a true Euro-Snob.
The first things i noticed at Chicago airport are how “tacky” things seem – sorry Americans, i am just being honest here- there is far more hype around the products but not the quality, thoughtfulness or the goodness. The food in particualar. I notice fast food eateries EVERYWHERE and EVERYONE eating there. I notice unpleasant smells outside. I notice how much of USA is paved with something -everywhere – parking lots, roads, whatever can be paved, gets paved.
But I also I get the feeling of spaciousness, i notice how powerful the trucks are, the obvious friendliness of the people, and i appreciate the spa at the Holiday Inn – USA seems like the only country in the world that heats up their spas to a HOT temperature. THANK U AMERICA
America used to be home to me for 12 years – I came first in 1985 and got married to my American wife Debbie. We lived for the next 5 years on the West Coast. After 3 years in Australia, we returned to USA in 1993 and didn’t leave until March 25, 2000. 5 year anniversary coming up in a few days. My kids miss America – they have been away 5 years like my wife. We tried to get back before but were not able. Maybe this year?
Must go back to the spa – bye for now.
are you in chicago?!? if so for how long, we should hang out…it has been almost 2 years since seeing you in prague, i’d love to see you again…
john
just the chicago aiport – now i’m in richmond for 2 days and then home.
did you start blogging?
hey andrew i’d love to hear more about your adaptation (or lack thereof) to multiple ‘homes’. i’m an aussie living in lexington, kentucky (almost 6 years now). we’re coming to greenbelt this year and, although it is not oz, it already feels like a kind of home-coming trip. anyway, i’d love to hear (read)your reflections on US/Europe differences having lived for a good amount of time as an outsider in both places.
peace.
We have our American hot tub turned up as high as it will go, and it’s OK. But it’s still wimpy compared to Japanese baths. My wife’s family introduced me to the coed outdoor hot springs. I was initially mortified to get naked (with nothing but a hand towel for modesty) with my in-laws — my mother-in-law! — but once I got over that, I found that it is one of the best places for relaxed conversation that goes deeper than usual.
I don’t think I would feel comfortable doing that in a non-Japanese context, though!
Chicago is the one place you can actually attend the infamous Jerry Springer Show. Now, that something I’d like to see you blog about.
i can see jerry springer in london – if i wanted to.
and geoff, i just got off the phone with will samson who you must know – and who is also coming to greenbelt