I wrote earlier about the tug of war between the comforts of home and the adventure of travel. Well, here are some of things I’ve been missing about the comforts of our home since I’ve been over here. And, really, this is a pretty simple list, as I don’t have many language problems and the culture is pretty similar. Just some minor quirks and things I think we do better back home. I’m sure we’ll revisit this list while we on our big journey and surely have many more things to add. But without further ado:
– a comfortable couch
– spicy food (when claim it is its only worse)
– “home cooking”, I know I was pleased with myself but its still not the same
– beers that don’t cost $10
– indoor temperatures above 65 (I don’t know this for a fact but it sure always feels cold … besides, they use these C things that I can’t translate =) )
– TVs with more than four channels (and that are always in English)
– a quilt and sheets
– March Madness and spring training
– non-rainy/snowy days (with the exception of last Saturday)
– non-motion sensing lights in my bathroom (you might think this is clever, until you have it go off every three minutes while hidden behind the shower curtain)
– Coke being the same price as Pepsi, and thus making my decision easy
– doors that open without pushing a button on the wall
– my nightly routine of the Daily Show and Colbert Report
That’s my list so far. For those who haven’t traveled, what do you all think you would be the hardest thing to give up? For those of you who have traveled, what was the thing you missed most?
Wow, I was totally scanning that list looking for Theresa’s name. You passed with flying colors!
I would miss mindless hours of watching TV. And easy access to celeb gossip. Shallow, I know, but isn’t that what creature comforts are all about??
Woohoo, I made the list. When we go on our big trip, however, I might make a different list: Things That Are Driving Me Crazy. All that togetherness is going to be something 🙂
Awww, that’s sweet 🙂
I miss ice in my coke, American ketchup (it tastes better and it’s always free with your fries), TV (although, I was impressed with how many programs were in English when we went to Stockholm–way better than Germany where they dub everything), my dog, and of course my bed (the most comfortable bed in the world!). I’m assuming I’d have my husband with me 🙂
Nah, Theresa, you driving me crazy *is* what I miss about you =).
And Laura, its crazy the things you’ll find yourself doing in foreign countries … like going to McDonald’s. Besides being the only place with free toilets, its also the only place to get ice in my coke or proper ketchup. The one I went to a few days ago actually had a soda fountain you could fill yourself (free refills!).
I miss reading the newspaper, getting the mail and the couch.
Water pressure in the shower, or a shower big enough to fit into, or a car i can drive that isnt the size of a peanut.
America is definately the land of excess, spending 6 months in Italy showed me that.
I miss the walking i did in Europe, so much healthier as a lifestyle.
Ha ha, it’s funny you say that about McDonald’s. When Theresa and I were studying abroad I remember that the whole group of us resisted going to McDonald’s for a long time, but after a while it became a special treat–a craving we just couldn’t resist!