I'm Ready To Be Smart Again

We're getting ready for a little jaunt back to the good old US of A soon. I must admit, I'm more than a little excited about it. Russ has been back there several times, but the kids and I haven't been back to the lower 48 in 5 years. (I know that Alaska is part of the US, but some times, it just doesn't feel like it. Maybe it has something to do with Canada standing between it and the rest of the gang.) Our trip has me thinking about what I love about both Belgium and the US. Here are a few of them...

What I love about Belgium:

1. Living in a small town in the country. I love opening the windows and listening to the chickens clucking and the horses neighing. I love the huge fields of corn, swaying in the wind. It's a simpler way of life, and I find that I prefer it.
2. Architecture. Beautiful buildings are all around you here. Churches, government houses. There is so much history here. Where else can you walk down cobbled stone streets and pass a church that has been there for hundreds of years.
3. Bike paths. People are so much healthier here, because there are bike paths just about everywhere. They run their errands on bikes instead of cars. It's better for the environment, and better for you, as well. As an added bonus, a lot of these paths are along the canals. It doesn't get much better than that.
4. Fresh food. There are open air markets in most towns here, and you can buy fresh fruits and veggies, as well as meat. The restaurants use only the freshest foods as well. Everything just tastes better here.
5. Round-abouts. I know what you're thinking. Is this the same person who was whining about round-abouts just one short year ago? Yes, it is. I have since embraced them, and (don't tell anyone) they are tons of fun to fly around. The round-about has released my inner Mario Andretti. I am speed. I am invincible. Give me a round-about over a stop sign or red light any day.
6. Safety and security. You can leave your bike outside of a store, shop for a while, and the bike is still there when you come out. Go figure.
7. Chocolate. No explanation necessary.

What I love about the USA:

1. I'm smarter. I actually understand what people are saying to me. I can read signs and menus with no problem. I don't have to think so much. It's nice. I like being smart. I can't wait to step off of the plane in the states, and have my intelligence level instantly leap upwards.
2. Streets that go North, South, East and West. Streets here head out in all directions from the center of each town, like spokes on a bicycle. If you take the wrong one, it might be a long while before you get back to where you want to be. In the US, they run parallel, so if you take a left turn and go over one block, and you can get back on the right road.
3. Drive thrus and delivery. They don't really have either of those here. The only drive thrus I've found here are Burger King and McDonald's. There aren't many of those, and they aren't close to us at all. Belgians believe that eating is a social occasion. It's something that should be done out with friends, and takes hours to finish. You can't rush food here. There are days when I would practically kill to have a Domino's pizza delivered to my door.
4. Clothes shopping. Apparently Belgian women don't have butts. Or hips. I can't wait to hit the malls in the states. I'm prepared to do some serious retail damage. This is Russ' only warning. (So don't tell him.)
5. Sonic. Applebee's. Podnuh's BBQ. Sometimes a gal needs a few preservatives in her diet.
6. Family. And that includes Tink and Ashley.
7. Air conditioning. It's been in the high 90's lately. I REALLY miss air conditioning.
8. Big discount stores like Walmart and Target. You can get everything on your shopping list in one swoop. You don't have to drive from store to store to find what you want. If someone opened one of these stores in Belgium, they would make millions in the first month.