I miss:
+ cars that stop for pedestrians
+ target
+ mexican food
+ efficiency
+ grocery stores that open early and close late
+ my family
+ fast internet
+ my friends
+ big/wide roads
+ being able to understand everything
+ book stores
+ american breakfasts
+ being able to find something the first time i try (this applies to things and places)
+ pad thai
+ the availability of size 10 shoes
+ big american bathtubs and hot water heaters that work.
+ big kitchens
+ american appliances
I don’t miss:
+ crap added to my foods
+ hurry hurry hurry, go go go
+ the news/media
+ the constant political arguing
+ cost of food
+ being scared of violent crime
+ chain restaurants and stores
+ the coffee
Neat post! I would also miss many of the things that you miss, especially Target! For the not miss list, I wouldn’t miss the cost of food or political arguing either. It’s amazing how much we spend on food, and not always being able to eat as healthy as we would like because it’s hard to stay in budget when we go on a health kick.
Your “miss list” is longer than your “don’t miss” list. 🙂 Great experience for you and your family! I would really miss water heaters that work! That’s a biggie! 🙂
I agree with most of your don’t miss list. I’ve almost stopped watching the news-all they do is argue or try to scare everyone. It’s ridiculous what we spend on food just trying to stay healthy. I do miss you & those sweet little girls. I hope someday you all are back in Savannah!
What a gorgeous photo. I’m glad there are plenty of things that you don’t miss. I’m loving following your Italian adventure, it’s certainly an incredibly beautiful place. CJ xx
I totally get this! I miss pancakes at diners! I miss really good custard. I miss pizza (not a big thing in England). I miss “the real internet.” I fear we’ll have to wear crash helmets when we return because it will be so fast compared to England’s internet. I miss efficiency and the American systems put in place to make life more efficient. For instance, banking in the UK is just a huge joke. So are house repairs. I miss my large washing machine. I miss my car. And I really, really, REALLY miss good mexican food. But I really don’t miss the politics and I’m not looking forward to returning to that mess. Great photo!!!
Cool lists. Perspective is everything. And I so agree with you regarding the news, I stopped the daily paper (Wash Post) and I am so much happier. Check out theskimm.com for a better look at what’s going on in the world, I feel like I’m informed but not scared to death.
I’m enjoying all your blog posts! Really loved those tags!
Took the words right outta my mouth 🙂 I agree 110% with EVERYTHING!!
How much longer do you guys have overseas? I feel like your lists were quite similar to mine when we lived over in Korea. In Korea I missed an oven that was large enough to cook anything for a family for four, PIZZA and bras in sizes other than “training”. Sadly we moved to Washington DC, so I am very over the GO GO GO HURRY HURRY HURRY that we got when we moved back here.
That list was about the same for me when my husband and I were stationed in the Azores. Well, except the internet. We didn’t know any better because that was back in 2003. I didn’t spend a lot of time online at the time.
Your ‘Don’t miss’ list could make me fall in love with Italy.
Amen to missing Target, being able to understand everything, American breakfasts… and big showers… while in Israel!
I miss book stores, too, if it’s any consolation. They are going the way of the dinosaur around here, I’m afraid. It’s so, so wrong.
Having been stationed over here for almost 10 years, I think your list is spot on . . . with one exception. Coffee! The US does have great coffee, you just have to know where to get it. I have a local roaster here in Garmisch – I think it’s the best coffee in the world. I’ve gotten to know him and frequent his cafe and only buy his coffee beans and we’ve had some talks about “American coffee.” He’s well known in the European “third wave” coffee world and his opinion is that the USA has some of the best coffee in the world! I was shocked to hear him say that, but I think he might be right now. You have to get your beans from small-batch, craft roasters and when you do, SCORE! I was back in the States (San Diego) in November and went on a cafe crawl (or caffeine crawl, HA!) and definitely had incredible coffee at many places. New roasters are popping up all over the States and most of them ship or do subscription clubs, so great coffee is easy to get. So when you do return to the States you can still have great coffee. 🙂 There is something special about that little espresso cup at an Italian coffee bar though!
PS: Re: Coffee. And be careful if/when you get to Vienna. The cafes are luxurious (I spent MANY hours in those cafes when we lived there for a year) and fun to sit and linger in, but the coffee is just meh. It’s all about the atmosphere in Vienna. The coffee is just an accessory.
LOVE your list though. OMG do I miss Mexican food. We have a place in Garmisch called Sausalitos and we call it “Ger-Mexican” because it’s really not Mexican. LOL The margaritas are good though.
I think I could stay there forever just for the beauty of it, but then add in the food and coffee and I am HOOKED!
the only thing missing is FAMILY!
xoxo
tara
And don’t forget ice cream/gelato!!