“Sin azucar my ass!” made me laugh out loud. And I’m with Brent: no ice, please.
Thanks for giving me something to appreciate about this country. For the record, I hope National Parks survive the incoming administration - though I do think Europe has us beat when it comes to nice public parks and spaces. And benches! My goodness, you’re never in wont to have a nice bench to take a load off (in Germany, anyway).
I miss American chili powder (actually a blend of spices). In the UK, the spice labelled "chili powder" is like pure cayenne pepper and you will easily ruin your dish if you sub that into an American recipe.
Agree about the paper products, but absolutely agree about the bureaucracy. Even management in some places- no one seems to have the authority or customer service to make things right quickly and efficiently (Rome).
I do like the transportation/train/bus and the walkability though.
No ice in drinks is a big one for me. And we do excel in national (and state) parks. I found this post refreshing about all the differences between other countries and the good old USA
I just got back to California from a cruise that stopped in Puerto Vallarta on New Year's Eve with a friend who was born near there. She showed us a beautiful restaurant with the best mussels and we found wonderful tortillas and guacamole (and tequila!). But I still missed my native New Mexico enchiladas with red and green chile and sopapillas (also difficult to find in California). Did you guys find the air quality worse than usual on NYE? My eyes were stinging at sunset before we left. Was it because of early fireworks or from all the charcoal grills for the celebration? Wishing you both a Happy New Year!
Hmm, interesting question. No, I didn't find the pollution worse, but we're a fair ways up the hills and there was a good breeze. But in general the air quality here isn't outstanding...
You obviously have never tried So Delicious (that is the brand name) Salted Caramel Cluster vegan ice cream - INCREDIBLE!! Something to look for next time you are in the U.S. My local Walmart even has it!
The thing about B&J vegan ice cream is that pretty much every flavor also has gluten. So frustrating! Many, many folks (like me) have more than one food intolerance. As far as I can tell, there are only two flavors that are also gf. One is FABULOUS - and can never be found- so maybe I hallucinated that one. (Some almondy/brickle- like creation) The other is Cherry Garcia. Whomp whomp. 😂
I didn’t know that. Sorry to hear it! Whenever people sympathize with my lactose intolerance, I tell them I’m so grateful that’s all I have to deal with.
Yes! There are some B&J in Portugal, but ALL have gluten. One of the things Imiss most is good ice cream. I occasionally find good gelato, but gelado is NOT ice cream lol
As for peanut butter being awful, I think its maybe because they don’t roast the peanuts
I’m also a York peppermint patty stan. Some Portuguese friends have recommended “After Eight”s as an alternative to which I scoff—puh-lease! The mint-to-chocolate ratio is way off. Nothing beats a York or Junior Mint 😆
“Sin azucar my ass!” made me laugh out loud. And I’m with Brent: no ice, please.
Thanks for giving me something to appreciate about this country. For the record, I hope National Parks survive the incoming administration - though I do think Europe has us beat when it comes to nice public parks and spaces. And benches! My goodness, you’re never in wont to have a nice bench to take a load off (in Germany, anyway).
Actually, Brent is the ice guy, not me! As for Europe and public parks, absolutely 100% without a doubt!
READING COMPREHENSION, JOE.
You can't handle the truth!
🤣🤣🤣
My husband and I have been in Playa Del Carmen for a month and eaten a lot of this unsweetened yet tastes sweet, Greek yogurt…! 😌
Paper products. Napkins in particular. Rest of world seems scared of giving you a napkin with any integrity
I hadn't thought of that but you are right.
It’s really absurd. You get one wafer thin sheet that dissolves with one swipe of the lips
Phil Rosenthal has a bit of a running joke about this napkin issue on "Somebody Feed Phil"
I have never been abroad, and i’m very tired of the US currently, so this was a joy to read to give me a fresh perspective.
Glad to hear that!
I miss American chili powder (actually a blend of spices). In the UK, the spice labelled "chili powder" is like pure cayenne pepper and you will easily ruin your dish if you sub that into an American recipe.
Good one!
Interesting! I haven't heard that before, but chili powder is definitely a specific thing!
Even in Mexico! I had to order it special from Amazon.
Agree about the paper products, but absolutely agree about the bureaucracy. Even management in some places- no one seems to have the authority or customer service to make things right quickly and efficiently (Rome).
I do like the transportation/train/bus and the walkability though.
We've written so often about European city walkability I'm worried someone is going to say "ENOUGH ALREADY!!!" LOL
No ice in drinks is a big one for me. And we do excel in national (and state) parks. I found this post refreshing about all the differences between other countries and the good old USA
In Scotland recently, a couple of us ordered iced coffee. What arrived were coffee cups with hot coffee...and a couple cubes of ice floating in each.
That’ll teach you! LOL LOL
I miss my friends and family and herring.
I just got back to California from a cruise that stopped in Puerto Vallarta on New Year's Eve with a friend who was born near there. She showed us a beautiful restaurant with the best mussels and we found wonderful tortillas and guacamole (and tequila!). But I still missed my native New Mexico enchiladas with red and green chile and sopapillas (also difficult to find in California). Did you guys find the air quality worse than usual on NYE? My eyes were stinging at sunset before we left. Was it because of early fireworks or from all the charcoal grills for the celebration? Wishing you both a Happy New Year!
Hmm, interesting question. No, I didn't find the pollution worse, but we're a fair ways up the hills and there was a good breeze. But in general the air quality here isn't outstanding...
Toast. That’s all I’ll say.
As an American expat myself, I can say numbers 1 and 9 resonate the most with me. 😍
Ohmigosh +1 for the peanut butter!
You obviously have never tried So Delicious (that is the brand name) Salted Caramel Cluster vegan ice cream - INCREDIBLE!! Something to look for next time you are in the U.S. My local Walmart even has it!
Well, I have tried Soy Delicious. But I liked Ben and Jerry's better. Sorry!
The thing about B&J vegan ice cream is that pretty much every flavor also has gluten. So frustrating! Many, many folks (like me) have more than one food intolerance. As far as I can tell, there are only two flavors that are also gf. One is FABULOUS - and can never be found- so maybe I hallucinated that one. (Some almondy/brickle- like creation) The other is Cherry Garcia. Whomp whomp. 😂
I didn’t know that. Sorry to hear it! Whenever people sympathize with my lactose intolerance, I tell them I’m so grateful that’s all I have to deal with.
Yes! There are some B&J in Portugal, but ALL have gluten. One of the things Imiss most is good ice cream. I occasionally find good gelato, but gelado is NOT ice cream lol
As for peanut butter being awful, I think its maybe because they don’t roast the peanuts
OMG peppermint patties. I very much miss them whenever we're away.
I also miss the diversity of cuisine in the U.S. If you come to SW France, you can find vegan Ben & Jerry's and large mugs.
Okay, SW France just shot to the top of the list!
I’m also a York peppermint patty stan. Some Portuguese friends have recommended “After Eight”s as an alternative to which I scoff—puh-lease! The mint-to-chocolate ratio is way off. Nothing beats a York or Junior Mint 😆
100%!