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Sunday, November 11, 2012

God Bless America!

I love to travel. I think it's because of my background as an Air Force brat. We moved every three years, and for a total of nine years, we lived outside of the country (three years in Germany, and six years in Japan). I just got back from a week in China for a work trip. I got to spend a few days in Shanghai and then I went to Chongqing. Overall it was a great trip and I got to see some amazing sites.

On my first night in Shanghai we took a cruise on the Bund and saw all of the neon-lit buildings. It was breath taking! (When I say we, it was the other people who came for the same set of meetings. I didn't go with anyone I knew.)



I must say, however, that I am so glad to be back in the United States for several reasons. Number one, while I love Chinese food, having it for three meals a day for seven days is overload. The city of Chonqing is in Sichuan province which is well known for their spicy food. I've never been afraid of spicy food, I can eat hot salsa like a Mexican, but in Sichuan cooking, they use these evil little peppercorns called Sichuan Peppercorns. I call them DEVIL SEEDS. They made my tongue numb! If you ever encounter these things, STAY AWAY!

My second reason is that I love cold drinks. I want ice in my drinks. This is one thing that drives me nuts about other countries. I know that in many Hispanic countries they think that drinking cold drinks is bad for your health. As the Mexican sisters would tell me on my mission: ¡Ay Élder, el hielo le hace daño al hígado! (Oh Elder, ice damages your liver!) I've asked doctors about that and they look at me like I'm crazy. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, one of the sisters that told me that also said that squirting breast milk into your eye will cure allergies! (In a pinch iguana blood will work too!)

My final reason...I miss my dogs! LOL If you have a dog, you'll understand, if you don't have a dog, you should! :) They sleep with me in bed, and I missed them. They have been my constant shadows since I walked in the door last night. They're so funny. I know they missed me too.

4 comments:

Duck said...

I love the United States, too. While working in Great Britain on an American Air Force Base, it was a humbling treat to be on base at 5:00 PM when the flag was retired for the day. Being on foreign soil, watching the flag come down was very stirring and made me appreciate, and love, the United States even more.

Every time I have come home to the US, after being in Europe for an extended period of time, I have knelt and literally kissed the ground. I love the freedoms that American soil gives me.

I would love to have a dog, but cannot where I live. I would want either an Old English Sheepdog or a mix Collie/lab.

Trev said...

Sichuan pepper is weird when you first have it, but as you eat it more you get used to it and you'll probably start to like it.

That's what happened to me, at least. When I first had it it freaked me out, but now I LOVE the things (though they're not good if there are too many and you can't get at your food without chewing a bunch of them--that's no good). Please, don't give up on them out of hand.

James said...

Trev, I think that's what happened. Every dish that used them had TONS of them in there. My tongue was seriously paralyzed! haha

Devil seeds!! lol

Dean said...

I have not traveled outside the U.S. in almost twenty years. The guy I am dating is currently in Europe on a trip that was scheduled before we met. I will be applying for a new passport.

I love my pets. I have dogs and cats. They are wonderful.