This time around, we've left much behind to make a better life for ourselves and our children, but we're thrilled to be here and to have this experience. Still, you have to take the good and the bad together and I have the right to rant as much as anyone. So, here goes:
The bits I don't like (in no particular order):
- The ice cream tastes weird. Nature Girl won't even eat it.
- Clothes Dryers, or the lack there of. N'uff said.
- The roads are the width of a 2-car garage and the edges are crumbling away.
This one's more like a single-car garage.
I took that pic while hubby drove.
- Roundabouts
- People drive down the center of those roads, 50mph, around curves where they can't see me on the other side.
- I can't find my favorite pickles (Vlasic Kosher Dill, if you want to send some my way)
- Downey isn't Downey its L-something and doesn't smell the same
- Sorry, but the beef is expensive and tasteless
- Parents smoke right next to their babies!
- I like rainy days, but seriously...
- I miss my mom and dad. And my cats.
- The only outlets in the bathrooms are for electric razors... WTH?
The better bits:
- My groceries are delivered right to my doorstep!
- Wine is more affordable
- Self-expression is totally acceptable
- School uniforms ROCK
- Public transportation - even without a car you can always get where you need to go! It just might take a while.
- The only big school break is in August
- My 3-year-old will have 15 FREE hours of preschool a week beginning in January!
- My iPhone was free with my very affordable plan
- I live just minutes from Roman ruins, less than an hour from Stonehenge, castles, Manor houses, London...
Ancient Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum
National Gallery;Trafalgar Square, London
- I can take a train to France
- There is a true sense of personal freedom here.
- People are so polite and helpful (at least in and around my area).
- You can turn electrical outlets off and on. I just love that!
- The countryside is stunning
- Faeries (more on that another time)
There's so much more. I miss a lot of things from the US, but overall, I simply love it here. I think I'll be happy to stay awhile. I just need a dryer. And a hairdryer. And a visit from my mom.
What do you think?
