Seriously…does the whole world relate to John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads”? Apparently.
Here’s the Egyptian version of it…and you can get a little bit of a taste of what our next-table neighbors were like the whole dinner cruise. Yeah…when my sister and I picked up our bags to go on the deck and watch the city lights they frantically tried to stop us from leaving the boat telling us we couldn’t get off the boat yet and that the doors were locked. Really…I had no idea that I couldn’t get jump off the boat at any time…
A fellow writer forwarded this to a group of us this past week. It’s a Sydney Morning Herald blogger’s account of why the US is “The most underrated country in the world”. Kind of surprising read…and comments, too. Who knew foreigners actually realized the difference in people between coasts (and all that’s in between)?
And while reading a story in The Best American Travel Writing 2007 I came across this line by Edward Hoagland, written in 1966: “The Canadians are a muted version of Americans, lacking our worst and also our best qualities.” Hmmm…agree? I’m pretty sure I do.
Somehow I got through an entire stay in Southern Africa without any trips to the Golden Arches. Don’t know how it happened. (Coulda been the knowledge that busting out my pink Lumix at the restaurant would have likely meant I’d be mugged on my way out…)
But no passing up Mackers in Egypt. I got this double-cheeseburger meal for about $2.98. Yum. And they even had hot mustard sauce. Double yum.
What is it with California? Is the fruit really better out there?
Seriously. First there were the California Raisins. Now “Californian Frooty” drinks in Zambia? (OK a bit of a leap, I admit) Really, now. I have to say after living in California for four years, I don’t see how the fruit merits that much attention.
Apparently the monkey agreed with me. As soon as I took this picture, he hopped down from the tree and snatched my fake “polony” sandwich and left me with just my fruit drink. Blasted monkey.
One (me) can go through almost a whole year of international travel and not meet the stereo-typical American. But just when you think you’ve made it off Yank-free, there he is…sitting right beside you on the tour company bus.
Before I even met him, I had an inkling of what I might be in store for. The night before he boarded the bus the guide and I had played “guess their nationality” for the three new clients joining the tour. As soon as I saw the name “Larry” I claimed him for my country. Seriously…have you met any Larrys from China? I think not. But Larry from the US? Yep. (but no, the other two clients weren’t his brother Darryl and his other brother Darryl)
Sure enough, the next day, two super-sized middle-aged Americans — Larry and his wife — huffed and puffed their way onto the bus. Barely seated, they began excitedly talking about their hunting safari they’d been on the last few days. When our guide asked where they were from, Larry happily answered “California” and then with a newly placed disgusted look quickly began adding, “but they might as well call it Mexi-fornia the way all the…”
“What part of California?” I cut in, trying to avoid 1) my getting into an angry argument with him and 2) his embarrassment when he realizes that two seats behind him is an American named Ricardo.
Later someone on the tour said they made them think of the people in Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine.
Animals we don’t have in America* that I got to see on my visit to RSA’s Kruger Park:
1. elephant
2. giraffe
3. lion
4. buffalo (I think we killed them all off…)
5. zebra (dazzles of them, in fact…yes, I also learned that a group of zebra is a dazzle)
6. spotted hyenas (my favorite of all the spottings)
*zoos, circuses, and NYC apartments of crazy people who keep them captive in tiny spaces excluded
Here’s a short video of the ones that I was close enough to get with my little point-and-shoot. Just think of it as Jayna’s version of The Lion King…but without Elton John’s song at the end…or a storyline.
Right before I left on my trip I got a fabulous package from the ol’ LA roommates. Inside was a book that is nearly impossible to find abroad (and was supposed to meet me in India) and a surprise t-shirt. Of course the book was great to get…but the t-shirt was a major pick-me-up before the tour.
I’m sure with my absence of posts/pics you were thinking Please Don’t Go Girl…but I have a feeling that y’all were Hangin’ Tough. Come on. You had to know that I’ll Be Loving You Forever.
