Morning friends! Well, I’m actually in the good old United States….finally! It’s a pretty long haul across the Pacific, as you can imagine. Had a great flight, watched a few movies, and in case you’re worried my blog has turned into all things travel, I read Laura Frantz’s Love’s Awakening!! I think you are going to love Jack and Ellie’s story – I certainly did ๐
So, my musings on the flight:
- It’s great to get a window seat until the bathroom calls and the two burly American men sitting next to you are snoring – when manners made me hold out, things can get pretty uncomfortable!
- Movie selection is a challenge – given that I so rarely go to see films I wanted to watch them all ๐
- Went very American and watched Matt Damon in The Promised Land, Ben Affleck in Argo, and only got through half of The Lincoln Lawyer!
- Sleep is sporadic in between two crying toddlers (so felt for their mums) and indiscreet Australian high school kids heading off on a NASA trip yet their intelligence didn’t extend to realising that when the cabin lights are out and everyone else is sleeping, modifying your voice volume might be appropriate.
Then we hit LA Airport and I indulged in people watching, paying attention to cultural differences:
- As I’d been told, American customer service is excellent (aside from the two hour wait to get through customs), people are unfailingly polite and welcoming
- A lovely staff member directed me to a queue that wasn’t open – she immediately took me throu personally to the start of the other queue! I was impressed although not sure everyone I passed was as thrilled!
- Generally speaking, Americans talk a lot louder than I’m used to
- It’s okay to have a family disagreement, loud and proud, in public, but a polite apology is given to those listening at the end
- Everywhere I went ( plane, shuttle bus, lift) people freely talk about church, pastors, and ministry. I’ve since discovered there’s a Christian counsellor’s conference at the hotel I’m in)
- Apart from the Colorado floods, the big news item is Kmart has released it’s earliest holiday (aka Christmas) ad on TV ๐
- Weight gain is inevitable
More soon – until then….
September 13, 2013 at 1:41 am
Welcome to America! I love your observations so far. ๐ Yes, we are typically overly loud (and you’re not even in the South!) So glad that everyone has been polite, friendly, and welcoming so far. Hope you enjoy your trip!
September 21, 2013 at 1:01 am
Brooke @ i blog 4 books ยป I’ve loved the people – Southerners are pretty special folk, I think!
September 13, 2013 at 1:52 am
Yay! Welcome to the US of A! Glad your adventures are going good and looking forward to more stories ๐
September 21, 2013 at 1:01 am
Jamie Lapeyrolerie ยป Appreciate that, Jamie – sorry my reply is so late. I read all my comments each day but only now have the time to respond!
September 13, 2013 at 3:47 am
Yippee! Glad you made it hear safe – welcome, Rel! ๐
Have a happy time.
(PS: did you like ‘Lincoln Lawyer’? It’s very “adult,” but I love the story and Matthew M. is actually quite good in the role.)
September 21, 2013 at 1:00 am
Rissi ยป I only got halfway through the movie so really need to watch the end – LOL!
September 13, 2013 at 3:53 am
Welcome to the USA, Rel!! I hope you have a fantastic time! And yes, Americans can be loud (like Brooke said, and you’re not even in the Texas/South), but so glad it’s been a good time so far for you! Can’t wait to read more from your trip. ๐
September 21, 2013 at 1:00 am
Kate ยป Well, I’m in Texas now and it has been grand!! Loved every minute although Walmart scared me a little – LOL!!
September 21, 2013 at 6:16 am
Haha! Walmart scares me too! That’s why I go to Target. ๐ I’m so glad it’s been a grand trip!
September 13, 2013 at 4:00 am
This made me snicker! Something about American culture certainly is fascinating. I can even feel the difference from Canada when I drive 2 short hours in to Seattle. Looking forward to read more about your adventures south of the 49th.
September 21, 2013 at 12:59 am
Lydia ยป It’s been an eye-opening and wonderful trip – I would certainly come back again. My family would love it. Canada would be amazing, too. My folks visited Canada and Alaska some time ago and loved it. xo
September 13, 2013 at 8:08 am
LOL. Interesting and amusing observations. Have a great time. ๐
September 21, 2013 at 12:58 am
Amanda Deed ยป It was great, Amanda – talked about you with Narelle and Dotti ๐
September 13, 2013 at 8:19 am
Yes, welcome Rel. Hope you have a great time in the U.S. and at ACFW. Sorry I won’t have a chance to meet you!
September 21, 2013 at 12:57 am
Julie Klassen ยป That’s so sweet of you, Julie – would have loved to have met you. Have had a brilliant time and head home tonight – sad to be leaving but excited to be home with my family again ๐
September 13, 2013 at 9:21 am
I noticed that they drive very differently than Canadians when I traveled there for the first time this summer. And of course, they’re more peopled than us. It was nice to finally visit it. This is your first trip, I’m guessing? ๐
September 21, 2013 at 12:56 am
Ganise ยป Spent 3 days in LA on the way home from Europe in 1996! Not sure that truly constitutes a proper visit to the US!
September 13, 2013 at 12:35 pm
Welcome, Rel. It’s unfortunate that you won’t be visiting Texas on this trip, but maybe another time. If you do, the welcome mat is always out at our house. Meanwhile, hope you have a great time in Indy.
September 21, 2013 at 12:56 am
Richard Mabry ยป As you now know, I did make it to Texas – so sorry I couldn’t meet up with you. I promise, if there’s a next time, we will meet! Thanks for the great pic, too!
September 13, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Ahhh yes, kids and touch-screens on the back of your seat is also a challenge when you’re trying to sleep, as I recall.
We told you the other night people are so lovely, polite and generously helpful!! Coming home was such a disappointment from that perspective. Enjoy the hospitality while you have it!
I have an app (freebie) to tell me what your timezones are while you’re away. Miss Mischief and I are living vicariously through your adventures. Oh to be in the US with you!
September 21, 2013 at 12:55 am
Tracy ยป Everything you said about the US has been spot on! You two are so sweet! Tell Erin, Jim Rubart was really impressed with her questions! You’ll hear more on that when I post his interview. Meeting Jim was such a highlight – he was a delight. His nature reminds me quite a bit of my husband’s!!
September 13, 2013 at 2:08 pm
Rel, Have been thinking of you and am thrilled with your update! You’re going to bless and be blessed at ACFW :). Thrilled Ellie and Jack went with you! Heartfelt thanks for that! Have a very merry, memorable time!
September 21, 2013 at 12:53 am
Laura Frantz ยป It was fabulous, Laura, just fabulous! Just like Jack and Ellie ๐ xo
September 13, 2013 at 6:32 pm
what a pain on the plane. I go for an inside isle so I can get out. Got stuck by a sleeping american from Hawaii once and he slept for almost 9 of the 10 hours.
Have a great time.
September 21, 2013 at 12:52 am
ausjenny ยป I think I’m in the inside on the way home ๐
September 14, 2013 at 1:20 am
Welcome, Rel! Hope our paths cross at ACFW. xoxo
September 21, 2013 at 12:51 am
Ann Shorey ยป I’m SO very sad they didn’t ๐ I’m sure you were as busy as I was – it’s a bit of a whirlwind, isn’t it?
September 20, 2013 at 3:34 pm
I recently went back to America and went via Australia, and found the Australian customs people to very very polite… more so than the Americans. But we got in to the US in the middle of the night shift so that might have had something to do with the general lack of bubbling personality. lol.
September 21, 2013 at 12:26 am
Heather Harris ยป I’ve found everyone in the US to be nothing but charming and unfailingly polite and welcoming ๐ Working in the middle of the night would make me grumpy, too – hehe!