unser Beitrag zum "Kulturbarometer"

We're just sitting on the train between Essen and Nürnberg and as we look out the window seeing the scenery rush by at the amazing speed of 160 mi/ hr. we thought we could make a short list of things we like about the US and about Germany (or don't like). So here they are:

What Nate misses about the US: the McLaughlin group, highly intelligent Texans, New Yorker magazine, low gas prices, reasonably priced cell phone service, compulsory use of deodorant, air conditioning, smoke-free restaurants, sufficient amounts of personal space, uncomplicated trash disposal, pocket change not worth five dollars, optimists, book stores, Ohio State football, possible use of credit cards everywhere

What I miss about the US: good ethnic food, all-day access to internet and to an outdoors swimming pool, and driving with trance music, cheap weekend jet-setting, palm trees and cacti, Traudi's hammock, the idea of being able to drive to famous National Parks at almost any time … oh, and I miss the American Dream! ;)

What Nate enjoys over here: soccer, fast trains, the Tour de France, cooler weather, clothes with ridiculous fake phrases on them ("South Grand Rapids", "World Sport Team Competion", "Beisbol Cubano"), ample amounts of livestock (for scenery)

What I enjoy over here: Döner and Falafel with lots of sauce and cabbage (one good, cheap ethnic food, though supposedly invented in Germany), our soccer team, bikes and their riders, SMSes, trees, red roof houses, bells and roosters, buying fruit and vegetables on a market from a Turkish person (like Erdogan in Hamburg), picking fruits right off a tree, Radler, realists, running with my sister, my sister, drinking coffee out of porcelain, not paper cups

How about your preferences? Feel free to post ;)