Observations from Europe

[eric]

So, finishing up my Europe trip. Went to 9 countries in Western Europe, basically everywhere by Switzerland and Portugal.

1. America is without a doubt the greatest country on earth.
2. Europe is fun to visit, but I would never want to live here unless I was ridiculously wealthy or married somebody from one of the countries.
3. On the whole, the people can be nice, but it depends on where you are.
4. Lack of intelligence on global political issues outside of blaming the U.S. for anything bad. They're still stuck on Iraq like its 2005. Still complaining about guns in the U.S. Still consider the U.S. Uncultured.. Ironic considering they don't do or talk about anything media related that wasn't made in the U.S. Completely ignorant of the role of Europeans in f**k the world up hardcore for the last forever. If they are knowledgable, than they are apologists to an irritating degree. Overall I would say most are living on the past greatness of their countries and that they're really losing their edge. Generally I have found people to be insecure about the U.S. . One of my favorite discussions at a hostel was about calling soccer, soccer. I had to remind them that it's what they do in Australia and New Zealand, and South Africa even, and that f**k it anyway because we speak our own language so we call it what we want.
5. Absurdly expensive/lack of options for all sorts of things. I've come to appreciate that I can walk into a small city, like Columbus, and buy fantastic beer for dirt cheap. Or if I go to any grocery store I can buy anything Europeans have and more.
6. The small craft and boutique places throughout Europe are world class.
7. Where the hell do people work? Do they work?
8. U.S. Makes the best beer as a whole in the world. Belgians are the only ones that make good beer, but it's marred by the fact that the only beer they're good at is, well, Belgian beer (which I love).
9. People kept ragging on the metric vs imperial system thing. Like who cares?
10. Eiffel Tower is amazing.
11. Budget airlines are amazing.
12. Jack Wolfskin is annoying. They basically made up some outdoors guy named Jack Wolfskin and hen but the label all over inferior North-Face products.
13. Wifi isn't much of a thing.
14. Paying for things in cash is dumb.
15. Paying for the bathroom bitch you serious?
16. Canadiens are funny. They act like they're Europeans and try to be smug about Americans, but it's Canada so it's cute.
17. Everybody's electronics are super ancient.
18. Asian tourists. Jesus.
19. Speaking of Asians, only them and Nort Americans seem to own newer phones.
20. Danish have a great eye for design.
21. Amsterdam isn't that great if you go solo and don't smoke weed, but it perfectly illustrates that it's nbd.
22. Open container really needs to be a thing.


Probably more to come if I think of anything insightful

[Dylan]

I eagerly await Com's arrival.

[eric]

[Dylan]

[eynon81]

[Dylan]

Amsterdam is amazing if you don't stay in the central area. But yeah if you go where the kids go it'll suck.

[Dylan]

[eynon81]

[eynon81]

[Dylan]

I maintain that Australian's foreign policy is simple and two-fold:

(1) Insert drunk, good looking and fun people into every hostel in the world, thereby building goodwill and fond memories with all peoples; and

(2) Send a handful of troops on every American misadventure.

So far so good guys. So far, so good.