Well this is my first official blog on the differences I am finding between Australia and America. First of all the biggest differences I have found are the food. So many things in America are ready made, like mashed potatoes, vegetables, and so many things you can walk into a supermarket and buy it already made. America is a country all about convenience, with a why make it from scratch attitude when you can go buy it and just reheat it. Now not everyone has this attitude, but there are a lot of people that do. On the other hand there are also those that do everything at home, including canning, making their own sauces, sauerkraut, canned vegetables, fruits and meats. The biggest shock for me was going into a service station and not finding healthy options to eat. There is junk food everywhere you go, everywhere you look, candy bars galore, chocolate, crisps, and even meat sticks but to find a salad sandwich is impossible, ya have to make it at home. I asked a cash assistant once if they had any, she looked at me like I was off the planet, asking me what that was. After giving her a description of the ingredients she then looked at me with the sourest face and informed me they didn't sell anything like that. Without healthy options being offered, no wonder so many Americans have a weight problem. I myself have put on a ton of weight since I have moved here, and now pulling the reigns back in. I have had my time of trying all the new foods that I have never heard of before. And now it's time to get back in to shape. I am missing a lot of things that I am used to having easy access at home, like Milo, Cordial, Vegemite, beef pies, a local green grocer, a butcher that is cheap and supplies meat packages at a very reasonable price. You would be surprised by the things that are actually more expensive over here compared to the prices back at home. Prices I took for granted, although there are a fair share of cheap prices here too. But things I don't really think of much usually as really it's not something I would consider that I need. I am missing home pretty badly right now. The friends I had and family as well as usual sights and sounds and even smells of being at home. Like gum trees, beaches, salt air, waves crashing at the shore, greenery for miles around, red dirt,
Some things I have noticed, there is a huge underlining war still in the under currents of this country between North and South.. the Southerners like to think that they are more civilized then that of the north having better manners, Even making the smallest sound when one burbs is a no no... There are rules for this and rules for that. But not many seem like they are truly happy. I miss the laughter I shared with my family and friends not thinking of this or that being unacceptable... These people have forgotten that God says not to judge others. Although more people go to church. But church seems to have lost it's perspective of what God really means.
Right now I miss home!
