World Traveler

Sorry I haven't posted much recently. Been traveling the world.

I cannot tell you how much I love America. As the Europeans call it..."Land of Plenty".

First stop - Iceland.

Arrived without luggage for two days - saw the local malls and spent hundreds of dollars trying to buy 1 stinking outfit. Way overpriced for my taste.

Just to give you an idea of the cost.

At the mall -

1 slice lasagna and two cokes $33.00

At the grocery -

1 bag of Tyson chicken nuggets - $31.00
1 chicken - whole $30.00
1 duck - whole $90.00

I don't know how the people survive paying those kinds of prices.

On the other hand - the men are beautiful. I mean beautiful. I was in heaven. They are not only beautiful, but polite and very hardworking.

HB and I decided that we would send the girls there for a few weeks when they graduate to find a hubby.

These folks can also drink. Hot drink for the evening...Mojitos. This is a Cuban inspired drink. And usually you can locate it in any bar in Miami. Strange to see this cold concoction being downed in Iceland. Drinking is saved for a Friday as you MUST get a cab. If you get caught drinking 1 drink and driving. 30 days in jail and a month and a half wages. So when they drink - they drink and drink and drink.

Next stop - Holland

Actually - Amsterdam. My boss wanted to stop there for the weekend before our next stop.

Went to museums. Van Gogh and Rembrandt and even the wax museum. Thought I would hate them. I didn't - beautiful works. Look like photographs. Lovely.

As far as the coffeeshops and redlight district. They were there. But nothing is open about it. Soft Drugs as they call it are illegal. They are tolerated - so blatant drug use was not apparent. You had to look for it. Hard drugs are a huge no-no. I read about being offered these things on the street and to beware. But - Not one offered. I think I could have asked a few shady characters but - since I don't do that it would be all for nothing. The redlight district which we visited on our last night was odd. I didn't find it sexy at all - but the guys did. Its neat to see - but I don't get it.

It was a neat looking place with crooked buildings - lots of different colored faces. The ones who seem to live there - busily hurrying by on their bikes in their suits.

So - been there -done that and had a great cuppa beer there too. Wouldn't go back.

Last stop - Norway

A quaint village like feel. Streets roll up at 10. They also have the no drinking and driving law. And Norweigens take it seriously. Everyone was busing to and from our location. Can you image an American doing this? I know....Its hard to believe.

My first note on this place was the lack of elevators. I climbed steps and more steps to going to the floor I needed. I made note to HB that if I gained weight after all the walking and climbing I did I know my fat ass is due to a thyroid problem. Not a lack of exercise!

I had my worse and best meal here. For lunch they took us to their canteen at work. In America we would be given huge meals and options. Here you have bread, cheese and a small dish of meat (shrimp, chicken). You take these things and make a semisandwich - which you eat with a knife and fork. Strangely enough it was enough.

Dinner was excellent. I had crabs and HB had whale steak. I know - the whale steak creeped me out too - but I had a bite and it was the most delicious and tender piece of meat ever.

What I did not eat was puffin. I refused. I am glad I kept my standards.

I am glad I went. I want to go back to Iceland and actually see some of the natural beauty they talk about - beside the inside of their local mall.

It was worth the trip - but I prefer America.

Glad I am home.

Anyone want to go for a beer after work? I'M DRIVING!