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Unfortunately, the concept of a country that's been settled for longer than 200 or so years just boggles the American synapses. To view as much continuous history as one can find in the smallest European village requires one to travel to at least three states in America.
Europe is more densely populated than most of the states, as well. From my own (somewhat limited) exposure to Germany, I determined that a traveller would be hard pressed to find anyplace he could throw a rock that would not result in injury or property damage (I exaggerate, but only a little).
To reassure himself that he hasn't landed on another planet completely, the American tourist seeks out signs of home -- typically a McDonalds. It isn't haute cuisine, but it is a taste from home, and has a calming effect (until the indigestion begins).
I imagine the European tourist may go through the same mental process upon finding himself in the hinterlands of America. Unfortunately, there aren't very many restaurants in America that offer the European traveller the tastes of home. Long John Silvers' probably doesn't offer "real" fish-and-chips and I've looked for years to find my favorite German dish, and have yet to find anything like Jägerschnitzel.
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Ah, there is nothing like driving through 20 miles of National Forest with the only intersections being secondary roads and dirt roads to estates deep in the woods. The only thing that seperates you from the nature is, Your car, the road, and those invasive powerlines and poles.
------------------ I'm the only one who understands me, and I ire of my company. --Paul Cargile
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We are called the Dutch because the British were stupid some centuries ago, and confused us with Germans :]
We are called The Netherlands because we are so low. We are called Holland because we are so hollow. Of course, we call ourselves Nederland not Netherlands, but then we call London Londen and Paris Parijs..
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All ye Americans come to the sceptr'd isle of Britain. We speak a language sufficiently similar to your own to usually get the meaning across.
Also, everything is much closer together. I can hop in my car, here on the west coast of Scotland, and head East for about an hour and a half, to arrive at the East coast. In comparison, America is so vast it's overwhelming.
And when I visited America a few years back, it was very alien, but once I turned on the TV I felt much happier. I seem to recall one of the first nights of my stay was a soothing therapy of Mission Impossible, First-run Voyager, and then a late-night MASH.
Although I did keep giggling at the evening news, but I can't help that.
------------------ "Those are tonight's headlines..... God, I wish they weren't." - Everyday THE DAY TODAY!
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An hour and a half to cross from one side to the other, Montgomery? That's a little hard to picture for a Canadian like me. To get to my hometown of Kelowna from Vancouver (where I attend university) is a four hour drive (or longer in the winter), and that's not even half way across the province!
Not to seem to be bashing Americans here (although it seems to be becoming a national past time here now), we often get a good laugh from the, er, lack of general knowledge of many Americans. One of my friends once told an american down south that he was from British Columbia, and immediately was asked why he didn't have a British accent. I could, of course, go on for a long, long time at all the ways the United States government annoys me (not the people, mind you). But I think every country has a stereotype of some sort, and so being Canadian I guess I'm supposed to be quiet and polite
All I can say is don't let the actions of a few misguided people (or complete idiots) set an image for an entire country.
------------------ "Sometimes you get the bear, and sometimes the bear gets you." -Commander Riker, USS Enterprise
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It was great to see John Travolta complaining about our "you know what they put on their french fries" habit though. 'tis true.
Registered: Mar 1999
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Mayonnaise! (Samuel L. Jackson: "Geez!")
Registered: Mar 1999
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Orion Syndicate
He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!
Member # 25
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Mayonnaise? That's probably something that's done on the European mainland. I've never heard of it being done in Britain, although there may be some.
And RW, I love your country, Belgium isn't it?
Just kidding, I have been to the Netherlands, and I thought it was really good. The next thing I have to do in your country is to visit Ajax's stadium and watch a game there. I've heard it's amazing. You might scoff at that though, the natives of a country always seem to burst out laughing when someone compliments it.
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*had a very good J�gerschnitzel this weekend*
For a J�gerschnitzel, take boneless pieces of pork, flatten them to about 1cm and pay attention that it's very even, dip into flour, beaten egg and breadcrumbs. Fry in a pan for about 10min, until it's gold-brown.
The mushroom sauce may be made of beef stock (of which is usually too few available) and flour, but a brown instant sauce may do as well. Only the mushrooms should be fresh or at least canned. Don't take dried mushrooms. I like to add some milk or sour cream. Maybe you could use few(!) ketchup or a little bit of brandy. It's also possible to add some chopped bacon.
Best served with fries, boiled or baked potatoes and peas, carrots and/or cauliflower. I recommend a German Pilsener (that's a beer with foam).
Prost und guten Appetit. *No warranty*
Another nice recipe is Pommes rot-wei�: Fries with ketchup *and* mayonnaise.
And now some more nicknames for the Dutch: ********* ***** *** ****** ************** *********** *** *** *** ********* *************
RW: Maybe it comforts you that your big neighbors basically have the same problems.
Bernd from what you may call Bavaria, not so strictly speaking
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