US, US, baby

Seriously…does the whole world relate to John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads”? Apparently.

Here’s the Egyptian version of it…and you can get a little bit of a taste of what our next-table neighbors were like the whole dinner cruise. Yeah…when my sister and I picked up our bags to go on the deck and watch the city lights they frantically tried to stop us from leaving the boat telling us we couldn’t get off the boat yet and that the doors were locked. Really…I had no idea that I couldn’t get jump off the boat at any time…

A fellow writer forwarded this to a group of us this past week. It’s a Sydney Morning Herald blogger’s account of why the US is “The most underrated country in the world”. Kind of surprising read…and comments, too. Who knew foreigners actually realized the difference in people between coasts (and all that’s in between)?

And while reading a story in The Best American Travel Writing 2007 I came across this line by Edward Hoagland, written in 1966: “The Canadians are a muted version of Americans, lacking our worst and also our best qualities.” Hmmm…agree? I’m pretty sure I do.

Right before I left on my trip I got a fabulous package from the ol’ LA roommates. Inside was a book that is nearly impossible to find abroad (and was supposed to meet me in India) and a surprise t-shirt. Of course the book was great to get…but the t-shirt was a major pick-me-up before the tour.

I’m sure with my absence of posts/pics you were thinking Please Don’t Go Girl…but I have a feeling that y’all were Hangin’ Tough. Come on. You had to know that I’ll Be Loving You Forever.

Yeah…I’ve worn the shirt like five times already.

I was a big dork when I was little and often got in trouble for trying to read at the dinner table. For some reason, I would read Archie comic books everywhere and couldn’t put them down even come supper time.

Here in South Africa, I’ve been helping the kids develop their reading skills. I discovered this fabulous little find hidden away in their reading books. Definitely had to read this 1987 edition during a silent reading session. I think I may have owned this book myself when I was in elementary school. I’m pretty sure, though, it cost my folks more than the two rand the people here paid for it!

After finishing off an assigned story the other day, I rewarded myself with a trip to the mall to see 27 Dresses. Loved it. But I seem to love all American movies I’ve seen lately. Could it be a bout of homesickness? Or maybe I just seem to love any movies with James Marsden and a star from Grey’s Anatomy.

Anyway…I’m sitting in the practically empty theater, chomping on my popcorn and sippin’ my slurpy. And realize it’s Monday afternoon at 2:30. And I’m at the movies. Although it’s not the typical “travel” stuff that usually randomly smacks me with happiness…I thought, “Holy cow, I’m lucky. I hope I can do this when I get back to the US.”

I think this might be a Muslim Barbie on these suitcases in Doha, Qatar. Or maybe is it a Muslim Skipper? It’s really been a long time since I played with the blond plastic dolls…

But those are definitely Bambi.

One of the last things I did before I left India was see a good ol’ American movie. Spending two hours in a fantasy world…where everyone speaks English and nobody is staring at me…was pretty darn fab, I must say.

I also enjoyed the movie (Enchanted), too. However, it did make me realize there’s pretty much a dearth in the number of Bollywood films for kids. I mean, in four months, I’ve seen ads for one kids’ movie. I guess Indians haven’t mastered the art of grooming child stars who grow up to be drug addicts yet.

On another note…in about one hour I’ll be heading off to continent numero three for the trip (well, four, if you count North America).

Speaking of magazines…

The domestic airport at Delhi had this handy-dandy magazine vending machine. Great to know I can get Time, Good Housekeeping, or Cosmopolitan if I need them.

But I should admit. I’m not really a fan of vending machines. Too many times I’ve gotten a Diet Pepsi instead of a 7Up or watched in disappointment as my Doritos got stuck mid-drop on the spiral thingy. I mean, I can just imagine pressing the buttons for Time and getting one of the machine’s Hindi-language rags instead.

Apparently, though, the company’s got a guy on hand, should I run into any vending machine woes. (He was standing around while I was looking in) So weird. I mean, why not just have him sitting there selling them??? Because it makes much more sense to create a machine to replace the human…and then hire another human to watch the machine. Obviously.

Although I’ve gotten little mail on this trip, India did give me two fab pieces. First there was the Christmas card from Melanie that arrived in Shillong way back when.

Then there was the recent urgently sent documents from my sis. Inside this wonderful little envelope from the States wasn’t just my papers. Nope. It also included two Pay Day candy bars and a copy of US Weekly. Both of which I don’t usually buy for myself back in the states but devoured pretty quickly (yeah the candy bar’s already half gone).

Although the Brit saga in US Weekly was of interest…I was floored to find out that Neil Patrick Harris (aka Doogie Howser) is gay. Apparently this is common knowledge now. And only 61% of the mag’s readers are looking forward to the New Kids on the Block reunion. Um…hello? As soon as the tour dates are released, I’m buying tickets. Seriously. Why, you ask? Well, for starters…

Step 1. We can have lots of fun.
Step 2. There’s so much we can do…

Thought I’d pop up another “Name That Tune” one for you…

This time I was at Dilli Haat in Delhi. It’s a bazaar-type place with craft stalls from most Indian states and food stalls from a lot, too. If you’re in Delhi and have only a limited amount of time to visit the country, Dilli Haat is a good place to go to experiment with a lot of the country’s cultures. (You should definitely get the Rs. 20 — about $.50 — fruit beer from the Nagaland stall, too…fun because it’s fresh and fruity but also because you won’t actually get it in Nagaland…a dry state!)

While perusing a stall, I heard a familiar song coming from the nearby Manipur food stall. Thought I’d let you try to guess it. I have to admit, it’s a bit more difficult than an Usher song…and not just because the sound quality ain’t so hot…