Was in the military for over 20 years, mostly spent in Asia. Most countries have their plus and minuses. The one thing I found in Asian countries was that public transportation was easily found and for the most part cheap.
Not so in the states.
I miss muscle car culture and guns. Other than that, I’ve got nothing to yearn for in the States. I’m sure that being from California has a lot to do with that. I love Texas to death and will move there if something causes me to need move back. I’ve been out 20 years and love it. Of course it is fun to visit the States for work and friends and family, but I’m always happy when I get to take the plane back home.
Water market in Thailand. Here, people sell things on the water by boat. This would be regulated into oblivion in the United States. Why you wouldn’t be able to do anything because of “mah children!”via
I liked the little neighborhood shops. They have been mostly zoned and regulated out of existence here. I liked how you did not need a vehicle to go to a super market. I liked the orderliness of driving and the way we people lined up and waited their turn for things. I liked how I could go anywhere and never worry about what kind of neighborhood I may be entering. I liked how I did not feel nervous when I saw a police officer. I liked being able to enjoy a beer anywhere. I liked the public transportation, clean and orderly and no drunks and derelicts acting up. I liked how an old person could run a group of kids off or correct them without fear of repercussions. I liked how Christmas was short and sweet, not a 4 month sale. I liked being able to buy a cheap good used car. Just a few of the things.
I missed my guns and shooting though.
A number of these things, not all, applied to Korea as well.
Spent a week in USSR back in the 70’s (student exchange program). Kissed the ground when I came back to the good ol’ USA
The wife and I were career military, been all over the world. Would not trade our experiences for anything but these days when I want to visit a “foreign” land it’s on my Harley and, no matter where I go, it’s always nice to see that “Welcome to Texas” sign.
Why does this only apply to men?
Although it's certainly not perfect this is,in fact,the best country in the history of mankind.
Ha! Who will do the heavy lifting?
“a American”
At first I thought that was a typo in the headline, but no. He did it again in the body of the text.
I have my retirement mapped out in another country and, yes, there will be things I know I will miss - cajun cooking, English as a first language, being able to flush my toilet paper instead of toss it in the waste basket.
But I see the benefits of being able to live on just pension and social security rather than staying here and working another 10 years just to afford rents and health care worth it.
My parents gave good advice to all their kids, such as learn how to do the basics, such as cooking, sewing, cleaning, mechanical repair, learn a specific skill, such as woodworking, flying, or playing an instrument, learn about history, music,art, and literature, and learn a language and live overseas for a while.
They’ve all good and they have served all of us well, but the last one was a great idea. It really gives a person the ability to see the good and bad, the effective and useless and the relaxing and irritating of cultures, something someone who stays in his locale has a hard time doing.