A few immediate observations upon re-entering the good ol' US of A:
1. Man, airport security here is re-DAMN-diculous. I've noticed this before - airport security in Europe is like it used to be in the States: metal detectors, take your laptop out, move along, no problem. But now, as soon as you enter the "I'm going to America" section of the airport, shit goes berserk. Lines swell and snake back and forth. The worker bees get cranky, Take off your belt, take off your shoes, laptop out, BEEP BEEP BEEP, over here sir, hands out please. I always feel like I've been molested and ripped off by a smelly cab driver when I end up on the other side, shoe-less, disheveled, and pissed off. Now I've got to reassemble my carry-on while putting on my shoes and not holding up the line. DON'T HOLD UP THE LINE!
And the worst part is, it doesn't feel any safer. It's just less convenient. And now I'm surrounded by a bunch of pissed-off travelers, so maybe it's even more dangerous...
2. Americans are big, talkative people. I chatted with the customs guy, traded remarks with the baggage guy, etc. Everyone's on the phone, talking loudly, yelling at kids, and/or singing for no apparent reason. Maybe Germans are talkative too, and I don't know it because I don't sprechen, but I doubt it. Germany is quiet like a sewing machine. America is more like a construction site.
3. It's way too hard to find a plug for my laptop in airports. Hamburg and Newark airports, you have no excuse - it's 2006, and my laptop needs juice.
4. Root beer is fucking delicious. It's been months (years?) since it washed over my taste buds, and it's like heaven in a paper cup. Sweet and smooth. I arrived in Newark and made my way to the gate/waiting area, and found an A&W. Got me a double cheeseburger and a root beer, AND I got treated rudely by the underpaid staff. Welcome to America bitch!
It's good to be back.
