tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post6314343055356363054..comments2023-10-12T07:16:36.892-04:00Comments on A2eatwrite: I'm Gonna Party Like It's... Belgium?Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02362687820368214420noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-46174452013383266892008-06-11T11:30:00.000-04:002008-06-11T11:30:00.000-04:00Yes, Goofball... just to get you hungry! Actually...Yes, Goofball... just to get you hungry! Actually, my What's Cooking Wednesday post is going to BE about my lunch today, so I have to prepare it and eat it before I'll be posting.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02362687820368214420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-66087552297063438712008-06-11T11:25:00.000-04:002008-06-11T11:25:00.000-04:00you must be busy ...usually you have your food pos...you must be busy ...usually you have your food posts alraedy up when I have lunch. I think you usually do that on purpose ;)Goofballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11155032632164828945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-51431491451600506642008-06-10T12:10:00.000-04:002008-06-10T12:10:00.000-04:00Sandy, it's really interesting, but in between the...Sandy, it's really interesting, but in between the coasts is really nothing like the coasts. Come visit us - we'll show you the Midwest! ;-)Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02362687820368214420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-44350579755560867412008-06-10T11:20:00.000-04:002008-06-10T11:20:00.000-04:00Iowa? Wow! Who would have thought :) I've only bee...Iowa? Wow! Who would have thought :) I've only been to the east and west coast. I would love to see Iowa and explore on a trip like yours! And yes, perhaps Belgium too :)Momisodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06752015177628948631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-44468514940312858422008-06-10T06:47:00.000-04:002008-06-10T06:47:00.000-04:00I'm looking forward to that, Glamah. Especially b...I'm looking forward to that, Glamah. Especially because I have a Swedish "daughter", albeit from Stockholm.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02362687820368214420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-8110881381198486012008-06-10T04:57:00.000-04:002008-06-10T04:57:00.000-04:00Funny,I'm in the midst of writing about my cross c...Funny,I'm in the midst of writing about my cross cultural experinence in very rural Sweden.Cant get my pics up yet, but stay tuned.glamah16https://www.blogger.com/profile/16724763173861801914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-65051018256365279142008-06-09T19:26:00.000-04:002008-06-09T19:26:00.000-04:00Do you have Iowa ties, Teri?Do you have Iowa ties, Teri?Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02362687820368214420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-26452602142881557712008-06-09T18:02:00.000-04:002008-06-09T18:02:00.000-04:00What a nice plug for Iowa! Yay for Iowa!What a nice plug for Iowa! Yay for Iowa!cathouse terihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02547258612468286876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-24459102420809628962008-06-09T16:38:00.000-04:002008-06-09T16:38:00.000-04:00I'm right with you on all of that, Jenn, which is ...I'm right with you on all of that, Jenn, which is why I'm always surprised to find something where I think, "Hmmm... I thought that..."<BR/><BR/>I love being surprised, and I love learning about new cultures. I grew up in a very, very diverse neighborhood in NYC, and feel a little discombobulated in my suburban town where things are less interesting in terms of cultures mixing and blending more easily.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02362687820368214420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-60413783169878660582008-06-09T16:10:00.000-04:002008-06-09T16:10:00.000-04:00I was really fortunate to grow up in the DC area, ...I was really fortunate to grow up in the DC area, meaning I was exposed to all walks of life, foreign languages spoken all around me and any cuisine I would want to try. This is one of the reasons sometimes I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb - I just don't have many stereotypes to inflict on other people. So I am happy about this. I want to keep this alive in me and someday pass it along to my children, so I keep learning as much as I can about the world, keeping myself educated in this way.<BR/><BR/>Also the time I spent in Norway and on the Navajo reservation - living a very different life than what I am used to in both cases, really served to increase my passion for other cultures.<BR/><BR/>Blogging has been an amazing tool for this as well. I learn more every day about different cultures than I ever thought possible, while at the same time "meeting" and creating bonds of friendship with people all over the world. <BR/><BR/>How cool is that??!! I love it!Thistlemoonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17898600488153652504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-5411813203087022482008-06-09T15:53:00.000-04:002008-06-09T15:53:00.000-04:00Well you are!Well you are!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02362687820368214420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-89287146755994618102008-06-09T15:52:00.000-04:002008-06-09T15:52:00.000-04:00I am a delight...whoooo you give me wings. That's ...I am a delight...whoooo you give me wings. That's so sweet!Goofballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11155032632164828945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-80129465048084964092008-06-09T14:49:00.000-04:002008-06-09T14:49:00.000-04:00Diana - I used to feel that way in NYC, too. But ...Diana - I used to feel that way in NYC, too. But yes... explore! ;-)<BR/><BR/>Proud Italian Cook - It's interesting how perceptions can change over time or new experiences.<BR/><BR/>Jami - I love when perceptions change (obviously). I'm really dying to travel through Mexico, but I think I'm going to have to wait until a bit later in life, just because we have to get through some other places, phases first in terms of momdom.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02362687820368214420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-28104095925765331852008-06-09T12:50:00.000-04:002008-06-09T12:50:00.000-04:00Mexico. Growing up in southwest Louisiana and sou...Mexico. Growing up in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas in the 50s and 60s, although prejudice was NOT practiced in our home, about the only experience I had had with Mexico was the border towns - and that really wasn't a great impression. Later, when I had to travel extensively in Mexico for business, it was entirely different from the impressions I had formed when growing up. It's a fabulously rich country filled with varied and interesting cultures and enormously friendly people.Jamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17962802919604963474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-81270674901578212382008-06-09T10:40:00.000-04:002008-06-09T10:40:00.000-04:00Who would have thought, little old Iowa! Wow, I'm ...Who would have thought, little old Iowa! Wow, I'm impressed! I have a new found respect for that state now. I use to drive to Des Moine and always think how boring the drive and area was, I guess I was so wrong!!Proud Italian Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18101116879818585638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-77005043929326773362008-06-09T10:24:00.000-04:002008-06-09T10:24:00.000-04:00Such a fine post. Maybe (just maybe) I should rec...Such a fine post. Maybe (just maybe) I should reconsider my own narrow belief that there is no other NYC burrough besides Manhattan.diana murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13839114778425842955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-1426548603547497792008-06-09T08:50:00.000-04:002008-06-09T08:50:00.000-04:00Nuria, I have many Cuban friends and I would secon...Nuria, I have many Cuban friends and I would second that! My neighborhood growing up had many Cubans and we loved hanging out in their kitchens with the family and just talking and laughing and eating good food and being brought in like family. I also found very friendly folks biking through the Netherlands, too, though.<BR/><BR/>Mae - SUCH an important point! I couldn't agree with you more. My first "language" after English was French, and I spent bits and pieces of time in France in my 20s. I met so many lovely Parisians, but as you said, it was our mutual interests that drew us together - primarily writing and Jazz, but also my meeting them with their language and being fascinated by French culture undoubtedly helped. I really strongly believe that learning SOME language before you go somewhere is enormously helpful. The one language I've had incredible difficulties with is Armenian, though. When we had our Armenian exchange student, she tried to teach me some basic phrases and I had the worst time. It was terribly embarrassing.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02362687820368214420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-60435999902567672292008-06-09T08:40:00.000-04:002008-06-09T08:40:00.000-04:00I think the most important thing is not to view th...I think the most important thing is not to view the people who work in tourist areas as typical of a country or locale. Most egregious: the Parisians who work in tourist places like the Eiffel Tower or the nearest shops and restaurants are SO different from normal French people. Using the French language or any native language also creates a completely different experience. Every good experience -- mine and other peoples' -- seems to involve meeting people for MUTUAL purposes!Mae Travelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13328946930935633113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-767927944507107382008-06-09T08:20:00.000-04:002008-06-09T08:20:00.000-04:00Wow Jen, how interesting!!! I would love to partic...Wow Jen, how interesting!!! I would love to participate in one of these things before I die! Good for the Iowa people!!! How nice of them :D.<BR/><BR/>I felt very well treated in Cuba when I was there in 93 (I think). People were so sweet and kind :D. Also biking through Holland I met beautiful people, but I guess that due to the climate, they are not as open as Cubans.Núriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022880640891451797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-9487577439391497862008-06-09T06:56:00.000-04:002008-06-09T06:56:00.000-04:00Flower Child, well, it seems that everyone who sto...Flower Child, well, it seems that everyone who stops in Iowa seems to love it. Maybe it's the U.S.'s best kept secret?<BR/><BR/>Patti - absolutely! I'm from NYC. I know the stereotypes there and most New Yorkers are incredibly nice, AND they want to give you advice, be in your business, etc. But in a nice way. ;-)Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02362687820368214420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-3930884736007616812008-06-09T01:06:00.000-04:002008-06-09T01:06:00.000-04:00Oh wait! I just thought of a good stereotype-buste...Oh wait! I just thought of a good stereotype-buster. Way back in the 90s, when I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, I went to NYC to interview with a public interest firm. I had never, ever been there (or anywhere...still haven't!) and I was kind of scared because I'd heard that people were rude. People were SO nice! I was so happy because I was by myself, didn't know a soul, and I only had really good experiences. Everyone looked kinda rich, but I didn't let that intimidate me the way it usually does...I guess that helped?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-72075731874388382792008-06-09T00:50:00.000-04:002008-06-09T00:50:00.000-04:00I saw the real Field of Dreams in Iowa, way back i...I saw the real Field of Dreams in Iowa, way back in law school when I dated someone from Iowa (the less said about him, the better). It was way cool!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-41267832784420727102008-06-08T22:56:00.000-04:002008-06-08T22:56:00.000-04:00Iowa just has the nicest people. I've been a zill...Iowa just has the nicest people. I've been a zillion places and I can't say that I've ever had a stereotype or a stereotype turned on its head. The thing that surprises me most is when people are soooo nice. I just find that amazing. Must be the Northeasterner in me. :)Flower Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08611806187828172442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-69879306028029159282008-06-08T21:04:00.000-04:002008-06-08T21:04:00.000-04:00Absolutely, Maryann - it's just a lovely place!We ...Absolutely, Maryann - it's just a lovely place!<BR/><BR/>We would certainly do so, Carol! Actually, Goofball lives just 2.5 hours from my German daughter, so I'm really hoping something will work out one of these days!<BR/><BR/>Jerseygirl - how interesting that you've had two of the same surprises!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02362687820368214420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-810163108481683709.post-40583591539753746312008-06-08T20:55:00.000-04:002008-06-08T20:55:00.000-04:00I love Iowa too. Hubby worked at a Shakespeare fes...I love Iowa too. Hubby worked at a Shakespeare festival in Iowa City one summer and I fell in love with the place. Which completely surprised me. <BR/><BR/>And actually I had a similar experience with Belgium - we flew there because it was cheap and fell in love with the country.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com