I am enjoying my first visit to Scotland. I am literally across the street from Edinburgh Castle, blogging from a Starbucks. (Grande, breve cap, extra–dry at my side – I LOVE globalism!!)
I think I have distilled – over the last week – the four points which define the differences between the US and Europe:
1) The UN and ICC: The US, with its muscular military is comfortable exercising its will and protecting her national interests and sovereignty. The EU nations are more content to pursue diplomatic resources to try and solve problems. (Advantage: US)
2) Agricultural Subsidies. All nations seem content to discard comparative advantage and the wealth generated by the free movement of capital to protect their domestic farmers.(No advantage, both fail)
3) GM Crops. Again, as science producers, the US is more comfortable with the benefits of Genetically-modified crops. The EU hurts itself by disallowing these higher-yielding goods – and penalizes African farmers by banning their import. (Advantage: US)
4) Ice in Beverages, I got two ice cubes in my Diet Coke on he flight from Dublin to Edinburgh, Riza none. The proprietor of our B&B turned from Fred Rodgers to Basil Fawlty when I asked for ice. I could hear him thinking as I left “Bloody Americans – they come to our FREEEZING country and what do they want? Ice cubes!!
Ugly American signing out, see you on Wednesday!.
Good to hear from you JK. Your observations are fascinating and the scene you paint of modern American epicurean pleasures in the shadow of medieval monuments is quite romantic. (I presume cloudy skies?)
To be complete, your observation #1 must include the European proclivity to authority figures. Rather than solve problems themselves they'll generally wait for the bloke whose job it is to arrive.
Isn't this the first time Riza has been to the UK with you? First or not, it's great that she's with you. European trips are always better as a shared experience. Cheers!
Posted by: johngalt at April 11, 2004 09:57 AMAfter my first real trip (discounting quick business trips) to Europe last fall I became convinced that there was a fortune to be made my an enterprising ice cube salesman. I understand how customs can be different, but Coke is an American product, and always advertised here as "ice cold". Interesting that the product was exported but not in the ice cold form.
The castle view does depict a great scene, hope you and Riza enjoy your stay.
Posted by: Silence Dogood at April 12, 2004 08:42 AMThanks for the good wishes. We're having fun but are both ready to come home tomorrow.
Cloudy skies? Check out the blue spring skies in Edinburgh at http://www.rizarivera.com/tatergosum
Posted by: jk at April 13, 2004 09:03 AM