Then I spent time in Long Beach, CA, where my darling parents are now living, basking in the sun and eating all the avocados. I actually managed to get sunburned within the first thirty minutes that I ventured out. Clearly I should apply for Irish citizenship based in that alone.
The Irishman came to visit! We went to Catalina Island for the day and a Dodgers baseball game so that he could have a true American experience. We went out with my dad on his boat and saw two dolphins, sea lions and pelicans. He also met my cousins which for some reason makes me feel really old. My parents have met a few Irish people in Long Beach and so, of course, they had a dinner party so that everyone could be well, Irish. This culminated in singing, telling dirty limericks, and of course the bottle of Middleton being empty. Did I mention they were Irish?
While on my travels I tried to think of comparing and contrasting (I remember this being a writing exercise in school that seemed so silly!) my life in Ireland to life in America. I think that the USA has better food, mostly because there is more diversity in type of food. In Portland we went to a breakfast place a la Southern style cooking where they served bacon and eggs with fried chicken and biscuits. (I opted out on the fried chicken). Biscuits, by the way, as in the bread like delight, not the cookie like things served with tea in Ireland. How American am I? Gushing on about food.
Side Note: Which reminds me, when I was talking to my brother's friends about life in Ireland they all asked me "what do you eat?" Now, I'm not sure if this is because a. they still believe Ireland to be in the perils of the Great Famine or b. that all the Irish consume is potatoes. Assuming it is the latter they are mostly correct. The potato remains a staple of the Irish diet along with butter and tea. The Irish, however, do eat other things and as there has been an influx of immigrants from far away exotic places they have brought their food with them and is has been incorporated into the Irish menu. For instance there is a lot of Indian food and so you can now put curry on your chips! Also, they have shops-or grocery stores-where one can buy most food products and prepare their own meals as they wish. Although I did have to go to three stores before I could find black beans.
Americans complain a lot when they are traveling. I have noticed this over the years, it's like some sort of bonding. "Oh, you're cranky and tired and didn't sleep on the flight?" "OMG me too! Let's bitch about it together." And speaking of bitching, JFK airport is terrible and the lines for security and hour wait for my luggage was ridiculous. Ok now I shall go back to my grateful self who is glad that I can travel and travel safely.
It's gray outside and my skin is peeling. Gross. Tonight I am going to a play in St. Patrick's Cathedral, I am looking forward to it. I'll be back with more soon, stay tuned!
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