ukdesperatehousewifeusa

Desperate English Housewife in Washington, chapter 273

Posted on October 27, 2013 by ukdesperatehousewifeusa

Going down south

So, got yer feet up, have ya? This is the Charleston, South, Myrtle Beach, Halloween blog, Part 1. It’s a little bit history, little bit people-watching, little bit crazy celebrations.

Visit to South Carolina

You know, I have two very conflicting views of the South. One that is romantic, and one that is not so romantic.

Heading to South Carolina

This journey was about finding out what today’s South is like. In addition to wanting to observe the fabulous architecture, the amazing swamps, and the rich history, I also wished to confront that very history alongside learning about race issues and politics during my visit, and to get an idea of how that history played out.

I learned a lot – interspersed with A LOT of fun, of course 😉

(And, yes, the USA DOES have history, so you cheeky Brits who, when I posted that I was getting an American history lesson in South Carolina, commented ‘That won’t take long then…”, can think again, because American history is complex, frustrating and incredible, all in one go.)

1. Sweetgrass baskets. I had not heard of, nor seen, sweetgrass baskets before flying in to Myrtle Beach and driving the route down to Charleston. There were several stalls on the roadside where sweetgrass baskets were being handmade. I wondered what they were all about, since it was pretty obvious that there must be a long tradition behind them.

Some of those baskets are incredible.

Sweetgrass basket making has been a part of the community in and around the Charleston area for over 400 years, apparently. The baskets are made from Natural Palmetto, Long Pine Needles, Bulrush and Sweetgrass.

The tradition of the basket making was brought to the area by slaves who came from West Africa. Our basket making process is a traditional art form which has been passed from generation to generation. Today, it is one of the oldest art forms of African origin in the United States.

2. Suck Bang Blow. Ah, the name of this restaurant tickled my bones. That’s for real?! Yes, it surely is.

The restaurant is nestled along Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, about 10 miles south of South Myrtle Beach. The Original Suck Bang Blow opened its doors in 1996, and gained (these are their words, not mine) ‘a reputation for smokin’ burnouts, hot girls, great music and, of course, the fact that you could ride through the front doors, right up to the bar, and order a cold one! It was and still is a favorite among rally-goers and locals alike.’

Oh I see, it’s a biker bar that you can drive into! How cool.

There you have it.

3. Boone Hall Plantation. So, after seeing this biker bar we headed out for some more real kind of culture and lo, here is Boone Hall Plantation. It’s a pretty impressive sight from the main highway.

Boone Hall Plantation was founded in 1681 when Englishman Major John Boone came to Charleston and established a lucrative plantation and ‘gracious home’ on the banks of Wampacheone Creek. The family and descendants of Major Boone were influential in the history of South Carolina, the colonies and the nation. The McRae family, who live there now, opened it up to the public in 1956.

It has its very own gin house – how very British! 😉

This weekend they were holding a Fall Festival and Fright Night in the grounds. It looked pretty darn awesome, if running from zombies is your thing…..

4. Rhett Butler Drive. There is one, in Charleston – and we spotted it! Hoorah, how exciting!

What a bloomin’ dish old Clark was 🙂

5. The Aitken-Rhett House. This amazingly well preserved home in Charleston was built around 1820. The whole house feels very real and not chilling – moreover, friendly and welcoming. Ah, to have danced at a ball in this house!

Prior to the Civil War, the Aiken-Rhett House was maintained by a population of highly skilled enslaved African-Americans who worked to sustain the Aikens’ high standards for elegant living and entertaining (and yes, it was pretty ostentatious and grandiose, as was the way at that time).

The slave quarters

Occupations of the slaves within the household included carriage drivers, cooks, footmen, gardeners, laundresses, nursemaids, and seamstresses. A post Civil War document reveals the names of 14 slaves that lived at the Aiken-Rhett House and attended the family: Tom and Ann Greggs, and their son, Henry; Dorcas and Sambo Richardson and their children, Charles, Rachel, Victoria, Elizabeth, and Julia; Charles Jackson, Anthony Barnwell, and two carpenters, Will and Jacob. Many of these individuals remained in Charleston following Emancipation, and Jacob Gaillard and Henry Greggs lived and worked at the Aiken-Rhett House until their deaths in 1896 and 1908.

The family buggys

The back lot of the Aiken-Rhett House is where the slaves worked and lived. The site is unique because the Aiken-Rhett House retains both original outbuildings. One is the kitchen and laundry and the other a carriage and stable house, above which are found sleeping quarters.

It is hard to walk around slave accommodation. We were advised that the slaves under the jurisdiction of the Aitken-Rhett family had significantly better living and working conditions that many other slaves during that time. Still…

The piazza (balcony). Splendid.

William Aitken actually seemed like a pretty decent bloke, all said and done. I learned even more about the Civil War and its impact from this visit. If you’re heading to Charleston, I recommend it.

5. Hungryneck Boulevard. I love American roadsigns and names. They’re just so different from ones in the UK. My favourite this trip was Hungryneck Boulevard. Genius.

What does it mean?!

Part 2 of the blog….coming up: Charleston, swamps, plantations and Halloween! 🙂

Here are some pics to keep you going.

Charleston

Blue skies 🙂

Rainbow Row, Charleston

Posted in Travel | Tagged African-American, Aitken-Rhett House, America, American, American history, Americans, Boone Hall Plantation, British, Charleston, civil war, Clark Gable, Culture, Englishman, Fall Festival, Fright Night, Gone with the Wind, Governor William Aitken, Halloween, hocoblogs@@@, Hungryneck Boulevard, John Boone, Myrtle Beach, Rhett Butler, roadtrip, slave quarters, slaves, South, Suck Bang Blow biker bar, swamps, Sweetgrass baskets, Travel, UK, USA, zombies | 7 Comments

Desperate English Housewife in Washington, chapter 272

Posted on October 24, 2013 by ukdesperatehousewifeusa

Heading to South Carolina

So, tomorrow we head to South Carolina – namely Charleston.

Marvellous!

I cannot wait to visit here – the architecture, the history! It looks beautiful, and it is named after my very favourite English King – King Charles II (who is my favourite because of his hair, his mustache, his decadence, Nell Gwynn, Restoration comedies and all the historical[ly inaccurate] novels that are set around that time.)

He was a dish, apparently.

Anyhow, yes, Charleston – hoorah!

Charleston is the oldest and second-largest city in the South Carolina. It looks picturesque and I totally have to do a buggy ride. It was founded in 1670 as ‘Charles Towne’ in honour of that mustached-lothario that was King Charles II, and Charleston adopted its present name in 1783.

Oooh, super dooper

So, off to yet another state….and this made think. How are the laws different in South Caroline from Maryland?

This is what I found on the Dumb Laws website….

• Railroad companies may be held liable in some instances for scaring horses.
• A permit must be obtained to fire a missile.
• A railroad my not remove itself from a town of more than five hundred people.
• It is illegal to give or receive oral sex in South Carolina.
• Fortune tellers are required to obtain a special permit from the state.
• When approaching a four-way or blind intersection in a non-horse driven vehicle you must stop 100 ft from the intersection and discharge a firearm into the air to warn horse traffic.
• Dance halls may not operate on Sundays.
• It is perfectly legal to beat your wife on the court-house steps on Sundays.
• An exception to the above law is that light bulbs may be sold.
• Every adult male must bring a rifle to church on Sunday in order to ward off Indian attacks.
• No work may be done on Sunday.
• It is a capital offense to inadvertently kill someone while attempting suicide.
• Musical instruments may not be sold on Sunday.
• A person must be eighteen years old to play a pinball machine.
• Performing a U-turn within 1,000 feet of an intersection is illegal.
• It is considered an offense to get a tattoo.
• It is illegal to display a confederate flag on a courthouse.
• Horses may not be kept in bathtubs.
• By law, if a man promises to marry an unmarried woman, the marriage must take place.
• It is illegal to sell any alcoholic beverages on Sunday, unless you own a private club.

So, there we go – South Carolina in legal terms (are they all for real?!). Make of them what you will.

The big question is…. will I be breaking any laws this weekend in South Carolina?! 😉 Who knows, because I am rather partial to bathing with horses……

See how much fun that looks…! 😉

Posted in Travel | Tagged America, American, Americans, bathing with horses, Blog, Britain, British, buggy rides, Charleston, Columbia, Culture, dumb laws, England, King Charles II, laws, legal, maryland, moustache, Nell Gwynn, Restoration comedies, South Carolina, Thoughts, UK, USA | 8 Comments

Desperate English Housewife in Washington, chapter 271

Posted on October 23, 2013 by ukdesperatehousewifeusa

Women of Howard County

I promised that the chicks of HoCo would get a look in on the blog, and what a lot of chicks doing good things and being generally gorgeous there are here!

Anyhow, these are my top lovely ladies of Howard County….drum roll please!

Mickey Gomez

Mickey is a blogger, and she writes beautiful and witty things on her blog. She’s always supporting stuff in the county, and that’s because she grew up in here and still has family here.

And what I love about the work she does is that it is pretty darn selfless. She started up the Volunteer Center and spends her days inspiring others to volunteer and learn about all of the incredible local nonprofits active in our community.

There’s more?! Yes, there’s more! She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Women’s Giving Circle and on the HandsOn Network Affiliate Assembly, was the chair of National VOAD’s Volunteer Management Committee, and sat on the Board of the Association of Community Services. She also worked it as the Celebrity Bartender at Evening in the Stacks Library event for the past two years. Yeah!

She wins celebrity bartender!

Why Mickey? All of the above, plus she is an advocate for issues related to equality and is passionate about civility in public debate (online and offline).

And she loves her doggies, Sophie and Shiloh. Cute as buttons!

Sophie and Shiloh

Jaki Ulman

Jaki Ulman / Jackie Kennedy. What have they got in common? Lots!

For one, they are both style icons. Mrs Ulman is what we Brits would call a ‘glamour puss’, but in a good way 😉 . She oozes style and sophistication, plus she’s really friendly and down-to-earth and likes a good joke, (even at her husband’s expense – Channing Tatum, anyone…?)

See? Glamour! Class!

So, she is the wife of Ken Ulman, Howard County Executive and front-runner for Lt. Governor of Maryland. But she has her own thing going on too, and that’s another reason she’s in this list! She’s been described as a ‘behind-the-scenes powerhouse’ (point #2!)

She works you know – as a subcontracts manager for IBM, and she’s a mother of two girls. Of them, she says ‘My goal is to do whatever I can to teach them to be great human beings.’ 🙂

We hang with Jaki at Wine in the Woods :)

We hang with Jaki and Ken at Wine in the Woods 🙂

And she speaks my language, as a working mother: the struggle to balance work and family life, particularly for women. She’s always popping up, looking all stylish and wotnot, at events, supporting the voluntary services and women’s issues, and school stuff. Liking your work, Jaki!

Bita Dayhoff

Bita is one those people who makes Howard County an all-round better place. She is president of the Community Action Council (CAC) of Howard County September and works tirelessly to fight hunger in the community.

She recently ran Hunger Action Month, which is in place to make a real and lasting impact on the effort to feed more Howard Countians than ever before. Before I got involved in the Food Bank, I had no idea that it was such a problem in the county. Well, it is, and I’m going to be working with Bita to play my part in helping out.

Bita tells it how it is

Since 2008, the number of individuals who visit the Howard County Food Bank has increased from 3,800 to over 22,000. In FY 2012, CAC distributed more than 470,000 pounds of food to over 22,000 individuals who visited the Food Bank.

The Howard County Food Bank, which is open for distribution three days a week and staffed by four individuals, collects donations, holds food drives, distributes and delivers food to those in need, and supports 12 pantries in Howard County. Additionally, CAC manages a community garden that gives low-income families access to fruits and vegetables they otherwise cannot afford to purchase. More than 500 individuals support the garden by spending an hour or two each Saturday from April through November to help plant, water, weed, and harvest fruits and vegetables. Last year, more than 2,000 pounds of produce was harvested from the garden. How great is that?!

Bita at the garden

About 50 percent of individuals who visit the CAC Food Bank are senior citizens on fixed income. Eighty percent are female and 40 percent make less than $20,000 per year. Some of the families are receiving SNAP funds, formerly known as Food Stamps. Did you know that the daily food budget while on SNAP is $4.50 per day or $31.50 a week?

I didn’t. It really makes you think….

Mary Kay Sigaty

I so liked Mary when I first met her, cos she’s smart and sweet and feisty and kind and warm and genuine. I wanted to be in her gang.

Mary Kay walking with Food for Tomorrow on 4th July

Mary Kay is the Council member for District 4 in Columbia and she knows all about government (‘I know that local government is about the myriad of small, everyday things that make up our “quality of life”’).

I went to her recent announcement that she’s running again for the district, and it was like a great, fun, buzzy event for friends and even if you didn’t know her that well (I don’t), she made you feel welcome and part of the gang and all warm inside.

Mary has lived and worked in Columbia since she was a young woman and always talks of her love its past, as well as its future prospects even more. When she made a pledge to make the future of Columbia and Howard County brighter, I believed in her because she has one thing I admire greatly – integrity.

Mary Kay and the very handsome Anthony Brown (lucky gal!)

Courtney Watson

Courtney and I were ‘friends’ on Facebook and followed each others’ tweets before we met in person. It was a sad event at which we met – the memorial service of the late, great Dennis J. Lane, fellow blogger, Howard County personality and all round top chap.

Courtney came up to me and gave me a hug. She didn’t need to, but it was one of those moments that it felt right, and straight away I warmed to her. She gave a moving speech at the memorial about Dennis, and I found myself nodding, agreeing and at that moment I realised why she is where she is in the world.

Courtney is in her second term of office as a Howard County Council member representing the First Council District, which includes portions of Ellicott City, Elkridge and Hanover.

She runs! Hoorah for her (and chum Tom Coale!)

She’s running for County Executive for Howard County, and is supported by Ken Ulman. I’d love to see her win. She is mesmerizing to listen to when she talks, and is everything a strong and confident female leader should be. I see shades of Hillary Clinton in her 🙂

When I ask about Courtney, I hear that she relentlessly pursued funding to maintain a top quality public school system, agricultural preservation, and the revitalization of Howard County’s downtown. I’m up for that!

Running for County Exec

Three words about Courtney? Smart, strong, sassy. And she has one of THOSE smiles – you know the one, the one that lights up her face, and yours.

Smart, sassy!

Posted in Travel | Tagged America, American, Americans, Anthony Brown, Bita Dayhoff, Blog, Britain, British, Columbia, Columbia downtown, Community Action Council, council, County Executive, Courtney Watson, Culture, Dennis J. Lane, Ellicott City, Evening in the Stacks, Food Bank, glamour, Governor of Maryland, Hillary Clinton, HoCo, hocoblogs@@@, Howard County, hunger, Hunger Action Month, Jackie Kennedy, Jaki Ulman, Ken Ulman, Lt, maryland, Mickey Gomez, style icon, Tom, UK, USA, voluntary, volunteering, Women’s Giving Circle, working mothers | 1 Comment

Desperate English Housewife in Washington, chapter 270

Posted on October 23, 2013 by ukdesperatehousewifeusa

Cider and hard cider

It’s called cider in the U.S, but not as we Brits know it. Especially us Brits who went to school in the Cider Capital of Somerset 🙂

A Brit expat wrote this recently about a cider experience in the U.S: ‘One big faux pas I made was at a bbq….had only been Stateside three weeks and we were served food and drink. All was going well until one of the wives asked if my kids would like some cider……they were 4 and 6 years old so I blew my top! No idea that ‘cider’ over here was apple juice. Had never heard of hard cider. Oh my!!’

This baint be cider, me luvver, not as we knows it anyhows (that should be read in a West Country accent)

Yes, it’s true. I found this out on a crisp and cold December evening at a Christmas market in a lovely New York City square.

‘Ah, warm apple cider!’ I declared. ‘Make it two please!’
A sip later…. ‘This tastes just like apple juice.’ Hmmm.
‘Excuse me, has this got alcohol in?’
‘No ma’am, it does not.’

Oh, disappointed of Somerset.

So if you want REAL cider in the USA you have to get HARD cider and alongside that you can get HARD lemonade (that’s an alcopop to us Brits).

Now I know the difference between hard and soft 😉

Mike’s hard one 😉

This was my recent cider conversation:

‘Would you like a hard one or a soft one, ma’am?’
(Snigger).’A hard one, please.’ (More sniggers).

Yes, I’m talking about cider, folks! Gawd bless America and its hard cider (scrumpy)!

Abandoned Amusement Park…..

Looking for something very, very spooky for Halloween?! What about this place on your roadtrip?!!!

Oh my! An abandoned amusement park…. ‘Yikes, Scooby!‘

Creepy….

WTF?!

West Virginia’s site of abandoned Lake Shawnee Amusement Park shut down back in 1966 and has laid in ruins ever since. Many believe Lake Shawnee to be horribly cursed. The park was built upon the site of a desecrated Native American burial ground, and was the location of a brutal massacre of settlers. This week it opens for tours.

This is the blurb for it: ‘An archaeological dig has revealed a Native American burial ground containing the bodies of 13 people, mostly children. In the 18th century, the area’s first European settlers arrived, the Clay family. The settlers were attacked by Native Americans, two of their children died in the attack, and a third was later burnt at the stake. In the 1920s the land was purchased and transformed into an amusement park.

‘Over the years, several tragic accidents happened at the park, including the death of a little girl on the mechanical swings and a drowning death in Lake Shawnee. The park was then closed. Some paranormal investigators have visited the site and claim to hear children laughing and the swings moving all by themselves.

‘Because surely wind couldn’t make swings move like that…..’

Super spooky, I love it!

Woooooooo….!

Posted in Travel | Tagged abandoned theme park, alcohol, alcopop, America, American, Americans, Blog, Britain, British, Christmas market, cider, creepy, Culture, expat, Halloween, hard cider, hocoblogs@@@, Lake Shawnee, Lake Shawnee Amusement Park, lemonade, lifestyle, Native Americans, New York, paranormal, roadtrip, Scooby, Somerset, UK, USA | 6 Comments

Desperate English Housewife in Washington, chapter 269

Posted on October 22, 2013 by ukdesperatehousewifeusa

Fall food

In case we had forgotten that it was Pumpkin Season, otherwise known as Fall, here is a coffee shop menu reminder.

Delicious or non?

And lo, they have used the word ‘Autumn’!

Candy corn update

So, after yesterday’s blog post another food phenomenon was revealed to me:

NO WAY!

These are Candy Corn Oreo Stuffed White Chocolate Chip Cookies. Apparently Candy Corn Oreos hit the supermarket shelves this week, and this is a homemade version. If you want the recipe, here it is….

Make of it what you will 😉

Locker rooms

So today I went to a local college to teach a cardio class. And as I was getting changed I saw the words LOCKER ROOM on a door. As weird as this sounds, I had to go in to see this locker room, since I have never been inside a USA locker room (note, it was the girls’ locker room, not the fellas’ one – sadly). And we don’t really have locker rooms as such in the UK colleges – not that I remember, anyway.

Anyway, the reason I wanted to see it is because the locker room is pretty iconic in teenage TV shows and movies. Girls cry about their boyfriends in there, they tell the bully to lay off, they make friends, break friends, and all sorts of shenanigans happen in the locker room. It is the place of coming-of-age for teenagers (yes, Glee 😉 ).

So, this is the locker room (there was no one in there so no one wondered why on earth I was taking pictures).

Locker room kits

Ah, the locker room

So now I have been in a USA college locker room. Check 😉

Posted in Travel | Tagged America, American, Americans, Autumn, Blog, Britain, British, candy corn, college, cookies, expat, fall, Glee, hocoblogs@@@, iconic, locker room, Oreos, pumpkins, teenagers, tv shows, UK, USA | 5 Comments

Desperate English Housewife in Washington, chapter 268

Posted on October 21, 2013 by ukdesperatehousewifeusa

Understanding candy corn

These little Halloween blighters are everywhere….

Yes, these things

…and they are ANNOYINGLY addictive.

And then I saw these fellas alongside the candy corns….

Pumpkin candy!

Oh, how on earth will I get through Halloween with these things in every nook and cranny and place I turn?

So what is the deal with all this candy corn?

Candy corn was created in the 1880s by George Renninger of the Philadelphia, PA-based Wunderle Candy Company. The three colors of the candy – a broad yellow end, a tapered orange center, and a pointed white tip – mimic the appearance of kernels of corn (apparently).

And yes, you guessed it….candy corn is made primarily from sugar, corn syrup, wax, artificial coloring and binders. Bleurgh.

As I write this it blog only 9 days and 6 hours remain until Halloween Country in the United States of America.

It is a big ‘holiday’. And the kids have the day off school the day after Halloween, I’m guessing so that they can deal with the self-induced slump caused by their sugar hangover.

Let’s not forget that in the UK Halloween really is a non-event, unless you are a 14-year old teenager with bugger all to do and decide to spend the evening knocking on the doors of old people and asking for a quid (treat) or you’ll lob a raw egg at their double glazing (trick).

Ah, happy Halloween! 🙂

Posted in Travel | Tagged America, American, Blog, British, candy corn, Culture, England, George Renninger, Halloween, hocoblogs@@@, pumpkins, school, sugar hangover, teenager, trick or treat, UK, United States of America, USA, Wunderle Candy Company | 6 Comments

Desperate English Housewife in Washington, chapter 267

Posted on October 20, 2013 by ukdesperatehousewifeusa

Florida

So, we return from our Florida holibobs!

Butter beer at Hogwarts

The bloomin’ log flume

Yes, the sun shone and it was super hot.
Yes, we got stuck at the top of the Hulk rollercoaster, and yes, it was scary…..
Yes, we saw geckos.
Yes, there are a lot of fast food chains.
Yes, I get a kick out of hugging people dressed up as movie or cartoon characters.
Yes, we got wet.
Yes, there were a lot of Brits at Universal.
Yes, we did rescue a turtle who was walking slowly across the road and very nearly getting squished.
Yes, Florida is like the British equivalent of having the Canaries near to us (for us in Howard County, anyway).
Hoorah for Florida!

And no, we did not do Disney, except for Downtown Disney (next year we’ll do Disney).

Thing One and Thing Two and Me!

Downtown Disney

And the main reason I like these places in the USA, which, let’s face it, the Americans do so well? Escapism. Fun.

Sure, they are bright, bawdy, brash and they eat up the power and energy of the land in a not-very-green way (guilt trip ensues) but they are a hell of a lot of fun for the tourist.

Totally!

While I was away…

1. The government re-opened its doors! And about flippin’ time too!

My friend sent me a link to a commentary about America in the context of the government shutdown, by none other than Monty Python comedian Eric Idle. What’s he got to say about it all I wondered? Surely he must be something spouting forth something Monty-Python-esque like this…?

Dennis: Come and see the violence inherent in the system. Help! Help! I’m being repressed!
King Arthur: Bloody peasant!
Dennis: Oh, what a giveaway! Did you hear that? Did you hear that, eh? That’s what I’m on about! Did you see him repressing me? You saw him, Didn’t you?

Mais non! He says this….!

‘Carl Reiner on Twitter last week, worried about the current government shutdown, said this was cause for great concern in the world’s leading democracy. And I thought, leading? Who’s following? The answer would appear to be no one.

After one of the recent school shootings, a young mother said to me, “What must you think of us? You must think we’re all mad.” Mad certainly, but not all of you.

Half of America seems to be entirely enviable: movies, books, TV, arts, liberal democratic institutions, great centers of learning and research, gay marriage, social freedoms, etc., etc.

The other half does seem to be, well, nuts.’

Oooh, controversial! He also calls the Tea Party the Mad Hater’s Tea Party, which totally tickled my bones!

Anyway, here’s the article in full…..

Monty Python says it how it is…

2. Fall descended

See?! All the leaves are browny/orangey/yellowy (and the sky is blue!)

Fall is here!

Travels with Charley

I bought my other half John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley: In Search of America, which is a travelogue written by American author John Steinbeck. It depicts a 1960 road trip around the United States made by Steinbeck, in the company of his French standard poodle, Charley. Steinbeck wrote that he was moved by a desire to see his country on a personal level, since he made his living writing about it. He wrote of having many questions going into his journey, the main one being, “What are Americans like today?” During his journey he found that he had concerns about much of the “new America” he witnessed.

I confess I bought him this book because I also want to read it before we go and see the ‘real America’….

And I think now my other half is planning our road trip next year in Steinbeck style….we just need a poodle 😉

Steinbeck and Charley

Expats in the USA

If anyone ever has doubts moving to the USA as an expat, I say it’s primarily about a union between you and a whole country, and in order for you and the USA to be compatible, you’ve got to take a deep breath and be like this (below), as much as you can. Only then will you fully appreciate it.

That is the end of today’s sermon 😉

This is how to be an expat

Posted in Travel | Tagged America, American, Americans, Autumn, Baltimore, Blog, Britain, British, Brits, Canaries, Culture, Disney, Eric Idle, expat, expats, fall, fast food, florida, food, government shutdown, hocoblogs@@@, Howard County, John Steinbck, lifestyle, Monty Python, poodle, road trip, rollercoaster, Travel, Travels with Charley, UK, United States of America, Universal Studios, USA, weather | 4 Comments

Desperate English Housewife in Washington, chapter 266

Posted on October 16, 2013 by ukdesperatehousewifeusa

Rock, paper, scissors, gun

Yes, this is the new version of the old favourite playground game ‘Rock, paper, scissors’.

When playing this game with Harry to while away the hours on the [actually very short] trip to Florida my five-year old son promptly added ‘Gun – I win!’ and mimicked a gun shooting at me.

Goodness me, I said (or words to that effect – I am not one for words of the mild variety).

Guns, boys, games…..interesting combo. I know not if the ‘gun’ is an added extra in the American version of ‘Rock, paper, scissors’ or if it’s just evolved to make it a little bit more ‘interesting’.

However it has evolved or if it is an American thing I don’t know, but I do know this: I definitely won the next round by pulling out all the stops by mimicking a great big f*ck off machine gun, much to his surprise 😉

The old fashioned way!

Florida, tourism central

Hoorah, we’re working the tourism trail Orlando-style! The sunshine state does not disappoint, with its heat, alligators, fast cars, theme parks and spikey tropical frigging grass that cuts up your feet (note to self – wear flip flops).

Happy to be here as a tourist person thingymajig

Anyway, here’s my [tongue-in-cheek] overview of the theme parks so far:

1. Universal Studios. Argh, the wait times! Did my noggin in.
2. The rides. Give me a roller coaster over a simulated ride anytime. Being in an enclosed area with computer generated stuff thrust constantly in my face and being randomly jerking about in spasms, all whilst sat next to a stranger holds little appeal in comparison to being flipped about inside out and upside down whilst screaming at the top of my lungs, holding on for dear life and feeling like I want to puke up my Dippin’ Dots, all whilst being sat next to a stranger.
3. People watching. Yes, totally marvelous for people watching. Why are all the Brits at the theme parks Northern (apart from us)? I never know the answer to this.
4. Parade peeps. I think all the gals who smile and laugh and charm the kiddiwinks whilst wearing their ‘family faces’ during the 5 o’clock parade can’t wait to rip off their flower hats and tutus and change up their smile and laugh and charm the blokes with their ‘stripper faces’ in the strip joints during their 10 o’clock parade (and rip off their whatevers…). And earn some proper money. I love those gals and guys in the parade. I wish I had been one of them in my gap year 😉
5. Killer whale and dolphin shows. Yep, there is a lump in the throat when I watch these things and I want to take all of them home and love them forever. But the shows are all much more choreographed than I remember them being 30 years ago. And I think I was just a little bit sick in my mouth when I watched the four male trainers sort of dancing to a song about saving the planet whilst wearing their wetsuits and non-slip sandals, (although I totally dig the sentiment, just not the execution of the message). But hey, it was a small, cheesy price to pay for some an incredible whale show.
6. Dolphins. They do not respond to my call in the same way my cats do. Fact.

I love these beautiful creatures

America, I have to say it – you are King of the Theme Parks!

Other random stuff in Florida

I have noticed that the fire hydrants are orange in Orange County, FL. Is this on purpose?! I hope so, cos I like it 🙂

See, tis orange!

We took a little walk round by our villa…..to be confronted by a sign:

I hear ya!

I’m still waiting to see one up close…..although even I won’t break the rules to get entice one up and out of the water!

Denny’s – it’s everywhere! Hoorah!

Woop, woop!

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Desperate English Housewife in Washington, chapter 265

Posted on October 12, 2013 by ukdesperatehousewifeusa

Being a tourist

Yep, it’s time to be a tourist in full swing.

So, hello Universal Studios and Florida sunshine, and goodbye rain and Maryland for a while.

This is the ultimate ‘being-a-tourist-in-America’ thing, along with Disney.

And so, tourism and commercialism prevail and I will be using the time not only for going on crazy rides, but for all sorts of people watching, and catching snippets of conversations from British and American tourists alike during my time here. Most excellent.

Oooh, hoorah!

Expat experiences from a while back

I posted my interview with Live, Work, Travel USA on a ‘UK Expats in the USA’ Facebook group and it got an interesting reaction from some British expats who had been out here a long time. Some of them couldn’t believe I didn’t miss British foods, some of them recalled how lonely they had felt as military brides coming out here and not knowing anyone, and, of course, how they dealt with the culture shock.

I know my experience is different and whilst I have a wholeheartedly positive outlook and attitude to embracing it all, I understand that for some people it’s not all happiness and adventure.

I wanted to get these expats’ perspectives about moving to the USA when times were different, how they felt, what it was like feeling isolated or lonely, without the internet, being away from friends and family and all the new and strange things they encountered.

Some of the comments are very interesting indeed, and I thought I would share some of them with you….

British expats comments on moving to the USA….

‘I think the hardest thing for me when I left England the first time was the loneliness. Not knowing when or if I would ever see my family or England again. That one phone call on special occasions and missing all the special events back home. My husband was a Buck Sergeant when we got married. By the time the bills were paid and groceries bought that was all the money gone. He had to get a part-time job to buy the stuff for the nursery when I was expecting [my son]. Times were really hard back then but you get through it.’

‘I think we probably all looked on coming here as a great adventure and got out and did things when we could afford to. But a lot of couples didn’t have the money to take trips or go to the game on a regular basis. Many of the older ones lived paycheck to paycheck, especially military brides.’

Bath

‘I think one of the hardest things for me is not having any other British people to talk to or who understand where I am coming from. It also sucks not knowing when you will be able to go back to visit.. it’s been over two years for me now and I still have no clue when I could afford it!’

‘Really liked your interview Claire. Because you have a positive attitude you will enjoy your three-year stay here. Having an open mind changes everything. When I first came here, many years ago, I was a very snobby Brit! It took me a long time to get that no one is any better or worse than anyone else just because of their cultural background. I’m in the Pacific NW and love it! I do get nostalgic for the UK but know that what I miss is no longer there… BTW, I have family in Bath and stay there when I have gone back. Beautiful city.’

‘I wouldn’t say I was snobby when I first got here, and I tried very hard to get involved and make friends BUT I also spent a lot of time comparing life here to things at home and I think that contributed heavily in how miserable I was the first 8 months here. In my defense a little… Alaska was a huge culture shock.. I had visited GA, WA and FL before for three months (way back in 2008) and Alaska is a world of it’s own.’

‘When I came here a long time ago I had culture shock to I was from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk – a small town – I just wanted to go home, I am used to things now but still miss some things and family in England. I live in Florida – the sun always shines, but it gets very hot in the summer I have made some nice friends and have my family.’

Bury St Edmunds

‘I’m from Bury and to me it’s the exact type of town that makes me miss the UK.. There are no towns up here…. you can’t park up and walk around the shops unless you want to walk around all the tourist shops of “down town”. I miss real towns and villages the most.’

‘My first experience of the states was not at all like Claire’s. Huge culture shock of moving from a sleepy Suffolk village to the bright lights and 24hr madness of Vegas. I well remember the days of living pay check to pay check, of one call a month home incredible homesickness, missing mum when I became pregnant.’

Vegas

‘It [America] was not really the place tho’ I thought it was then. Looking back it was that nobody I met knew, cared or was interested in England, just somehow resentful that I had liked it and wanted to go back, which they felt insulted by, I suppose. I think anybody foreign was thought of as coming from a third world country, and of no interest at that.’

‘Coming from spring time in England to the barren landscape of the Nevada desert I was ready to go home on the next plane. My parents did not have a telephone so I would have to ring the neighbour and she would go round and get Mum so half my phone call was used before I ever got to hear her voice. Sent a telegram when my daughter was born because I had telephoned her just two weeks earlier for Christmas and could not afford to do it again.’

Nevada desert

See…..so very different. Some of those comments make me a bit sad, especially because there is a running theme of loneliness, and I guess in the ’80s and early ’90s it just wasn’t what it is now. Yes, of course it has been lonely for me at times, especially at the beginning, but that just spurred me on to get out there and meet people and get involved in things within the community.

One comment really struck me – that one expat found the Americans to have no interest in the British. I have found the exact opposite here in Maryland – they’re all up for a bit of British banter and chat!

I do recongise how times have changed, however, and I am eternally grateful for the Interweb, I do confess.

Posted in Travel | Tagged America, American, Americans, attitude, Blog, Britain, British, Bury St Edmunds, Culture, Disney, England, expat, expats, Facebook, florida, friends and family, hocoblogs@@@, home, Interweb, Las Vegas, lifestyle, Live Work Travel USA, loneliness, military, money, Nevada desert, Orlando, People, phone call, positive outlook, snobby, telegram, Thoughts, tourism, tourist, Travel, Universal Studios, USA | 3 Comments

Desperate English Housewife in Washington, chapter 264

Posted on October 11, 2013 by ukdesperatehousewifeusa

Fall Traditions

Fall is brilliant in the USA – it’s like the Americans can always find an excuse to find something to celebrate.

Like this…..

Paul Bunyan thing

What’s this all about? In Fort Bragg, California on Labor Day weekend from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, this festival honours the industry’s famous life-logger, Paul Bunyan (him of American folklore) and celebrates the community’s history. The three-day festival includes a logging show competition where participants battle for prize money in categories such as log rolling, axe throwing, chainsaw bucking and hand chopping. Other weekend events feature a forest exposition, two parades, tricycle races, an ugly dog contest, horseshoe tournament, pie sale and water fight. More Paul Bunyan days occur across the nation at various times throughout the year.

Wow, how about that for a truly American experience! An ugly dog contest?! Hahahaha! 🙂

Check the others out!

Brit / American podcast!

Featuring me! Yey! 😉

Greetings From Merryland

I can TALK (a lot) so they cut it down (we were chatting for an hour!) – but do listen to it all, cos it’s worth it, and I start nattering about 13 mins in. How much do I love drive-thru banking! I can’t pronounce Cinco de Mayo! It was hilarious fun! Get a cuppa and listen in, folks! Enjoy 🙂

How does a Brit say ‘Maryland’…?

The Washington Redskins Debate

There is a debate taking place in the NFL, the media and pretty much every social media outlet in the USA about the Washington Redskins and whether or not the name of the team is insulting and disrespectful.

For the past 14 years, Dan Snyder, principal owner of the Washington Redskins football franchise, has defied calls from activists and journalists to change his team’s name and Indian logo to something less “offensive.”

The current logo

President Barack Obama jumped into the dispute too, saying that if he owned the team, he would consider changing the name. The name is one which American Indians and others have long pilloried as racist for a long while.

Reports today say that the days of the Washington Redskins are coming to an end.

Whether you think the name is an outrage or that the debate is a contrived controversy is irrelevant. The name isn’t going to last and likely will be changed soon, says USA today.