European and US observations

Well, I just got back yesterday. Long flights, long nights, and delays.

Hit the ground running as soon as we arrived. Operation Cluster Futz is what I nicknamed it. No use in getting excited. Happens with all big military muscle movements but these guys seems to have really adding some salt to the wounds of the wait and confusion. Old school German barracks with bunks and heat that could not be adjusted. Want less heat just open the windows. Hot outside-tough shit. Top bunk was only like 3' from the bottom bunk. Felt like a cramped ship. Of course the snoring guys fell asleep first every night. Bought a fan from the PX and gave it to an active duty guy I met and got along with while I was there. White noise helped along with an eye mask and ear plugs. Travel prepared.

Got there and was on days for the first 4 days then got switched to nights, then back to days 3 days before leaving and now I'm back on US Central time. My sleep timer is way off. We all worked 14+ hour days during the exercise. Glad to be home.

Had one day off at the end and toured Neuremberg (sp?) and Hitlers old Congress Hall. Lot of walking but it was a good day out and I wanted to be tired when night came. Stayed at a hotel by the airport on our own dime to get out of the barracks.

General observations about Germany and the US.

1. Euro is expensive. I remember when it was 1:1. Now it is like 1.5 to 1USD. OUCH!

2. Food and the pace of a meal is leisurely. I've been to Germany, Korea, Italy many times but forgot about the sanctity of a nice leisurely meal. Beer is outstanding.

3. More pretty girls than I'm used to in the US. Don't get me wrong, I love a classic US beauty but the women (and men) are generally thinner and dress more sylishly. You can spot the US tourists and GI's a mile away.

4. German countryside and towns are well structured and not 'loud' like the US. You won't find all sorts of billboards and crap cluttering up the area.

5. Nudity is no big deal. In the US we are uptight about it. You see it in most newspapers, on tv, on the few billboards/ads that are public, and even in the sauna of the hotel we were at. Those two stewardesses were very cute. :wink:

6. Chicago O'Hare blows. The TSA asshats were very rude to the foreigners coming over. I was ashamed. We just take it for granted that people know where to go and speak English. Hello, it is a fricking international airport. Have multi lingual signs in the passport area.

7. "Ugly Americans" is alive and strong especially among younger people. I'm not going to go into the multiple examples of disrespect for the elderly, the loudness, the rude actions, the failure to listen and then act shocked when you are corrected, etc. etc. Still a huge fan of the USA and all it has done for the world in general but we really are failing in teaching common sense and courtesy.

Good to be home.

Welcome back Sarge!

It sounds like the military hasn't changed much from when I was in. The phase "Hurry up and wait" still seems to be the order of the day.

Interesting take on Europe. My wife and I were possible going to go there sometime next year but with the falling dollar, we might not be able to afford it.

#1: Agreed ~ but good for us ~ more tourism here in the US if the tourists just don't go back with horror stories about #6...

#2: Yes! I'm sick of being "rushed" at US restaurants! I used to wait tables (2 months is how long that lasted) it didn't bother me when people took their time, the hard part is you have to tell the kitchen to slow down. It did bother me if they took there time and then didn't tip. 10-20% before taxes is nice but you'd be surprised how many people leave next to nothing.

#3 Yea well the girls in Europe used to be better, everyone seems to be getting fatter. Was at the hospital the other day and an only overweight (not obese) person was sobbing because he was loosing his leg... (Adult Diabetes)

#4 Agreed. I miss Stuttgart for that reason. Mature, but modern in the right places and plenty of spots to "duck out of site."

#5 Nudity and sexuality is okay ~ endless talk about sex, cheating, etc etc etc is what gets to me. There is plenty of smutt of TV in the US without showing any skin ~ what a shame.

#6 & #7 I think this goes hand in hand. I call it snowboarder/hip hop culture. Bunch of egotistical, self centered, lame brains, with no real honest identity other than how low their pants ride and how "loud" they can be. They expect/demand to be showed respect first, rather than giving it out.

Don't get me started...