4 Observations

4 Initial Cultural Observations: 

Portions.  American food portions are RIDICULOUSLY humongous!  We wonder about our obesity epidemic but it seems obviously related to our 24oz drinks and pothole cover plates of food.   If I must be honest, I love it - but, wow...  I mean, wow...   I also think the food is so tasty, but in a somewhat diabolical way.  It just seems as though the food is engineered to assault our bodies with a huge amount of salt and sugar and yumminess that makes it SO HARD to resist.  The Kiwi food we've been exposed to is a little bit bland, but perhaps just not as full-on addicting as US food. 

Left/Right.  Initially I found myself running into lots and lots of pedestrians with the walk on the left side habit.  Yesterday, 2.5 weeks into my trip, I found myself driving on the wrong side of a quiet residential road near my parents' house (still going head on with another vehicle). Intersections concern me, and I find that before crossing the road I look right, then left, then right, then left again, then right once more before finally crossing.  

Running Courtesy.  Runners in the US are SO FRIENDLY!  I love smiling and waving at all my fellow runners.  I was running in DC and taken aback by all of the friendly smiles and waves I got.  In Wellington I've slowly ceased acknowledging any fellow runners that I pass on the road.  I miss the shared camaraderie that a simple wave encouraged. 

Toilet Bowl Water.  Toilet bowl water in the US is much higher than in NZ.  On one hand, I've continually felt bad for all of the wasted water with every flush.  On the other hand, I don't miss the over-reliance on a toilet bowl brushes that low water necessitates.