Europe: Notes to self

I already forgot so much! Its only been a few weeks!

Don't forget about what you loved:
1. They don't stare at you, yet you know they care and would help if you needed.
2. They are energy conscious: small cars, no a/c till July 1st, in the hotel -all electricity is controlled by your card key, so when you leave, the lights go off! , they walk, they share bikes, if they must, they drive small cars and motorcycles. There are streets only open for pedestrians.
3. They are slender: No fat people walking around, they give smaller portions in food, eat slowly, walk, walk, walk.
4. They speak quietly: Only heard loud voices from Americans!
5. They are kind, even in traffic jams, there is a sense of community, no road rage.
6. They dress well and modestly. Women rarely even have sleeveless on, no low cut necklines, short shorts.
7. They don't seem to be hung up on breasts, T&A, plastic surgery, sex, many are flat chested but that is fine. Sex seems to just be another factor of life, not an obsession.
8. Pace of living, even in the city, is not stressed, seems to be a natural flow of its synergy.
9. There were few people who used cell phones in public.
10. Kids well behaved, even teens in the streets.
11. Generally safe.
12. Rich in history, everywhere!
13. They don't waste as much: eating all of the animal parts, recycle everywhere, each trash can is separated into 3 parts.

Don't forget about what you did not like:
1. People do not smile.
2. No ice in drinks (I didn't really care, but Bob did)
3. There is lack of customer service attitude and personnel. Rare to see someone offering help in the train stations, airport, stores.
4. Some places cars do not stop, not as organized in their street and highway systems.
5. There is mainly meat, bread or rice in restaurants. Not much selection.
6. Hotels are not equipped with the usual American tastes, very bare, only essentials.
7. Everything is smaller, doorways, halls, cars, chairs, people, cute but not if you are over six feet with long legs.
8. Expect to pay extra for everything, esp the tourist attractions.
9. Bull fighting.
10. No number system for waiting, everyone just stands around and hopes to be noticed next.
11. Want to invent a plastic see through bubble for Americans to wear so the people do not crowd you, NO PERSONAL SPACE ALLOWED.
12. Not much flavor in foods.
13. You cannot depend on consistency, or information to be announced, you are all alone if the train schedules change, gates of planes will change, you must be a lover of spontanous living.

Don't forget the weird stuff:
1. You better love mayonnaise, it is everywhere on everything, even when you ask for ketchup, it will not be red.
2. Although people dress modestly, at the beach they are not hesitant to be naked or almost, this includes both genders.
3. Lots of churches but not much faith.
4. Barely saw any Black people. Chinese only sold illegal DVDs and had restaurants.
5. Kinda cool and weird, every city had its own old castle and wall.
6. Everything is room temperature, food, drinks, fruit.