As I pointed out last week, Australia and America are incredibly similar countries, with just a few quirky little differences to make a visit truly extraordinary. With Andrew and Belinda-Ann in town for my wedding, we had a fair share of laughs as we worked out these discrepancies.
For example, consider their reaction as we drove through Monroe for the grand tour: Apparently, it is something of a joke in Australia that we here in the U.S. name our grocery stores after a happy-faced pig. Andrew and Belinda's son insisted that they go to, and take a picture of, a Piggly Wiggly store. After all, as they informed me, "Piggly Wiggly is so ... AMERICAN!" Turns out, so is peanut butter, especially when spread with jelly on bread or mixed with ice cream. I could not get my friends to even try such things, even after reminding them of the sheer awfulness of vegemite. Who wants to smear their toast with salty yeast sludge, anyway?
In walking through Pick 'n Save, several things caught the Aussies' eyes. First, was the incredible array of pre-made food. Belinda-Ann pointed to a birthday cake, all decorated and ready to go.
"That's incredible; at home, you'd buy all the ingredients and make it yourself!"
We walked past the frozen foods section. I turned, realizing that I had once again lost my friends, this time by the bagels. Andrew articulated their thoughts, "I've always heard that Americans like choice, but bloody hell! How many varieties of bagels do you need? I see regular, low-fat, cholesterol-free, then all the flavors like strawberry, blueberry, so on! Incredible!" Truth be told, the bagel selection was nothing. Why, just look at the frozen breakfast waffles!
Lastly, we ducked into the beer cooler. I picked out some micro-brews, then headed to the wine selection. Again, my friends were aghast, but this time in a good way: "Hey, Two Hands, Yellowtail, Jacob's Creek; these are all Australian wines! You have a lot of wines from Australia!" This is true, more now than ever - why, just walk down the rows of any wine shop and you will see countless labels from Australia. I explained: "Well, that's because during the war in Iraq, France opposed practically everything the United States was doing. So, in order to retaliate, we Americans started buying Australian wine, instead of French. Turns out, Aussie wine is better, so we never stopped!"
Having completed our shopping, we headed home. Now was the formal introduction to America - time to taste her beers. To make a gross, sweeping generalization, I will say Australians tend to drink bitter beers; there are no wheat brews, no "blonde ales," and no truly dark beers like hearty hops. In the 18 months I lived down under, I would say that bitter beer, and rum with coke, were the drinks of choice (so much so, that you can actually buy pre-mixed rum and coke in kegs! Heaven!). Well folks, by the time their tenure was up, and having tried his share of wheat, IPA, flavored malts, and light ales, Andrew was quite comfortable ordering up a New Glarus Spotted Cow. So far as I know, they were never tortured into a Miller or Bud Light - these are my friends, after all!
Of course, I have to point out America's political reception overseas. Folks, if you hear on the news that our new president is universally loved and unconditionally adored, don't buy it. But, don't take my word for it! During Andrew and Belinda's stay, the inevitable question arose, "So, what does Australia think of our new president?" Two audible groans later, I got an answer, "Well he's turned out to be a bit like K-Rudd." (Note: "K-Rudd" is the unaffectionate name given to Australia's new prime minister, Kevin Rudd, who shares quite a few political similarities to our Obama). Andrew continued, "It seems like both K-Rudd and Obama were elected because they were going to save the planet. Turns out, there's more hot air associated with them than anything else. Now, Australia is getting quite a laugh because Obama is trying to push this whole health care thing on you Americans, even though no one really wants it!" Touché, my friend, touché.
Well, folks, before I knew it, the week was over and it was time for me to get married - where on earth did this summer go? The wedding itself was perfect; Ashley and I could not have asked for a better day, or ceremony. The day was only made better by the genuine support bestowed upon us by family and friends alike, including people like Andrew and Belinda-Ann. At the wedding, the corsages and Ashley's bouquet included a flower called Kangaroo Paw - a thoughtful and beautiful suggestion on the part of Ashley's mother.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Belinda-Ann presented Ashley with a gift, "In Australia, it is traditional to give the bride a horseshoe, for good luck. You see; the horseshoe hangs in such a way as to hold good luck throughout the years of your marriage."
As I sit on my balcony typing this article (and enjoying the sensational September weather!), I can see through our bedroom window. There, hanging up, is a gift from Australia, a horseshoe of delicate lace with a crystal charm and butterfly ribbon. Reflecting on the weeks past, this gift has done more than its fair share of bringing and holding good fortune. And, since I know Andrew and Belinda are reading this, with a little extra luck maybe my wife and I will see you at Christmas time for our honeymoon?
- Dan Wegmueller is a columnist for The Monroe Times. He can be reached at dwegs@tds.net.
For example, consider their reaction as we drove through Monroe for the grand tour: Apparently, it is something of a joke in Australia that we here in the U.S. name our grocery stores after a happy-faced pig. Andrew and Belinda's son insisted that they go to, and take a picture of, a Piggly Wiggly store. After all, as they informed me, "Piggly Wiggly is so ... AMERICAN!" Turns out, so is peanut butter, especially when spread with jelly on bread or mixed with ice cream. I could not get my friends to even try such things, even after reminding them of the sheer awfulness of vegemite. Who wants to smear their toast with salty yeast sludge, anyway?
In walking through Pick 'n Save, several things caught the Aussies' eyes. First, was the incredible array of pre-made food. Belinda-Ann pointed to a birthday cake, all decorated and ready to go.
"That's incredible; at home, you'd buy all the ingredients and make it yourself!"
We walked past the frozen foods section. I turned, realizing that I had once again lost my friends, this time by the bagels. Andrew articulated their thoughts, "I've always heard that Americans like choice, but bloody hell! How many varieties of bagels do you need? I see regular, low-fat, cholesterol-free, then all the flavors like strawberry, blueberry, so on! Incredible!" Truth be told, the bagel selection was nothing. Why, just look at the frozen breakfast waffles!
Lastly, we ducked into the beer cooler. I picked out some micro-brews, then headed to the wine selection. Again, my friends were aghast, but this time in a good way: "Hey, Two Hands, Yellowtail, Jacob's Creek; these are all Australian wines! You have a lot of wines from Australia!" This is true, more now than ever - why, just walk down the rows of any wine shop and you will see countless labels from Australia. I explained: "Well, that's because during the war in Iraq, France opposed practically everything the United States was doing. So, in order to retaliate, we Americans started buying Australian wine, instead of French. Turns out, Aussie wine is better, so we never stopped!"
Having completed our shopping, we headed home. Now was the formal introduction to America - time to taste her beers. To make a gross, sweeping generalization, I will say Australians tend to drink bitter beers; there are no wheat brews, no "blonde ales," and no truly dark beers like hearty hops. In the 18 months I lived down under, I would say that bitter beer, and rum with coke, were the drinks of choice (so much so, that you can actually buy pre-mixed rum and coke in kegs! Heaven!). Well folks, by the time their tenure was up, and having tried his share of wheat, IPA, flavored malts, and light ales, Andrew was quite comfortable ordering up a New Glarus Spotted Cow. So far as I know, they were never tortured into a Miller or Bud Light - these are my friends, after all!
Of course, I have to point out America's political reception overseas. Folks, if you hear on the news that our new president is universally loved and unconditionally adored, don't buy it. But, don't take my word for it! During Andrew and Belinda's stay, the inevitable question arose, "So, what does Australia think of our new president?" Two audible groans later, I got an answer, "Well he's turned out to be a bit like K-Rudd." (Note: "K-Rudd" is the unaffectionate name given to Australia's new prime minister, Kevin Rudd, who shares quite a few political similarities to our Obama). Andrew continued, "It seems like both K-Rudd and Obama were elected because they were going to save the planet. Turns out, there's more hot air associated with them than anything else. Now, Australia is getting quite a laugh because Obama is trying to push this whole health care thing on you Americans, even though no one really wants it!" Touché, my friend, touché.
Well, folks, before I knew it, the week was over and it was time for me to get married - where on earth did this summer go? The wedding itself was perfect; Ashley and I could not have asked for a better day, or ceremony. The day was only made better by the genuine support bestowed upon us by family and friends alike, including people like Andrew and Belinda-Ann. At the wedding, the corsages and Ashley's bouquet included a flower called Kangaroo Paw - a thoughtful and beautiful suggestion on the part of Ashley's mother.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Belinda-Ann presented Ashley with a gift, "In Australia, it is traditional to give the bride a horseshoe, for good luck. You see; the horseshoe hangs in such a way as to hold good luck throughout the years of your marriage."
As I sit on my balcony typing this article (and enjoying the sensational September weather!), I can see through our bedroom window. There, hanging up, is a gift from Australia, a horseshoe of delicate lace with a crystal charm and butterfly ribbon. Reflecting on the weeks past, this gift has done more than its fair share of bringing and holding good fortune. And, since I know Andrew and Belinda are reading this, with a little extra luck maybe my wife and I will see you at Christmas time for our honeymoon?
- Dan Wegmueller is a columnist for The Monroe Times. He can be reached at dwegs@tds.net.
