It's quite sad - I never thought I'd see the day really.. But as this trip draws to a close it is a stark reality I have found myself contemplating. Sure, the shopping is good but we now have terrific online shopping to take care of that whimsical part of my love affair with the US of A.
San Francisco was great and I'm glad we visited. But the truth is the things I used to find endearing I now find annoying. I think I started to feel this way after our September 2011 trip to New York. I know most people love NY and while I have to be honest and say I am glad I went, I am left feeling nonplussed about it as a holiday destination. If I want to encounter rude people I can stay in Sydney for that. If I want to encounter outrageous crowds I can visit Pitt Street Mall on Christmas Eve 20 minutes before the shops close (you know what I mean, men trying to find a gift at the last minute, harried mothers trying to get home and of course, people going into melt down that the shops will be closed for a WHOLE 24 to 36 hours...).
Anyway, back to San Francisco. I'd describe it as similar to Melbourne - which regular readers of my blog know I LOVE! But there are only so many expensive meals you can eat and rude Americans you can stomach (okay, they are not all rude but SFO seemed to have a high percentage of people who really disliked tourists). It's a tourist destination people! If you don't like your job in hospitality, go work somewhere else!
So I think our aim for a green card died a silent death on this trip. I've realised I am very happy to live in the land of the lucky. I am going to appreciate our beaches and overall lifestyle more. I am going to shop online if I feel the need. And I am going to think about a trip to Europe. People tell me it is a crime I haven't been but quite frankly, up until now, the thought of travelling for 30 hours to get somewhere has been horrifying. I guess I will have to do what the rest of society do and suck it up. And maybe save to travel business class.
P.S. Please note; Hawaii does not fall into me being America'd out.. It is a beautiful holiday destination and I love it!
