I always like to see how everyday life is wherever it is I am traveling too. I think this is one of the great things about traveling. On my recent trip I discovered some new things and observations which I share now:

1. In Belgium, they’ve put a device in the hotels where in order to get electricity in your room, you must insert your room key card into it. Without the card, no lights. This makes sure lights aren’t left on and is actually kinda smart if you think about it but admittedly it took me a moment to figure out why the lights weren’t coming on when I first checked in.

2. Mass transport is expanding in both Europe and Israel. Europe has always had rail lines but they continue to expand their use and the ones they do have are really, really nice to use. Israel has just adapted rail use this decade but already it has become a major form of transportation there. And they are building a tram line through Jerusalem which someday will be up and running if they can figure out all the security precautions.  The U.S. is getting left so far behind in this category.

3. Before I left for the trip, people warned me how ‘rude’ the French were. I knew my friends weren’t that way of course but I braced myself for exposure to the general population. Were people wrong!!! It was one of the most polite places I’ve ever been in my life. People were courteous to each other and if you needed help – which I did more than once – people politiely took time to assist you. I was really, really impressed by that.

4. The French have got to be one of the most individualistic cultures when it comes to how people dress. People dress well but you can spend a whole day on the street and be hard pressed to find two people wearing the same outfits or looking alike in their dress.  I thought that was so kewl! The creative side of me loved it.

4. I don’t think the recession is hitting as hard in Europe and the Middle East as here despite what is said on tv in the states. People are feeling it – don’t get me wrong. But there is less the panic that there is here in the States. Part of this may be that people overseas actually save for a rainy day and also companies – in the case of some of my friends – will cut back hours for everyone first before cutting a job altogether. There is also more government involvement in helping people score jobs or just keeping them afloat. We don’t have that in the States.  What we do have is the highest pay gap between executives and workers in the world. Maybe if the executives took a little less the workers might be able to stay on?

5. Clothes were much cheaper in Europe and Israel than I anticipated. Hard to compare to the states because some things were WAY cheaper while others WAY more expensive. But overall, I found the prices reasonable which took me off guard.

6. Forget Michael Jackson – Elvis rules. I don’t know how many times I heard Elvis on this trip but the most memorable time I heard him was in the Old City of Jerusalem where I think it was ‘The Wonder of You’ was blaring out of a Palestinian shop.  Something about being in those ancient streets and hearing Elvis that had a surreal quality about it.

7. Israeli’s don’t know the meaning of ‘well-done’ if you order a burger. I think I ordered a burger twice while there, both times well done, and what I got was the outside looking very well done and the inside rare. Meaning of course they had the temp too high to cook the burger.

8. The Best Beer I had on the trip was Nostradamus in Brussels. It was really good. First time I’ve ever had it but I need to see if we can get it here. Probably not.

9. I was confused in France by the time. This is going to sound weird, but the sun seemed to go down really late in France. I mean there was light until like 10 p.m.. I am sure there is some scientific reason for all this but I found it really kewl. I wonder though if in winter it seems like the sun sets really early to compensate?

10. France has some really good cheese. And some good wine to go with the cheese.