BRITS in BMW MOA

[Threeteas]

I agree Lamble. You guys have got some compelling Michelin stars over there now.

The general perceptive myth of bland, horrible British food most certainly originated from the French (it probably started with Napoleon, but was most assuredly perpetuated by De Gualle).

Vive la difference!

It was a myth perpetuated by the American too. Their last mass stay over in the UK wasn't at the most opportune of times from a culinary perspective, what with rationing and a bit of a to-do with some of the continental types, so dull and grey just about summed it up. Spam was a luxury-it tastes like babies apparently, so you can see how dire things were.

Still back on form again now.

 

[BeemerMike]

It was a myth perpetuated by the American too. Their last mass stay over in the UK wasn't at the most opportune of times from a culinary perspective,

Still back on form again now.

Glad to hear that. Try to have a better menu the next time we have to come over and save your butts from the Germans . . .

 

[Threeteas]

Glad to hear that. Try to have a better menu the next time we have to come over and save your butts from the Germans . . .

I know the Bavarians have a predelection for lederhossen, but really, I can assure you that an Englishman's butt is his castle and will never be stormed by a German, with or without an American in proximity. But thanks for thinking about our butts!

 

[tonkandy]

I agree Lamble. You guys have got some compelling Michelin stars over there now.

The general perceptive myth of bland, horrible British food most certainly originated from the French (it probably started with Napoleon, but was most assuredly perpetuated by De Gualle).

Vive la difference!

Actually it was perpetuated by my mum's cooking. It would gag a maggot.

 

[Threeteas]

But they are French restaurants owned by Pakistanis. .

Name names. Just one.

 

[tonkandy]

Name names. Just one.

Benares. OK so it's Indian but close enough

 

[PaperBoy]

Plus, and this will get me into trouble, for the land of the free, well, you just aren't that free. The work ethic is wrong, drastically wrong...how you can be less productive yet not have the time off that europeans have is amazing...it's all the meetings about meetings. Then there's the "we are the best" brainwashing. If you are the best, then at what exactly? At somethings you are, some you most certainly are not. But the unquestioning belief fostered by the unending propoganda that you are, probably makes some folk wonder why they should go places that are "inferior".
Then there's fear. A more paranoid nation I have yet to encounter. (A vast generalisation I know, however, it's what I've found. Unless everything is planned and sorted to the nth degree, fear ensues.

Wow, that's a lot of generalizations -- did someone put up the bash Americans sign? Anyway, not to prove your point about "we are the best" brainwashing, but everything I've heard says Americans are the most productive. Guess it must be that propaganda you were talking about. See: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20572828/. Of course that's from MSNBC, but the story is slugged Geneva, not Wash. D.C. Hope it's not too wet in Seattle for riding.

 

[Threeteas]

in general

See how hard it is not to generalise?
My generalising does however come courtesy of first hand experience rather than a press release and I do accept that it may be a limited sample, but its my sample, randomly encountered and unmanipulated

 

[Threeteas]

On the Mexico Guatamala border, fall asleep with the TV set on in the hotel room. Wake up and what do I see. West Brom vs Newcastle United.

That's just weird.
Not as weird as Hull still being in the top 5 though.

It's a crazy, small world.

 

[Threeteas]

Standing opposite a Toltec pyramid,in El Salvador, drinking a local fruit drink, when I hear, "Tottenham Gooooaaaal!"

Now the fact that Tottenham have scored is always strange. That it's against Liverpool is even stranger. But that this eminates from a small adobe hut that abuts the drink stall, is just bizarre.

Not as bizarre of course as Hull City still being in the Premiership.
Now if I hear Hull scoring a goal, while in Panama or anywhere south of here, may be cause for a visit to the Farmacia for a heavy dose of something tranquilising.

 

[Threeteas]

small world

sitting in a beach front bar in san juan sur mer nicaragua, hear the nasal twang of a londoner, although he claims surrey. When he asks where I'm from I say the usual, "started in the middle and migrated south east".
"Mersea Island?"

How on earth anyone could have heard of the place, yet alone make it their first offering up as a possible location is incredible. I'd never heard of it until I lived there. Obviously its popularity, or notoriety, has sky-rocketed since I left.

Should have asked for more money for the boat.

Still it's great to see that even with the small world and travel being afforded to more people, some can come as far from Surrey as Nicaragua and still only want to eat chicken and chips and "none of this local muck". Small world, but some small minds too, I fear.

 

[Threeteas]

Woke up today with a burning need for HP sauce. Now in Costa Rica, so there's not much chance. Remember cornets with that white mallow fluff, a chocolate top and sprinkles. They sell them in the panateria over the road. Perhaps I was harsh on the guy who wanted chicken and chips, when I crave a bacon butty with HP, but then again perhaps not...I've been on a Gallo pinto diet for days now and a soft taco with everything. I've tried it all, calves bollocks, the squid and pulpo, the juices of tamarind and all the local stuff. It's great. Try it, then decide you want a bacon sarnie, that's the difference. Dont dismiss it because it's not a bacon barm cake.

 

[wuli959]

you need your own blog

 

[Threeteas]

That'll be via www.unchainedworld.com

Panama City, dont bother with the new stuff, go straight to the Old Town. It was sort of British for a while, when buccaneer Henry Morgan (who went on to establish a leading rum label manufacturing company), bombarded the place and then ran it, at the peak of pirate power.

Very like Havana. A photographers dream, just remember to put new batteries in your camera and don't do like I did.

 

[Threeteas]

Going Home

I have no choice but to leave these shores and head back to the UK. My time here is done in March.
It seems that I will have no opportunity to gain a renewed visa, or green card and as the current visa expires March 16th, I need to be out of here by then.

How do I regard my time here?
Mixed emotions, tending, due to current events, to be more towards the unpleasant side of the scales.

This forum?
As in life, a few good people that I have found consistently thoughtful and whose opinions I value and whose help has been offered rather than requested. A few who have been objectionable. A majority that I have not encountered.

If I knew then, what I know now.
Would I have come here?
No. I don't think I would. But I'm glad I saw what I saw and learned what I learned, but it's certainly not sufficient to warrant losing my Wife for.

Nothing is.

So from now on I'm winding things up. Packing things away. Planning for a new life.

 

[Threeteas]

Here's are questions I didn't think I'd ever need the answer to.

If I don't leave the USA when my visa runs out, but get deported instead, what are the down sides?

Would someone else pick up the cost of getting me out of here, if I'm deported?
Anyone have customs experience here, what are the pros and cons?

 

[testinglogin]

Here's are questions I didn't think I'd ever need the answer to.

If I don't leave the USA when my visa runs out, but get deported instead, what are the down sides?

Would someone else pick up the cost of getting me out of here, if I'm deported?
Anyone have customs experience here, what are the pros and cons?

Lamble,

From what I've read, it's not an immediate trip home. If you got rid of all your belongings save, say, a backpack or small suitcase and then turned yourself in to the INS, it would still take a few weeks to get you home. I think they would probably cover the cost of the ticket, but you may find yourself sitting in detention for a few weeks while they work everything out. There are legal proceedings that would take place before you went home. If they can prove you have money they would probably go out of their way to get it from you. The British consulate may be willing to dig through your UK bank accounts if necessary.

Might want to look into moving to Canada if you want to stay in North America - it could be a short move for you. I have no idea if Canada is easier to get into, but they always seem so friendly when I cross the border.

Sorry to hear you have to go - was hoping to get a chance to meet you at some point.

 

[Threeteas]

Sorry to hear you have to go - was hoping to get a chance to meet you at some point.

I can assure you, it's not my first choice option to leave. And, who knows what may transpire over the next three months. However, I can't wait to find out and have to be working towards the solution that the current situation indicates is inevitable.

There are many folk I should have met and intended to meet, if circumstances had been different, and you are on the list JD.

 

[lockster]

Ey Up

Hi lamble

Well I have had a rollercoaster few weeks myself mate. Just caught up with what's going on with your life and I feel for you. Although a move back to Blighty is going to ease your HP desire but I do feel it will not help you. Each time I return home I get the impression that most of my friends would love to move away. The people look hagged, depressed and lifeless. I know its Yorkshire and the only colour were known for is Whippet smock but still. I read in the paper that a grandfather commited suicide because he couldnt afford his heating bills. Knifing's seem to be the violence of choice and nobody can afford to do squat. Hope it works out differently for you.
So, I got back from my Australia trip a changed man. I have renewed my faith that people can be polite, respectful and honest. I get the impression that Australia is like England was 30 years ago. A beautiful country with stunning scenery and one of the worlds greatest diving landmarks.
Once back to the US it was then time for major surgery and now I am in convalescence.
Got my new Russell seat for the GS and its sublime !
Come the new year along with a new Butler position in NJ I should be piling on the mileage and exploring even further afield. Not SA like yourself ( yet ) but still we all have to start some where.
Let's see what life can throw at me now
Have a great christmas lamble and good luck in the new year.

lockster

 

[Threeteas]

Lockster, whippet smock is my favourite colour, well that and puddle dun.

I'll be with my best mates for some time, so that's a great way to re acclimatise.

There's a whole lot of Europe to go visit too, so I'm optimistic.

I hope your NJ job gives you the opportunity to wear your new saddle out.

Have a great time. Perhaps Australia should be our next meet up, although I have a date with a few folks in Bogota next November too.

It's a world of possibilities.

Oh yes, and I leave on the 16th December.