It has been a long while since I posted anything on my observations in my new home land, US of A. The last two posts came almost a year ago and it is long overdo for new observations.

Let’s start with the summer time activities. Having lived my first summer in the northwest, I have come to learn more about what is close to American hearts when it comes to summer and I can say BBQ-ing is probably most popular. People here love their bbq and not to be excluded we got one too. Now, being a Persian, my research was a little more demanding on what BBQ grill is considered good since we would be BBq-ing more than just burgers, ribs, steaks and hot dogs. We love our kebab and in order to be able to make good kebab, your BBQ grill has to be FKA (Food and Kebab Administration) certified. Next after the kebab comes the real test, i.e. how good of chef you are is based on how good your burgers are. The funny part here is that all men think they have their own little secret receipe that makes their burgers just the best burger in town and as in Rome you do as Romans, I have come to find myself included in this ever-ongoing competition. So far though I am still considered the rookie and have a long way to go and much to prove.

Next is all the summer fairs and festivals. Granted that these events are not specific to US, but what is different is the size of these things. Take for instance the sea fair here. Over the course of a weekend, you have TONS of hydro plane races and shows, you have the blue angels (6 F-16 fighter planes) do two air shows and a numerous number of other events that I am not even aware of. I enjoyed this very much since I have never really experienced a sea fair of this magnitude and like I said it is not what is done a lot of the times, it is how it’s done that makes it so different.

As for burgers though, so far and by far, In-N-Out burger joints in California are the best burgers I have tasted in this country. I am sure that won’t last long though as burgers is something this nation does not take lightly on.

Generally though, the biggest observation that I am reminded of on a daily basis is the abundance of everything here and how people just take is for granted, as if the resources on this planet can’t be exhausted. The amount of food I have seen being wasted as well other areas of waste is just mind blowing to me and I still cannot fathom it. Until the next report from this side of the pond - This is me reporting for all the fans out there.