One of my biggest culture shocks is how much I miss (*need*) convenience. Very little is “convenient” here.

– Fast food is not a “thing” (we’re not in a major city, in fact, I live with cows and sheep) and restaurants are more casual and “relaxing”, meaning they take their time (but no one wants to relax at a restaurant with Bennett – not me, not Justin and DEFINITELY not fellow diners actually trying to enjoy a meal)

– Quick coffee shops do not exist (if you want one, you usually have to drink it there, and it usually isn’t traditional drip coffee, it’s a small espresso. If it is drip coffee, you’re unlikely to find any cream)

– Central heat and air is not standard, so you open your windows that don’t have screens to help ventilate, which invites the bugs (WHY FLIES????)…again, living with the farm animals doesn’t help the bug situation

– European washers and dryers are inefficient at best, though most people seem to use clothes’ lines vs a dryer, and we are fortunate to have the army supply us with American models (though my “speed queen” brand dryer takes roughly 100 min to thoroughly dry one load – speedy 😂)

– The roads are bumpy and windy and often only wide enough for one car – one regular car, and we’ve got a tank! (Anyone from MJ, imagine old Lebanon dirt road, but a little narrower, a lot more potholes, and a 45 mph speed limit…and aggressive drivers, plus the whole yield to the right thing)

– Stores close early, which is strange in the summer when it stays light until 10-11 pm, and most retail-type stores aren’t open on Sunday (my one usual “free” day)

– And the internet is not nearly as helpful here when searching for times/days/info (lots of businesses don’t have good websites, yelp isn’t popular to guide us to appropriate restaurants for children, etc)

I’m not complaining, though, I swear. It’s just culture shock. I’m learning. I’m taking it in. I’m observing. I’m adjusting. I’m hoping to feel more organic in this place soon. I’m sure by the time we’re ready to go, I’ll be less in a “first world problems” kind of situation (and my almost 2 year old will be older, maybe even in school, so inconvenience likely won’t be as brutal), but for now, it’s hard to NOT notice the differences.

But today, I’m SUPER thankful for the McDonald’s in Soignies (10 miles away, 25 minute drive 😬). It JUST started serving breakfast, is clean, has touch screen ordering to help those of us who don’t speak french (me!), and has a play area. I was able to eat a sandwich AND talk to my friends before they head back to the U.S.  (but to be fair, it did take about 10-15 min for the food to be prepared, but I didn’t mind – I’m working on patience, and when it is combined with a favorable environment, I’m able to reign in my impatience 👍🏻😬). I’m sure my American friends and family that visit won’t be nearly as excited as I was, but it gave me an hour of convenience! Maybe in a few months I won’t even need McDonald’s to help me feel normal, but today, I thank you, McDonald’s!

And thanks to my Dye friends for coming to visit AND enduring Mickey D’s with us! (So anyone planning to visit, don’t be surprised when I take you out for a quaint, local meal at the Golden Arches 😂).

(and P.S. I’m very proud to be a stereotypical American. USA! 🇺🇸)