musings from spain

almost a week back from my two week visit to the states and a brief, shared reflection is in due order, best summarized in the ever so succient form of lists:

ten things i used to take for granted about the states:

1. the close comfort of family and friends

2. the ability to eavesdrop with relative ease

3. delicious asian food. specifically:

• bimbab, bul gogi, and the endless number of little plates from brother´s korean restaurant (sf, geary @ 5th)
• mango sago (this time fresh and tasty from the newest discovery, creations - sf, geary @ 16th)
• amaebi at sushi sam´s (san mateo, 3rd street)

4. brand name stores where quality customer service actually exists

5. one-the-go coffee, take-out food, and doggy bags

6. the guiltless pleasure of staying indoors on a sunny day and watching law and order marathons

7. the excitment of driving up the hills of san francisco (and linked with this is automatic-drive vehicles)

8. purchases put in a bag for you at the checkout counter

9. at least ten seconds of warning time before the pedestrian light turns red

10. free wireless internet connection at multitudes of cafés in the city

tomorrow, i´ll post the reverse list of things now rediscovered i love even more about barcelona.