Good memories and disappointments in US
Leaving the US with some good memories, a trail of letters of complaints and claims to hotels and airlines. I have been to the States twice but never experienced the low standards of accommodation and air travel recent services.
Service provided by staff in hotels, restaurants and related facilities is good, there is a lot of respect for clients and management goes a long way in solving issues and problems to help clients stay happy.
Then, apologies and excuses would not make it for the decline in the quality of buildings and furniture, with hotel owners who do not spend money to refurbish their property.
A night spent badly on a squeaky bed, on stained bed sheets, and an air-condition that has a jet-like compressor sound, will not be compensated with a voucher and an apology. I even found bed bugs in a five star hotel, in a big city!
The culinary part of America has the factor of massive quantities I seem not to get used to. At the end of the trip, I was sharing my husband’s plate which was still more than enough.
As we were sitting with family members watching a programme Barbecue, the state of Texas came up as one of the most meat consuming in the US. It also has the highest numbers of obesity and related health complications.
In a restaurant that is famous for its barbecue, the owner was stating that on a slow day they use 48 cow brisket (lower breast). That means 24 cows slaughtered per day, and to obtain pork ribs, there are 30 pigs slaughtered per day.
Those are lots of animals for one restaurant in a day. Looking at the bright side, it seems that barbecues are important social events in Texas where family and friends gather to enjoy company and of course, a massive piece of brisket. While visiting Chicago, we were advised to try the deep dish pizza and the Chicago dog (hot dog).
The first day we tried the massive pizza with so much topping it felt like eating soup on a crust of dough. On the last day we hunted for the hot dog that came in a small portion but it was not that delicious.
We also did a bit of cultural tours of some museums, a walk in downtown Chicago, and the architecture boat ride that took us down the river with a qualified tour guide who recounted the history of the city in detail.
It was a long trip, and the thought of going back home makes me very happy. However, I take one memory with me; the desire expressed by many people I met along the way: their wish to travel outside the States. It reminds me how lucky I’m able to make extensive travels around the globe.
