Not Yet

Last night, we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner at our American friends' house. It was so nice to be with another family during such a family-focused holiday. As the conversation progressed, the topic became centered on the financial crisis. Our friends mentioned that another American here...and his family were being sent home a little earlier than expected. This made me think about how I would feel if we were told that we had to go back to the States in the next couple of months. As much as I truly miss my family and friends, I think I would feel such a sense of disappointment. There is so much more to see here. There is so much more culture to experience. There is so much more French to learn. I do miss the U.S., but I'm not ready to go back yet.

Delicacies

One food that I was unable to find here was black beans. Every store I entered, I would hope that their "World Foods" section would include this tasty legume--be it in canned form....or even dried. Well, I finally stopped in a gas station that has a sign which proclaims it carries "British & American Foods." Bingo! There on the shelves, were a variety of American "delicacies." They had Jell-o, Original Cheerios, Hidden Valley Ranch dip packets, cake mixes, and BLACK BEANS! Sam and I had quesadillas and black beans the other night. Before the food reached the table, I had to sample a bean, and it was the strangest thing: I had forgotten what they tasted like. They were actually better than I remembered! It's funny how something as easy-to-find in the U.S. can be such a treat elsewhere in the world. Which Belgian specialties will I miss after we move back to the States?