I furiously made this list about four months ago, when we had been living in Germany for a total of six months. I saved it and then it went into the depths of my “potential blog posts” folder because I was afraid of it. I knew I couldn’t open it and finish editing it without having a meltdown about missing home. It was a rough time. But I’ve gradually become more stable and happier in Germany – despite all the differences between Germany and the USA. Finally I reached a point where I knew that I could finally handle looking at it again, especially since the amount of time that I’ll be missing these things is rapidly diminishing – it’s only 52 days until our flight home.
So without further ado, I present this list to you with my new found expat strength and hope that you have the self-control to not go buy way too much junk food after reading it.
50 Things I Miss from Home:
1. Driving in my car listening to the radio really loud.
2. Driving in my car.
3. Driving.
4. Ore-ida tater tots (cooked until they are burnt, thank you very much).
5. Sweet tea – but not diabetic-ly sweet. I like mine at about half the sugar ratio that’s standard in the south.
6. Cookie dough.
7. South Carolina Barbecue (of the mustard based variety).
8. Muscadine wine.
9. Lots of sunny days.
10. Talking to the cashier at the store without it being weird.
11. Smiling in public without it being weird.
12. Waiting patiently in line with other patient people.
13. Papa John’s.
14. AIR CONDITIONING.
15. Panera Bread.
16. Neighbors. Having them.
17. Dolla dolla bills. No really, I miss dollar bills. I still struggle in my attempts to say “euros” instead of “dollars” or “bucks”.
18. Quarters. Because the little toy machine at the store wants a one euro coin? Excuse me??
19. My own washer and dryer.
20. Strawberitas.
21. EVERYTHING ABOUT CHIK-FIL-A. EVERYTHING.
22. Peanut butter M&Ms.
23. Good peanut butter.
24. Whip cream from a can.
25. Twizzlers.
26. Real Mountain Dew.
27. A dishwasher.
28. Brown sugar.
29. Caramel macchiato coffee creamer (say that one five times fast).
30. Frostys from Wendy’s.
31. Cilantro (sometimes the Asian markets here have some but it’s a gamble).
32. Roasted red pepper hummus.
33. Grocery pick-up services.
34. Family. Probably should have been higher on this list. My bad.
35. Reese’s.
Photo by Sheila licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
36. 24 hour grocery stores.
37. Trader Joes.
38. English speaking church services.
39. Amazon.com and Prime. Amazon.de does not come close.
40. Our big speakers.
41. Our big TV.
42. Being loud past 9pm.
43. Literally oversize anything (I’m looking at you, 176g packages of Oreos).
44. Grocery shopping on a Sunday.
45. FREE BATHROOMS.
46. Krispy Kreme donuts.
47. Pandora.
48. Wet Willies (the bar, not the annoying prank).
49. Passion tea from QuickTrip.
50. Free water.
What do you miss the most from home? Or what on this list do you like the most?
Photo by Thomas licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. Modifications made by My Meena Life.
Featured photo by Sandra licensed under CC BY 2.0.
I'm with you on several things and I don't even live in Germany yet. I moved to the NW from the South and I STILL miss so much – sweet tea, Krispy Kremes with hot-off-the-conveyor-belt glazed donuts, being able to find and eat regular Twizzlers in peace (folks adore Red Vines and they're really vocal about it), good barbecue that doesn't cost a fortune, neighbours that talk to you, smiling at people you pass in the street without it being weird and most especially, lots of sunny days (and not having folks think you're crazy for being elated when it is sunny & hot, for a change).
I sometimes I wonder what I'll miss when we leave the States and by reading your list, it will be a lot more than I thought it would be (good peanut butter, Trader Joe's, free bathrooms, brown sugar). There's also internet shopping. I agree with you, Amazon.de is no where near as good as Amazon.com, but neither is most online shopping, really. Returns are not easy. Crazy how much I rely on it here in the States.
Anyway, I'm glad to hear you're getting settled in Germany a little more and have found a good group of friends. That's always important no matter where you are!
Good point – sometimes I forget how different the USA can be in different parts. I had a southern friend that moved to Boston when there was no Chik-fil-a there (years ago, I think there is one there now) and she really missed it.
You can buy “American peanut butter” at Rewe and it’s the best that I’ve found but it costs like 3.50 euro for a realllly small jar, which is frustrating when you go through it so fast. Also I was informed in a FB comment that muscovado sugar is nearly the same as brown sugar here. The bathroom thing is hard, I’ve figured out where to go in my town but it’s always risky when traveling to new places. I tend to go to the bathroom whenever I happen to see one instead of when I need to. Don’t worry, you’ll figure things out too.
Thanks!
Oh man, I haven't had tater tots in ages! I was craving a root beer float the other day, too, and I realized I haven't one in four years…
I tried some tater tots from Tegut but they were suuuper dense and not the same at all. At least you could make them yourself, unlike root beer, unfortunately. Hope you get to have one soon!
I'm totally with you on waiting patiently in line, brown sugar and Amazon.com. I've found brown sugar a grand total of once in three years and it was super expensive at a Biomarkt (spoiler alert: I didn't buy it). And free water! How I miss that. Luckily some newer, "hipper" places in Germany, mostly cafes, are starting to catch on with free water, and you can usually get a glass of water, albeit a small one, if you ask for "ein Glas Leitungswasser."
I actually appreciate that Germany doesn't air condition the shit out of everything, since it's MUCH better for the environment not to waste so much energy turning every indoor space into a freezer, but especially on trains they could sometimes crank it up just a tiny bit.
I know they're not exactly the same as tater tots, but have you tried Rösti? They are similar to tater tots but triangular, and I actually like them better than tater tots (although maybe that's just because I haven't had tater tots in three years, lol!).
Danielle | solongusa.blogspot.com
I was informed in a FB comment this morning that muscovado sugar is nearly the same as brown sugar here. Have you heard of / tried that?
Yeah, I agree that their approach of less air conditioning is, on the whole, much better for the environment and for us. I think I’m just extra bitter right now because I’m allergic to something and having to constantly open my windows for a cool breeze is making me sneeze and sniff and have itchy eyes. I just really want the option! (And for people to stop telling me that it’s completely unnecessary.)
I have tried Rösti when I first moved here but I wasn’t a huge fan – I think they were a bit too greasy for me. But perhaps I’ll try them again. 🙂 Thanks!
The first three made me laugh out loud. I live in the Middle East and all we ever do here is drive to go anywhere. Having lived here for almost a decade, I actually really do miss walking! Lol. It's so funny how people's lives differ based on where you are. Interesting if you think about it. What I'm sick and tired of doing every single day, someone on the other side of the world is missing it. 🙂
Good point! I like to walk and I like to drive, I guess I’d just like to have a little more balance between the two. I’m sure I’ll get sick of driving again after I move back home. I’m glad it made you laugh!
This is basically a list of all the things I want to try when I come to the US! Except, like, your family. Because that would be weird.
There are some things in the list I don't even know what they are so instead of being annoying and asking like 500 questions I'll google. However, one thing I can't google – you're telling me Germans don't know how to queue properly?? I am SHOCKED.
Your comment made me laugh out loud! I have to admit I am curious about the things you hadn’t heard of – I think that everyone loves to know what’s unique/unusual about their home.
I shun all the local bakeries except for the one where you’re forced to stand in an actual line because of the layout. I can’t handle the mess that happens at the other places!
Hi! I just came across your blog because you commented on one I read regularly. I'm looking forward to reading more. I enjoy posts like this, in part because it reminds me of all the things I _don't_ miss about the US (Wisconsin). The only one that somewhat applies is public restrooms (in nearly every store), but I usually get around that with a timely café stop for a coffee. I'm in Germany permanently, though, and I'm older. 🙂 Mainly I miss Germany when I'm back in the US.
Brown sugar – that's a totally normal item in my grocery store (Real). I had to make my own vanilla extract, though (vanilla beans soaked in vodka – who knew?). I made blueberry muffins from scratch yesterday, and oh, the raw batter…. so dangerously delicious, just like cookie dough, which I also make myself (I always ask visitors from the US to bring me Nestle chocolate chips)!
Glad you found me, Ami! I’m glad you’re able to make stuff from scratch (sounds yummy) and that you’re so happy here in Germany. 🙂
Oh my. My list of things I miss in South Africa could fill a book. I think you might just have inspired me to write a post like this of my own. Except that I'm not moving back ever and not even visiting for the next two years!! Will it break my heart?
Oh dear, it might cause some emotional strain! But the only way to find out is to start writing it. 😉
Challenge accepted!