10.15.2008

Homesick

Besides friends and family, what do you miss most about home?

Like other expats, I am posed this question on a weekly basis. And almost as often, depending on my cravings or the situation, the answer changes. Sometimes, I miss mexican food. Other times, it's my $1.99 dry cleaner. Still other times, it's Target. You heard me...Target. I never thought this would happen, but I do miss Target.

However during this presidential campaign--and especially on debate nights--I miss NBC News. Sure, I can download delayed broadcasts of Today and the Nightly News with Brian Williams through iTunes, but during times of special coverage, I can't watch my favorite news network.

I've tried cozying up to World Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, and the like over at CNN, but these anchors and analysts don't give me the warm fuzzies like Brian WIlliams, Andrea Williams, Tom Browkaw, and the late TIm Russert (Oh how I miss him!). And as I get ready to pull yet another all-nighter to watch the final debate of this presidential campaign, I sure wish I could do it cuddled up with my favorite old familiar faces.

Besides friends and family, what do (or would) you miss if you lived in a different land?

19 comments:

Simple Answer said...

See? And here I am GLAD I can't get election coverage. I've made up my mind. I've mailed my ballot. I will party on November 6th when the results are in!

I miss my dogs. Tears. Heart broken. Kiss Charlie for me.

Unknown said...

I always miss Target. I'm in Canada and I miss Target. JB is going to the US today for an interview and I have a Target shopping list for him.

Other than Target (and Thin Mints), it's the people and pets that get left behind that I miss the most. That includes feeling a sense of community during election time.

Anonymous said...

We are so alike...I have an affinity for my favorite news anchors as well - they are at FOX news and I feel absolutely lost and sad when I cant see thier coverage. If i lived outside the U.S. I would miss my husband (laugh..just kidding honey)no...seriously I would miss Barnes and Noble, Target and Nordstrom as well as my local grocery store which I somehow singlehandedly support.

Unknown said...

I miss the same things, Diane! Long comment alert!

I watch preferrably NBC news video clips as well, but over the internet. Would be great to have iTunes! But in either case, I'm already sure it's not the same as turning on the TV. Strange to explain to someone back home, really.. Sometimes it's understood. Usually, these days, I don't talk about it anywhere else but on my blog. I miss Tim Russert too, and especially at this election time. He explained the election process in English we could all understand.

Toughest for me: Holidays minus family & friends back home. This holiday I won't be with family or friends, unless they make a surprise visit to me. I've done it before & it was fine, but as the holidays begin, I already miss getting up at 5 AM with my mom & grandma to go wait for the doors to open at Macy's on the day after Thanksgiving ;-)

Though the holidays are forced early on shoppers in the stores, I also miss it. It was, for me, an excuse to enjoy the Christmas spirit longer!

Speaking of which, can you give your suggestion for the best Weihnachtsmarkt? My husband & I are planning on Dresden or Düsseldorf this year, but I'd love to eventually go into the heart of Germany & experience a new Weihnachtsmarkt each year. Your suggestions will be so helpful! I made it official last year: It's my replacement each holiday season to try a new Weihnachtsmarkt each year until I've been to them all. I love the smells & the music & the crafts. And the glühwein ;-)

Anonymous said...

I miss the New York Times, delis, bodegas, everything being open 24/7. Ess-A-Bagel. Knowing exactly where to go to get exactly what I need/want. Hip plus-size stores. Stores that sell more than one category of stuf.

Anonymous said...

While I can't help you with NBC News, I can help you with your love for Target. Next time I go, I'm totally going to take a ton of pictures for you. :)

Jill said...

I'm a Target gal myself - and I miss it more than anything...

I also miss my family and friends

Trader Joe's

One-stop shopping

Good Mexican food. Scratch that - any Mexican food

My hairdresser

Good TV - and movies!

Alice said...

I miss Target too ...

Sonja Streuber, PMP(R), SSBB said...

What do I miss about Germany? Hm. The drugstores with their homeopathic section. "Reformhaeuser." Fennel tea. Gosh, yes, fennel tea.

Diane Mandy said...

Touch of Dutch - The best here-- in the Rhineland Pfalz, by far, is in a town called Deidesheim. It feels like Santa and Elves are going to pop in at any moment. Please let me know if you decide to come this way. I'd love to meet you!

Connie said...

I will jump on the missing the Mexican food wagon. I cooked burritos for dinner. A margarita sounds nice about now too.

I also miss CLEAN air, green grass, and going out barefootin'. I want a yard, and a garden. I want a decent place for my kids to play outside at home.

I miss Target and large grocery stores too. We have a Carrefour here, but I can't stand the pushing and shoving rudeness - it isn't worth the effort. When I shop locally, I shop at little stores.. with little inventories.. sigh..

Anonymous said...

In all my travels, I always revert to missing the food from home. As much as I love trying new things and exploring tastes from other places, there's just nothing like good ol' American home cooking.

Cheryl said...

I know I'd miss Target too. But given the right country I think I'd make do.

Dan-E said...

i sorta miss target now since it's a 30 minute bus ride. i used to be a three minute drive back when i had a car.

i missed a good, greasy cheeseburger and baseball while i was in europe. don't get me wrong, czech food is great but sometimes you just want a big, greasy cheeseburger.

J said...

I miss second hand shops - beit books or clothes.

I also miss things being open after 8pm and being able to shop on Sunday if I need/want to.

Mex food is a given.

utenzi said...

I'd miss sweet ice tea and hash browns at Waffle House the most, Diane. I'd not miss the Presidential Debates at all.

vailian said...

Target?? I miss Costco!!
Was just in the States last week, and enjoyed the spontaneous friendliness, the Sunday shopping, the cheap gas.
It was great to have REAL steaks, and cinnabuns.
I came back with 15 packets of Kraft Mac and Cheese, and several bags of Cheetos.
Disgusting, I know, but this is what reminds me of home.

karey m. said...

i miss a proper sunday paper. a proper sunday off.

other than that...

jaded said...

Nice new look!

Okay, back on topic...If I were in your fair country, I would miss cheese. After your post @ the 14 euro cheese, I looked in the fridge and discovered I keep five kinds. Yes, count them five staple cheeses.

Other than that, my favorite granola, blackened seasoning and metromint water. I never knew I was such a food snob.