Here are some observations I made while in Europe.  I wrote them down throughout the trip on a small paper napkin.

(Okay, okay. I’m just kidding about the napkin thing. That would’ve been really artsy and cool though. Pretension: it’s the uninteresting man’s self-worth.)

1. Europe has the sustainable design thing in the bag.  The entire region is eco-friendly in a variety of ways:

• Lights in the hotel communal spaces were timed and would shut down when the room or hallway was inactive.  
• Napkins and toilet paper seemed to melt in my hands, which made me feel slightly grimy but happy to know I was taking one for the team (the team being planet Earth).  
• Concrete was virtually non-existent. In its place were mosaic tiles, porous pavers and vast green spaces. As I learned in my landscape architecture program’s sustainability classes: percolation is key, and the actual development of concrete is incredibly disruptive to the atmosphere. 
• Coffee is significantly important to the culture, especially expresso, but it was impossible to order coffee “to go.”  All beverages were served in adorable glass cups and were expected to be enjoyed in the restaurant or out on the patio while melting in the beautified rays of sun. 
• All cars are miniature. Literally. I didn’t see a single SUV.  Every car was incredibly compact.  Thus, the streets were narrow (see concrete point above) and parking spaces were invisible to the naked eye. 

2. Mythbusters: American culture

• Yes: Americans are loud, obnoxious and boisterous (in comparison to the English and Irish inhabitants of Europe).  But I found the majority of Europeans I met to be slightly socially awkward. They won’t look you in the eye or even acknowledge your existence unless you approach them first.  Once you do approach them, though, they’re lovely. 
• No: Americans aren’t “fat” in comparison to Europeans.  Not to get catty, but I’ve never seen so many unkempt, chubby and dilapidated people in my entire life.  (How’s that for being American?) Then again, the people I did see were on “holiday” getting “pissed.”  My conclusion is obviously not based on a systematic sample … or even a good simple random sample. I’m not a statistical genius, ok?

3. Yes, that’s my name. Don’t wear it out. Apparently “Zimmerman” is intriguing to the Europeans.  Is it because it is technically a Jewish name or something?

• It all began in Dublin when I went through customs: “Zimmerman?” “Yes.” “Hmm.”
• Lagos beach, buying a coffee with my MasterCard: “Zimmerman?” “Yes.” “Huh.”
• Dublin security on the way home: “Zimmerman, eh?” “Yes, why does everyone say my name like that?” “Huh.”
• Additionally, “Kristi” is relatively unknown over in Europe.  I hate my name here because it seems so common and … stupid.  But over there it was “interesting.”  

4. English / Irish food. Yuck.

• Chips (french fries) are served with everything.  Literally.  Omelets. Steak. Chinese. Crepes. Ice Cream. Chips. 
• All meals were included with a compelling selection of condiments: Mayonnaise, herb-encrusted catsup, “brown sauce” (still no idea what that is), olive oil (in packets), salmon and anchovy paste, cucumber sauce, cheese (in packets), butter (without a serving of bread). 
• European cows must be malnourished.  The beef tasted like hamburgers served in my elementary school’s hot lunch.  Bad.
• No “light” beer.  European folks laugh at such ridiculous requests. 
• Beer can be served in “halves” - order half of a beer, and they’ll fill that puppy up half way.  Pretty rad if you’re looking to try a lot of stuff.  Or if you’re not looking to get “pissed” (the English / Irish word for “wasted.”)

5. Portuguese food: yum. 

• Piri-Piri: an amazing hot sauce served with chicken. 
• Bread: soft, chewy, delightful.
• Cheese: I hated it b/c it is really sharp and stinky, but everyone else seemed to enjoy it thoroughly. Figured it was worth a mention.
• Wine: glorious

6. Accents: they’re all English, even the Portuguese who speak English.  This was really fun to imitate.  I actually went a whole night speaking in an English accent just to be an obnoxious American.

7. Tidiness: No trash, all restaurants and bathrooms immaculate. Love it.

8. Cork trees. Everywhere.

• Portugal is responsible for 60% of the world’s cork.
• Cork is a fungus that grows on the tree.
• Cork is harvested every nine years.
• Cork is water proof, sound proof and relatively fire proof.
• Cork is used as an insulator in space shuttles. 
• Cork is awesome.  And makes trees ugly.

That’s all I “wrote down” on that “napkin” for now.  I’ll update with more as it comes to me.