A Swedish Emigrant Confesses: Things I Miss About America

I was born in the US, and lived there for 48 years. I have lived mostly in Sweden for the past 2 years. I also have a bad habit of mouthing off in political debates all across the Internet. This leads people to the misconception that I hate the US. I do not. I hate what it is becoming. I love what it is supposed to be, what it tries to claim to be. I love the idea of America... I despise what politicians have done to it, and what the people have allowed to be done to it. How the hell the Patriot Act ever got passed... man. That was the last straw for any perceived freedom I had left there.

Still, I do not hate America. I simply have found a place that is what it claims to be. Sweden. Is it perfect? Well no. DUH. No government on Earth is perfect. It is hella better than the US, though. I'm sorry, but it is. And yet, there are many things I miss about the US.

I miss the myriad of Renaissance Festivals each summer. We have Riddarspelan and the Viking Market over here, but in the US I could visit a RenFest any weekend from April through October if I wished. Both Riddarspelan and the Viking Market are the end of June, beginning of July... and that is it for South Sweden. bummer, that.

I miss Arbys and KFC. Sweden is much healthier because of it not being a Fast Food Nation. Burger King and McDonalds are infiltrating, but only for the lunch crowd while shopping. People here mostly prefer to cook their own food at home. That is a good thing... except I am a spoiled American and I sometimes crave that special chicken recipe or a Giant roast beef sandwich. I have heard that KFC is now over in Copenhagen, though, so perhaps it is only a matter of time before I can have that mouth watering chicken again.

I miss the beaches. Yes, we do have beaches here. Malmo and Ystad both have very nice beaches. however, I am a tourist at heart and like touristified beaches. The Swedish beaches are for swimming and sunbathing. I want tourist crap, damn it. So yes, although I do like Malmo and Ystad, I prefer places like Venice Beach in California, and the beaches at Miami and Ft Lauderdale.