you capture – america

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For this You Capture challenge, I really wanted to do something that didn’t involve flags and/or military personnel as I figured everybody and their mother would do that – especially since Pioneer Woman just posted the same challenge and that’s the result she got, and so many were far better done than I could do so, you know, why reinvent the wheel just to break it, right?

And I got to thinking, what I really wanted to do was capture what I miss about America when I travel to foreign countries. What I think about 8 weeks into a trek in the bush of South Africa {hot full shower – sorry, no water saver here baby}. What I relish the thought of, in the streets of Bangkok {air conditioning. and the lack of the smell of durian fruit.}.

I didn’t capture what I first immediately thought of: our wide-open spaces. The broad skylines and wide avenues. That’s America to me. (Anyone who has been to the tiny streets and even tinier bathrooms in Europe will know what I mean.)

Orderly lines when waiting for something…knowing with some degree of certainty that some jack-o is not gonna’ cut in front of you in line. And if he does, you can get up in his face give him the stink eye.

The English language. (You miss it when you’ve been out of the country long enough.)

I didn’t get a chance to capture those things. But I did capture something else that is quintessential America to me: beachside BBQs with burgers on the grill.


And Southwest Chipotle burgers (Because of all the different food you can get in the U.S., pretty much all of it comes from somewhere else, right? Pasta, pizza…but sandwiches! I’m pretty sure we have the corner on the market for sandwiches. I haven’t come across any nearly so good anywhere outside the States.):
Did you see that avocado? Here’s another shot:
Nothing beats California avocado man. I tell ya. I get CRAVINGS for avocado…guacamole…I go through withdrawal if I’m out of the country. Or out of state, really. ‘Cuz I’ve never seen a decent avocado outside of California Hass avocados.

With sweet potato fries on the side.

And kids fleeing

Wait, what? Ok, maybe that’s a little foot race.

But how about this? All-American strawberry pie:
Strawberry pie is American, right? As American as apple pie! Right?

At least the picture is kind of red, white and blue. Ish.

For more Americana, check out this week’s You Capture challenge at I Should Be Folding Laundry.

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21 thoughts on “you capture – america”

  2. Avacado – I so miss avacado. The best avacadoes around here come from Israel and it’s just too far to transport them. They don’t taste the same.

    Love your spin on the America theme – what you miss when you leave.

  3. Great take on the theme – a bit of lateral thinking. Of course you can count the sandwiches as american and the strawberry pie too!

    I do love the tiny European streets as well as the US’s huge avenues but then maybe not the tiny loos!

    I love avocado too, although they’re a bit hit and miss here you never know if it’s going to be amazing or really bland and disappointing. I’ll have to try the local avocados next time I’m in california.

    Hope you had a great 4th July, I’m still campaigning for some sloppy joes here – maybe at the weekend. I once spent the 4th July in New Jersey when in 2002 so I got to experience a real American 4th July and the state fair – fun times.

    Have a great Thursday,
    Jade

    • I love tiny European streets too. I do actually like how everything is smaller and everyone is closer in, in other parts of the world. I think there are good things about not having too much personal space…and its societal implications. But having grown up Stateside, when I am gone long enough, it does get claustrophobic to me.

      I hope you get your sloppy joe’s! :)

  5. I totally hear you on the things you miss when you are somewhere else (I occasionally get cravings for pulled pork sammiches :D ). I love what you did capture.

  6. Oh, I too could live on avocados. Especially avocados on sandwiches. Throw some sweet potato fries on the side and I am one happy girl!

  7. I chose to go the non-flag route- your captures were a welcome change to all the flags and fireworks this week!!!

  10. Okay, it doesn’t matter that I just finished eating my breakfast…I’m REALLY hungry now! That sandwich picture looks like it should be on a menu….