h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

OK, so I went to the States, and it was pretty good.

Firstly, the conference. The presentations that I had to give went very well and I quite enjoyed the experience. The presentations that I attended were, in the main, informative and generally well presented.

Then there was the social aspect of it all. There were a bunch of folks that I knew across too, and we had a good time. Went to a baseball game (an odd sport, but the experience was surprisingly good). The pubs and restaurants that we attended were pleasant and the service we received was absolutely top-notch. The people of Baltimore that we met were friendly, and not xenophobic enough to need "freedom fries".

So what was wrong with it?

Well, there was the distinct feeling that, even though I was a Brit, I was a foreigner and a stranger. The war on terror and Iraq in particular seems to have set certain sections of society in the States against anyone of a non-US bent. There was nothing overt, just a general uncomfortable feeling. Even myself and my friends, Brits and noticably so, were seen by certain folks as interlopers.

Still, all things considered, I enjoyed my time in Baltimore (but not the beer - how folks can drink things like Bud is beyond me).

Thanks, America.

sorry to hear about the anti-foriegner feelings, we don't have much of that in my little corner of the States.

Here Here! on the beer, I hate that crap too

Well, some of the microbrew stuff was alright, but the big companies, what are they thinking of? I mean, now we get Bud ads in this country saying that they think beer should be fresh. Yes, maybe, but decent beer needs a little time to age.

*Rant continues while Euan vents his spleen*

I'v had German beer. warm, cold, and mixed with Coke (which is a fad there) and I didn't like any of it. I did like taquila, vodka, and margaritas though