Birmingham, Alabama

[Mr. Matt]

Originally Posted by Crazy Wolf

Funny, people say that about the American one too...

Well, they must have taken more than just the name then! Good to see the heritage of the name being preserved!

[Crazy Wolf]

The Brit Birmingham was big in steel production also, right?

[Mr. Matt]

Originally Posted by Crazy Wolf

The Brit Birmingham was big in steel production also, right?

The whole of the Midlands used to be an industrial powerhouse; if you go back far enough it was the industrial centre of the world. Coal, iron, steel, ceramics, textiles, cars, industrial machinery... if it was big, heavy or smelly, it was made there.

Now Birmingham is good at coating every surface they can find, both horizontal and vertical, in concrete, and then covering that concrete in graffiti.

But we're really stealing the thread now!

[Crazy Wolf]

Yes, well, your description of Birmingham seems pretty much like what my description of my time in Birmingham was. My favorite part of the city was, when leaving it, I saw a billboard that said "Syphilis Outbreak: Free testing and treatment available".

This prompted a few questions, but I will only list the one freshest in my memory. How bad does a syphilis outbreak have to be before you rent a billboard?

[Mr. Matt]

Originally Posted by Crazy Wolf

Yes, well, your description of Birmingham seems pretty much like what my description of my time in Birmingham was. My favorite part of the city was, when leaving it, I saw a billboard that said "Syphilis Outbreak: Free testing and treatment available".

This prompted a few questions, but I will only list the one freshest in my memory. How bad does a syphilis outbreak have to be before you rent a billboard?

LMAO!

I wish I had an answer for you, I really do. But when I woke up this morning, I didn't expect anybody would ask me that question.

If that was your favourite part of the city, I'd hate to imagine what the worst was.

[Pethegreat]

Sometimes (but rarely) people in cars shout something at me if I go on foot. I don't understand what, but it seems to be something like a drive-by-insult aimed at tree-huggers such as myself. Very peculiar.

Have you had stuff thrown at you yet? I get the occasional drive by insult from 16 year olds in ricers(Japanese small cars with way too many DIY modifications). You should be better off with a bike since the Southern US is flatter than PA. If you do walk, get a reflective vest. I can't tell you how many times I have almost hit this one guy who walks an insane amount year round.

I also find it strange that it is very difficult to get around on foot unless you're downtown. There are no sidewalks or traffic lights for pedetrians (in this area, at least).

Anywhere outside the cities in the US was never designed for anything other than cars.

[Crazy Wolf]

Well, even many cities. If the cities experienced expansion/construction after the advent of the car, odds are it isn't well-planned for pedestrians.

[Rich19]

Originally Posted by MrFancypants

I also find it strange that it is very difficult to get around on foot unless you're downtown. There are no sidewalks or traffic lights for pedetrians (in this area, at least).

For some odd reason, this brought back a memory of an English exam I did a while back, to do with analysing some text. The text was by Bill Bryson on this exact subject. I found the article: https://www.caremark.com/wps/portal/...S?topic=bryson

I remember thinking he was exaggerating... Have you had any experiences like this?

[SeinfeldRules]

What things about America surprised you the most, both positively and negatively?

[Monster_user]

Originally Posted by Rich19

For some odd reason, this brought back a memory of an English exam I did a while back, to do with analysing some text. The text was by Bill Bryson on this exact subject. I found the article: https://www.caremark.com/wps/portal/...S?topic=bryson

I remember thinking he was exaggerating... Have you had any experiences like this?

Well, actually that last location, Laconia, sounds a lot like Augusta. They are spending money to revitalize downtown, and the biggest issues seem to be parking.

For a change of pace from the article, the issue is largely one dealing with employees. The don't want to walk a block to their vehicles. Whether due to tiredness, or the lack of security when doing so, is unknown.

This makes sense when purchasing food, as you want the food to still be good when you get to your vehicle.

My Mom lives across town, just a couple of blocks away from several shopping centers (Kroger, Publix, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, etc). However negotiating traffic is no easy task, as this town significantly expanded after the Automobile.

The only place your are going to be walking to, is Downtown. Which people have only just started going back to. It used to be rundown, and overwhelmed with the filth of society. Its still not somewhere you would want to live.

[MrFancypants]

Originally Posted by Pethegreat

Have you had stuff thrown at you yet? I get the occasional drive by insult from 16 year olds in ricers(Japanese small cars with way too many DIY modifications). You should be better off with a bike since the Southern US is flatter than PA. If you do walk, get a reflective vest. I can't tell you how many times I have almost hit this one guy who walks an insane amount year round.


Anywhere outside the cities in the US was never designed for anything other than cars.

Luckily I haven't had stuff thrown at me yet. I usually don't walk near roads after dark so I don't really need relfective clothing, but I still feel a bit uncomfortable walking near roads as I am used to sidewalks.

Originally Posted by Rich19

For some odd reason, this brought back a memory of an English exam I did a while back, to do with analysing some text. The text was by Bill Bryson on this exact subject. I found the article: https://www.caremark.com/wps/portal/...S?topic=bryson

I remember thinking he was exaggerating... Have you had any experiences like this?

An interesting article and it is quite close to the truth. In Germany people sometimes joke that Americans would drive 100 feet to get their mail instead of walking that distance and I've really seen people do that here.
I've also seen people leaving their engines running or driving relatively short distances from one shop to another - but as it is so hot here I can understand that.

I often walk to a supermarket that is not so far away from where I live but on the way I have to cross the parking lot of a company. Pedestrians are apparently so unusual here that someone called security the first few times which shadowed me until I left the parking lot. I guess by now they got used to crazy Germans though

Originally Posted by SeinfeldRules

What things about America surprised you the most, both positively and negatively?

As for negative surprises, it was really surprising to see that there is no sort of recycling in Alabama. Even things that are easy to recycle like glass are simply thrown away. It is also strange how many plastic bags you get while shopping, in the first week alone I got more plastic bags from supermarkets than I've used in Germany over the last year (after that I bought a large cloth bag which is a good way for people in supermarkets to identify me as noone else uses these).
It wasn't really a surprise, but I was glad to see that most of the prejudices that Europeans have against Americans aren't based on facts. I think the friendliness and hospitality of the people here was the most pleasant surprise.
It is also interesting how many restaurants and shops there are here. There is a lot of variety for spending your free time and money. Restaurants are typically also much larger than their German counterparts and belong much more often to a chain. Eating out seems to be more popular here, no surprise there - it tastes good, is cheaper and the service is better (free refills for the win!).

[Jeffro]

How are the water fountains treating you? lol

[Vasili]

Originally Posted by Mr. Matt

Kinda ironic considering Birmingham in the UK, the city after which I presume yours is named, is officially the gateway to Hell...

And it's the Muslim belt!

[Pethegreat]

Eating out seems to be more popular here, no surprise there - it tastes good, is cheaper and the service is better (free refills for the win!).

What places are you eating at? I hope they are local family run businesses. You are not going to get a real taste of America unless you go to the small family run places to eat. Stay away from the big chains. They will ruin you view on American food.

I often walk to a supermarket that is not so far away from where I live but on the way I have to cross the parking lot of a company. Pedestrians are apparently so unusual here that someone called security the first few times which shadowed me until I left the parking lot. I guess by now they got used to crazy Germans though

I get odd looks from people in cars when they see me riding my bike. I always get the kids to stare at me for as long as they can when they ride by me. It is like they have never seen a bike. I do know just about every person who walk a dog in my area because of my frequent riding(12-20 miles a day)

The swiss are very good bike riders. I rode with a swiss exchange student last year. The guy had no problems climbing up %10 grade that continued for about 650 feet(200m). Hearing stories from him, it seemed like having to bike up steep hills was a normal experience.

I looked at the article. There are some days I will walk 1.4 miles in an hour at my job, and currently I use a bike about %60 of the time when I leave my house. Now I do now have as many problems with the infrastructure as he did since a bike is much faster than a feet and is required by law to follow all vehicle laws. I will still not travel into an area near me that has several strip malls. The drivers are not used to bikes, and there are no shoulders for me to ride along. It is not like city where traffic is only around 10-15mph. Here it runs around 35mph.

If I ever go to Europe I will make sure to bring a bike with me. From what I have heard it much more bike friendly over there.

[MrFancypants]

Originally Posted by Jeffro

How are the water fountains treating you? lol

They are rather quiet, but I think I prefer it this way :P

Originally Posted by Pethegreat

What places are you eating at? I hope they are local family run businesses. You are not going to get a real taste of America unless you go to the small family run places to eat. Stay away from the big chains. They will ruin you view on American food.

I've tried most restaurants close to where I live and was invited to several of the better (usually family owned) restaurants by coworkers. I like the smaller chains (for example Baumhower's Wings), the larger ones not so much (except for IHOP). The family owned restaurants are great as they offer specialities from this area (grilled fish, corn bread, gravy and such), so I get something new to try for a change.

I get odd looks from people in cars when they see me riding my bike. I always get the kids to stare at me for as long as they can when they ride by me. It is like they have never seen a bike. I do know just about every person who walk a dog in my area because of my frequent riding(12-20 miles a day)

The swiss are very good bike riders. I rode with a swiss exchange student last year. The guy had no problems climbing up %10 grade that continued for about 650 feet(200m). Hearing stories from him, it seemed like having to bike up steep hills was a normal experience.

I looked at the article. There are some days I will walk 1.4 miles in an hour at my job, and currently I use a bike about %60 of the time when I leave my house. Now I do now have as many problems with the infrastructure as he did since a bike is much faster than a feet and is required by law to follow all vehicle laws. I will still not travel into an area near me that has several strip malls. The drivers are not used to bikes, and there are no shoulders for me to ride along. It is not like city where traffic is only around 10-15mph. Here it runs around 35mph.

If I ever go to Europe I will make sure to bring a bike with me. From what I have heard it much more bike friendly over there.

The Dutch have crazy amounts of bikes, bringing your own is probably not even necessary if you go there (and possibly a bad idea as they are often stolen). In most German cities you will also find ways reserved for bikes, but you have to pay extra if you want to use public transportation and bring a bike along.
The only bike I have seen here was one on a highway. Maybe not the best place for riding a bike, although it is rather fuel efficient.