Findlay, Ohio
The first day was a chance to sleep in, have a lazy breakfast and do some washing.
Iain went to one of the local funeral companies to be shown around, and compare notes on how funerals differ between Australia and USA. He really enjoyed the opportunity.
We saw our first squirrel – sorry Lochie we didn’t have our camera on us at the time! Also lots of pretty birds.
Apparently there are deer around too, although all that we have seen are concrete ones in people’s gardens. Quite a few are life size ones so we’ve fallen “hook,line and sinker” sometimes, believing that they are real.
Iain is feeling very disillusioned, for many years he has heard about and wanted to try the food served at “Taco Bill” only to discover it is really “Taco Bell”! When we saw one in LA he was adamant that the sign was wrong and that they must have made a mistake when it was painted, but guess what – all of the restaurants are Taco Bell. Think it must have something to do with the kiwi accent & hearing! Some of the family would remember the hill and hell story?!
It’s been good being able to quiz Andrew on a lot of things we have seen and not known or understood what it was eg Nicholas wanted to know why there was so much water in the toilet bowl.
A meal in a café or restaurant is very different to Australia. When you order a steak, you get asked if you would like soup or a salad, and that is served before you get your steak – then the steak comes out usually with a huge mound of mashed potato. It must be a common complaint of Australians because our bus driver that took us to Universal Studios told us of a place to eat that Australians love because the veggies come out with your meal.
We went bowling with Andrew & Nancy, none of us did very well. Think we must all be a bit rusty. We’ve shopped at Walmart – what a huge shop.
I had never realised that they sell groceries as well, so it was interesting to wander the aisles, check out prices and types of food available. Bananas were 49c per pound, iceberg lettuces 50c & 16 inch pizzas $8.49.
There is a wonderful antique ‘shop’ in Findlay which is huge and it would be easy to get lost in there for a couple of hours – ok I’ll admit that Iain and I did. When the boys had enough they went and sat in the car with Andrew.
We’ve been to the cinema at Findlay to see the movie ”Diary of a Wimpy Kid”so much cheaper than in Australia.
Berlin, Ohio 
We set off early to drive down to the Amish country – Ohio has the largest Amish community in USA. It was really cold – 0 C. The country side is beautiful but also varied. Some areas are flat and others hilly but very green compared to what we have left behind in Australia - and beautiful trees. The flowering pear is particularly beautiful.
There are so many primitive styled shops, country homewares and food shops in Berlin.
We lunched at a restaurant run by the Amish and whilst in there, waiting for our food, it started to snow lightly. Like 4 idiots we ran outside to feel and taste it while everyone in the dining area watched us through the windows. Someone explained that we were Australians and don’t see snow! 
After having snow on the Friday, Saturday turned out to be a beautiful sunny day - still cool and perfect for having a buggy ride, more shopping and enjoying looking around.
Andrew had actually made some snowballs from the last snow that they had and them in the freezer for us to throw at each other. They were no longer soft and fluffy but frozen hard so we threw them at the tree. 
Andrew and Nancy invited a few friends over on Sunday afternoon - to hear our accents! Now there is one thing we know for sure, is that we don't have any accents at all - everyone else does! Iain has had quite a few problems with people not understanding him at all. Of course it doesn't help when he uses terms like "it's a thumper", "starving lizards" or "go for your life"!
Not very many houses have fences around their yards - the neighbour is an exception and that is because they 'dog sit' at times for their family. It is easy to check out what your neighbours are doing in all directions. The lawns are lush and GREEN and at the moment, they will mow 2 or 3 times a week! Iain doesn't know how he would get on without a fence, you wouldn't know when to stop mowing!
Iain went to one of the local funeral companies to be shown around, and compare notes on how funerals differ between Australia and USA. He really enjoyed the opportunity.
We saw our first squirrel – sorry Lochie we didn’t have our camera on us at the time! Also lots of pretty birds.Apparently there are deer around too, although all that we have seen are concrete ones in people’s gardens. Quite a few are life size ones so we’ve fallen “hook,line and sinker” sometimes, believing that they are real.
Iain is feeling very disillusioned, for many years he has heard about and wanted to try the food served at “Taco Bill” only to discover it is really “Taco Bell”! When we saw one in LA he was adamant that the sign was wrong and that they must have made a mistake when it was painted, but guess what – all of the restaurants are Taco Bell. Think it must have something to do with the kiwi accent & hearing! Some of the family would remember the hill and hell story?!
It’s been good being able to quiz Andrew on a lot of things we have seen and not known or understood what it was eg Nicholas wanted to know why there was so much water in the toilet bowl.
A meal in a café or restaurant is very different to Australia. When you order a steak, you get asked if you would like soup or a salad, and that is served before you get your steak – then the steak comes out usually with a huge mound of mashed potato. It must be a common complaint of Australians because our bus driver that took us to Universal Studios told us of a place to eat that Australians love because the veggies come out with your meal.
We went bowling with Andrew & Nancy, none of us did very well. Think we must all be a bit rusty. We’ve shopped at Walmart – what a huge shop.
I had never realised that they sell groceries as well, so it was interesting to wander the aisles, check out prices and types of food available. Bananas were 49c per pound, iceberg lettuces 50c & 16 inch pizzas $8.49.There is a wonderful antique ‘shop’ in Findlay which is huge and it would be easy to get lost in there for a couple of hours – ok I’ll admit that Iain and I did. When the boys had enough they went and sat in the car with Andrew.
We’ve been to the cinema at Findlay to see the movie ”Diary of a Wimpy Kid”so much cheaper than in Australia.
Berlin, Ohio We set off early to drive down to the Amish country – Ohio has the largest Amish community in USA. It was really cold – 0 C. The country side is beautiful but also varied. Some areas are flat and others hilly but very green compared to what we have left behind in Australia - and beautiful trees. The flowering pear is particularly beautiful.There are so many primitive styled shops, country homewares and food shops in Berlin.We lunched at a restaurant run by the Amish and whilst in there, waiting for our food, it started to snow lightly. Like 4 idiots we ran outside to feel and taste it while everyone in the dining area watched us through the windows. Someone explained that we were Australians and don’t see snow! After having snow on the Friday, Saturday turned out to be a beautiful sunny day - still cool and perfect for having a buggy ride, more shopping and enjoying looking around.Andrew had actually made some snowballs from the last snow that they had and them in the freezer for us to throw at each other. They were no longer soft and fluffy but frozen hard so we threw them at the tree. Andrew and Nancy invited a few friends over on Sunday afternoon - to hear our accents! Now there is one thing we know for sure, is that we don't have any accents at all - everyone else does! Iain has had quite a few problems with people not understanding him at all. Of course it doesn't help when he uses terms like "it's a thumper", "starving lizards" or "go for your life"!It has been a great source of entertainment for the rest of us.
Not very many houses have fences around their yards - the neighbour is an exception and that is because they 'dog sit' at times for their family. It is easy to check out what your neighbours are doing in all directions. The lawns are lush and GREEN and at the moment, they will mow 2 or 3 times a week! Iain doesn't know how he would get on without a fence, you wouldn't know when to stop mowing!Iain has been interested in seeing the drive-thru ATM's and he got a chance to try one out, except he was on the wrong side of the car, so he had to do a walk thru!
We are all packed up and ready to leave on the next leg of our holiday. Tomorrow afternoon we fly to Washington and then overnight to Paris. We change planes in Paris and head to London and should arrive there on Wednesday at 11.15am.
Be good!
I really enjoyed that post Christina. Gee it looks lovely with no fences but we Australians must like our privacy. Americans must feel like we are all very fenced in here. But how would you cope with people who don't do any work in their yards....I couldn't live with that. Looks like from the photo at Andrews that is not a problem.
I wondered why Iain looked so unco at the atm when I first saw the photo!!!
Tell Iain we bought the TV from Minlaton the day we saw him there...(YES WEEKS AGO!!!!!) and its turned up today! Not happy Jan....we had been to Adelaide several times since then and could have had one from harvey Norman for the Holidays!!!
My yeast was no where near Marions I'll have to go there for a lesson!!
I REALLY get what you are saying about the craft shops...Imagine if we had been let loose there 3 years ago!!! I would be much more into looking at art places now!
Specking of they want me to do some paintings/sewing to sell/display at the wooden boat regatta this weekend...how do you like their chances?? I've said yes of course...will I ever learn..Okay this has turned more into an email than a comment...LOL
Andrew and Nancy both look really well and happy. It would have been great to catch up with them. I would have loved to see the Amish Shops and Communities. Keep having fun. All is well here.
Must have been great to see your family and rest up a bit - sounds like you have lots more adventure ahead and I look forward to hearing about them all!
wow, its so neat reading your "blog", Just like having a holiday ourselves!!. Wll take in the "next installment" to Gpa. New carpet for G tomorrow xoxo
We are looking forward to your show and tell! By now (our time) I think you would have been to the sequel of Phantom, how was it?
OMG what is with earthquakes and volcanoes!!!! Hopefully none of your flights will be affected!!!
Are you having internet connection troubles??? Where's our London update?? Maybe you're just having too much fun to bother with posting!!!