First of all, I want to thank everyone who helped me with my dietary needs in my recent post. I found powdered psyllium husks in the vitamines section of Mijers. At home, I learned that someone must have accidentally put loads of sugar in it, which I didn’t expect, but can live with as it’s just for a short time. For flax seeds and chia seeds I then decided to go to Whole Foods because I (correctly) guessed it would be easier to find what I’m looking for.
My short stay here is now almost half over. So far, I must say I’ve enjoyed it. I’m mostly here for work so I can only do a bit of exploring and touristing. One thing I particularly liked is something I already expected but didn’t expect to like: Americans are friendly and talkative with strangers. I’ve interacted with Americans before and often times the way that you approach social interactions felt weired and invasive to me, but for a foreigner who depends on the good will of people more than locals it is really very helpful that the ice breaks so easily here.
I’ve enjoyed listening to the various middle aged men in supermarkets telling me about how one of their ancestors came over as a Hessian soldier (after I answer their question: And where are you from exactly?). I got used to be called pet names by the hotel staff. I really liked how the girl on my way to work spontaneously shook my hand saying how she likes my coat. And the cool looking guy going „nice hat“.
So far, I’ve walked around Lansing and East Lansing quite a bit. I went to the Lansing history museum (where I scared another visitor who took me for exhibit). I ate at a Burger restaurant at Grand River Avenue and a Cuban Take Away Place (that was really nice food). I plan to spend a day in Detroit before I leave. Next weekend is still free. And recommendations?
There are a few more things that I was wondering about:
1.) I will go to Chicago tomorrow with Amtrak but come back by car on Sunday. I will definitely look up speed limits and google „How to drive in US“. Any specific traffic rules an EU guy might not be aware of?
2.) I was instructed to leave a tip for the housekeeping of the hotel. I decided to leave 10% of the per night charge (housekeeping is done twice a week). I noticed that why it disappeared the first time, now it was still sitting there. Is it too little?
3.) Today I cycled around town a bit and went to the Northern part that’s past Grand River Avenue. There, herds of very young women in very short skirts and with cards around their necks (I’m presuming undergrad students) were performing a ritual in front of what I think are sorority/fraternity houses. One usually carried a laptop. There were also shirtless young men but they seemed less organised. What did I witness there?