Welcome to another episode of AMERICAPLUS! This week, your host, Cole McCormick, is joined by Shannon Passey for a fascinating discussion on the cultural differences between Italy, Greece, Turkey, and the United States. Shannon shares her travel experiences, highlighting the importance of international travel for Americans and the unique lifestyles and cultures she encountered.
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[00:00:00]
Cole McCormick:
Let's go international.
[00:00:07] Shannon Passey:
What's up, everyone? It's America Plus. I'm your host, Colm McCormick. It's another week, another episode. What's going on, everybody? It's Sunday, July 21st. What's going on, folks? What's going on? Welcome to America Plus. It's another beautiful week to be alive.
[00:00:20] Cole McCormick:
I'm coming to you live, sort of live, from my, Betty from my Betty Betty bedtime. We're I'm chilling here with Shannon Passi. We're gonna have a conversation here about, the differences between the cultures, and lifestyles of the Italian culture and versus the American culture alongside the Greek and the Turkish. Correction? Yes. So right on. So this is like a world traveling episode. Like, we're getting perspectives of different countries, and we're bringing them back into America. This is an important thing. Do you agree with this thing? Like, is it important? First of all, do like, do you think it's important to travel as an American?
[00:01:03] Unknown:
Yes. I feel like people in other countries have somewhat of an advantage because they're not as big as the US, so they're able to be a little bit more traveled. Like, if you live in England or you you live in Europe somewhere, if you drive 2 to 4 hours, you're in a different country. But Yeah. It's a it's a completely different landscape. Yeah. So valuable. Yes. And so I think it's very important to see how other people live in cultures. But I also don't I also recognize that it's a privilege to do so, especially if you do live in the United States. I think it's important to travel within the United States as well, even if you can't go international. Just traveling in general is healthy for the soul. Yes. Yeah. So you went to Italy, you went to Greece,
[00:01:47] Cole McCormick:
and you went to Turkey. Yes. The biggest one is Italy. The biggest thing is Rome. So let's talk about let's just stay there. Tell me the first steps on Roman soil. What are your emotions? What are your thoughts?
[00:02:03] Unknown:
I was so excited. It's been my mom and my dream to go ever since I was very little. So I was very, very hyped. I was a little nervous about the language barrier. I'd say
[00:02:17] Cole McCormick:
But you got Duolingo?
[00:02:19] Unknown:
Yes. I did do Duolingo. I learned, like, common phrases, but I didn't get very far. I did it for, like, a month ahead of time. I should have probably done it
[00:02:31] Cole McCormick:
a lot. You should've studied more. Yes. Oh, Yes.
[00:02:37] Unknown:
But luckily, I'd say about 99% of the people we interact with spoke English. The only time there was a bit more of a language barrier was anytime we got, like, a ride somewhere. So any of the taxis, Ubers, it was a little bit more more difficult just because the other places you were were more, like, tourist facing. Why are taxi drivers always native
[00:03:00] Cole McCormick:
to the land? Why are they never accommodating to I don't know. But, honestly,
[00:03:04] Unknown:
I prefer that because I trust that they know where they're going. If I went to a different country and had, like, a full fledged English speaker, like, no accent, clearly not a native, I'd be like You wouldn't enjoy it? I'd be a little like, Yeah. I'm not getting the full authentic experience. Yeah. You sure do want the weird Italian guy driving you around? Yeah. Like, I want him to be speeding past the mopeds and everything. Taking you the long way? Yeah. Like, I want the scenic way. I want him using the gestures and Yeah. And did you get that? I did. Wow.
[00:03:40] Cole McCormick:
So that was satisfying. You got to see old men wave their hands in the air. Yes. What about, like, the culture, like, the people? Like, what was different about the people? Are they different people?
[00:03:54] Unknown:
They are so much more relaxed. Like, the quality of life, you can see a difference. I one of our taxi drivers said to us they said in America, you work what was it? It was you live to work, and in other places outside of America, you work to live. So they are all about
[00:04:24] Cole McCormick:
just, like, relaxing throughout their day. Just doing what they can for work Yeah. Like so they can have enough money to do what they want. Yeah. Like, they have
[00:04:33] Unknown:
more time off. Like, half the time you see everyone's outside for lunch. They're taking a long lunch. Shops are closed down at certain points because sometimes people are, like, taking their naps and stuff like that. Like, it's just such a more relaxed state of being than it is here where everything is so fast paced. And even So was that a shock to you? I expected it, but it was a little jarring to go out on a weekday at, like, 11 AM on a weekday and see so many people just, like, on the streets relaxing, buying stuff, eating, and, like, the food service is different. It's they don't bring a check to you until you ask for
[00:05:18] Cole McCormick:
it. Like Well, isn't that is that not
[00:05:21] Unknown:
a lot of reference? No. In America, they're constantly stopping by your table. They're taking things out of the way, and they, like, immediately bring you, like, your bill. But there, you could literally see that. Or the yeah. The bill yeah. The bill in the states is, like, sort of omnipresent. It's, like Yeah. You're watching your bill add up while you order at some places. Yeah. And they come by and they're, like, how was everything? And they take all the plates, and then they give you the bill. It doesn't mean you necessarily have to leave then. But in Italy, you could stay there for hours, and they won't give you a bill Right. Until you, like, waive them down.
[00:05:55] Cole McCormick:
That's so interesting. So does that mean that they're less worried about money or they're more comfortable with money?
[00:06:01] Unknown:
I think that they live from my perspective, they live in a society where basic needs are met.
[00:06:13] Cole McCormick:
And
[00:06:14] Unknown:
What are those basic needs, though? Like I would I mean, I A job? Yeah. Like, they have a job. I'm they have I there's not a tipping culture, so they're all getting paid at least minimum wage.
[00:06:25] Cole McCormick:
Mhmm.
[00:06:26] Unknown:
Their health care is completely different. I'm assuming it's somewhat socialized. There's no homeless people on the streets. Mhmm. It's you have nicer areas, obviously, and quote, unquote poorer areas. Mhmm. But you never see what you would see in LA. Yeah. And so I am assuming. Right. Like so, like, the homelessness wasn't crazy like it is in LA? No. I didn't see a single homeless person. And I'm not saying there's not homelessness. I'm just saying that they obviously don't allow them to be on the streets. Mhmm.
[00:07:03] Cole McCormick:
I That's because, like, I mean, you went to the all the biggest places. Like, you saw the Vatican. You saw
[00:07:08] Unknown:
like, what are the places you saw? Like, you went to all the biggest Yeah. I saw things. You saw David? Yeah. I saw so in we went to Florence and Venice, and then we stayed in Rome. We just did day trips to Florence and Venice. We saw David. We saw the Venice canals, Rialto Bridge. And then in Rome, we did the Colosseum and the Vatican. And there's definitely, like, sketchier areas, where they're trying to, like, get you into stores or, like, you know, trying to sell stuff. But there really isn't it's not very dirty. It's not
[00:07:46] Cole McCormick:
So Rome is clean?
[00:07:48] Unknown:
Yeah. Like, you just don't see Clean. You just don't see what you see in LA.
[00:07:54] Cole McCormick:
Dirt,
[00:07:55] Unknown:
cockroaches. Comes yeah. Like, the the homeless people.
[00:07:59] Cole McCormick:
Weird mental ill men.
[00:08:02] Unknown:
Yeah. Yeah. And it's sad. It's what I'm trying to say is that it seems like there is a different baseline in Italy than there is in America.
[00:08:13] Cole McCormick:
The baseline California.
[00:08:15] Unknown:
Yes. The baseline there seems like it's a higher baseline.
[00:08:21] Cole McCormick:
Mhmm.
[00:08:22] Unknown:
So people are doing better generally, you think? Yeah. And I know it's expensive, especially in Rome. Mhmm. But it's crazy seeing the price differences because my mom and I in Florence, we went to this restaurant. She got an alcoholic drink. I got, like, a soda. We split a gluten free appetizer.
[00:08:47] Cole McCormick:
Mhmm.
[00:08:48] Unknown:
I got a gluten free pizza. She got some pasta meal. We then split a gluten free dessert, and the total tip included, we you don't tip. It's included Mhmm. In the check, $60.
[00:09:06] Cole McCormick:
Wow. And that sounds like a meant that sounds like a meal meant to be, like,
[00:09:11] Unknown:
120 out here. Yes. And I was like, I never get appetizers. I rarely get dessert. I usually just get a drink and the main course here. Mhmm. And But out there, you're getting everything because you can, and it's also really good. And it yes. And it was only $60, tip included. Wow. I was like, that is insane. And, obviously, there's gonna be places that are gonna have you know, it all varies. I'm sure there are places where that would be, like, over a $100 somewhere. But and just the quality of food is amazing, and they're, like, the number one country for gluten free food. Mhmm. And you had a bunch. I had a bunch of gluten free. Free exclusive. Yes. You're it's not just that you're gluten free.
[00:09:55] Cole McCormick:
You're only gonna eat a gluten free item. Right? Or, like, it has to be labeled gluten free. Yeah. Or if it Gluten free meat. Gluten free water.
[00:10:08] Unknown:
No. If it doesn't say meat on it, I'll eat it. But they had so many gluten free things. Like, there is an entire bakery dedicated to gluten free stuff, and it was stuff you don't usually find here. It's like croissants and a bunch of different pastries and tarts and things that I would assume are harder to make. Wait. You're talking about, like, in bakeries?
[00:10:30] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. Yeah. I've never heard of a bakery having a gluten free croissant. I have never seen a gluten free croissant in America.
[00:10:37] Unknown:
Croissant. Croissant. Croissant. I've never seen that, and I was flabbergasted. And then Was it good? Oh my god. It was amazing. I did not have a single bad meal. I think my least favorite What's a peak croissant?
[00:10:53] Cole McCormick:
Croissant.
[00:10:55] Unknown:
It's buttery and flaky. Are you putting butter on it, or it needs to be buttery when you buy it? It's buttery when you buy it. I tried 2 different ones. 1 had white chocolate filling,
[00:11:05] Cole McCormick:
and the other So you had a doughnut? Essentially, yes. That's that's called a doughnut with the with the white chocolate filling.
[00:11:15] Unknown:
And then I had one that had this, like, not cream cheese, but just like this, like, soft cheese inside.
[00:11:23] Cole McCormick:
A soft cheese. Yeah. Like a cheddar?
[00:11:26] Unknown:
No. Just like a white it looks like something that would be on, like, a white pizza at Burrows.
[00:11:32] Cole McCormick:
Ricotta?
[00:11:33] Unknown:
It might have been. It might it's something like that. But, oh my god. And I swear, the least, quote, unquote, least favorite meal that I had was literally spaghetti, and it was still so good. Mhmm. But the pizza's that way. It got to the point where my mom on our last day got a gluten free plain cheese pizza like I did because she everyone had been sampling my gluten free food throughout and had determined that my gluten free food was tasting better than theirs. So it's mom approved. Yeah. The gluten free It's mom approved. Dough is mom approved. Yeah. And it's so interesting because you can tell it doesn't have the same amount of, like, fillers.
[00:12:18] Cole McCormick:
Than America?
[00:12:20] Unknown:
Yeah. So And you can taste that out here. Like, you know that when you eat it here? Yes. Like, the fruit is ginormous here. Like, it's clearly given things to make it so big. Mhmm. My mom talked about that when she first moved to America. She was, like, terrified at the produce because it was so big. And your mom's from England? Yeah. And she was like, I don't like, she had just never seen fruit so big.
[00:12:48] Cole McCormick:
So now you're reacting to the fruit in Rome, which is? Just like normal Tiny? Not tiny, but tiny. Strawberries?
[00:12:56] Unknown:
No. But they're just juicier, and they're more colorful. But they just happen to be a little smaller. I don't know. I feel like
[00:13:05] Cole McCormick:
here, they care more about the size of stuff or the way it looks than maybe the taste. Yeah. Here, like, every day at the grocery store needs to be like, oh my god. I saw this crazy thing. Like, I feel like they really try to make it like All based on the visual. High expectations of like, oh, you need to see the the ripest, the biggest, the fullest. And it doesn't mean that it's the tastiest or the best, like, most nutritious.
[00:13:28] Unknown:
And there well, starting off, it's difficult for me to get full because my gluten allergy and sometimes I'm not getting the right nutrients, so it's hard for me to feel very full. Well, you just don't eat you just don't eat a lot in general. Saying is, like, the fullest I will feel here is if I have, like, a Chipotle bowl, and that's all carbs. That's, like, when I really feel full. Mhmm. Otherwise, I'm hungry within an hour or 2. Over there, I was having a good amount of portions, but I I wasn't feeling the grossness of, like, feeling full.
[00:14:11] Cole McCormick:
Mhmm. Were were you having, like, as many carbs out there as you were here? I've I
[00:14:17] Unknown:
mostly had gluten free pizza, gluten free pasta, gelato, and pastries.
[00:14:25] Cole McCormick:
Like, it was heavy car. So it was big vacation food?
[00:14:29] Unknown:
Yes. And you felt better on it? Yes. And I didn't it's it's weird because I felt full in a sense that I wasn't hungry Mhmm. But not full in a sense that I felt sick. Like, it felt like I had put good food in my body, and I was full from that. Not that I had, like, gorged myself on something not yummy or, like, not nutritious.
[00:14:56] Cole McCormick:
Mhmm. But you definitely, it tasted generally healthier. Like, you could tell it was lighter. It was a Yes. Lighter substance. And Yes. And you fell but you did have more meat than usual out there. Yes. You're eating a lot of meat. That was more on the cruise. Okay. Yeah. So that's so that's like a little part of, like, the story of, like, that's I it it it it's a little interesting because you went to Rome, but then you get to Rome and then you go on a cruise, and you're island hopping between other countries Yeah. Within your wait. Is is Greek is Greece in in in Europe? I don't think it is. It's like to the side of it. But is Greece a part of Europe?
And Turkey? Is Turkey a part of Europe? Yeah. Is it?
[00:15:41] Unknown:
I'm not gonna try to say. It's, like, near Italy. It's, like, to the side of it. Okay. But is it
[00:15:47] Cole McCormick:
in Europe? I think so. Country Russia's not in Europe. It's right next to Switzerland. That's true.
[00:15:54] Unknown:
I'm, like, 99% sure it's still in the Europe category.
[00:15:59] Cole McCormick:
Heard? Okay. So you're traveling around Europe. You're traveling around Europe, but you're on this cruise in between Greece and Turkey. And so you you're, like, going back into the American matrix Yes. Of what the food situation is. So you you you enjoyed the food in Rome. You enjoyed the culture in Rome, but then you're on the cruise ship. You're what is that about? Then we get on the cruise,
[00:16:27] Unknown:
and the cruise is amazing. Food was great. My only issue But it was classic American options. Right? Classic. Yeah. It was like, you could tell they got a lot of products, like, from America. And my only issue is when you're on the cruise, there are, like, included meals with your cruise. Mhmm. And those happen to be breakfast, the buffet. This is, like, a buffet most of the time. Right? Yeah. So you can go and do a sit down breakfast and sit down dinner. Those are included. Or you can do the buffet at your own time. That's open throughout the whole day. My issue with the cruise ship was that the included dinners were 3 courses.
[00:17:18] Cole McCormick:
So you're eating so and you feel like you have to eat all of it because you paid for all of it? Yes. And they're not So you're eating all of it. Portions.
[00:17:27] Unknown:
But I'm not the type of person that needs 3 meals a day.
[00:17:31] Cole McCormick:
You're eating it because you paid for it. And so yes. And
[00:17:35] Unknown:
for me, personally, I don't think I would have felt as bad, but they were so generous with they would they found out I was gluten free. The may like, the head chef came and the manager, and we're like, we are going to give you the menu the night before, the next like, tomorrow's menu the night before. You star or circle what you want for each course, your appetizer, your main, and your dessert, and we will make it gluten free. We will accommodate it.
[00:18:09] Cole McCormick:
Wow. And it was so baby.
[00:18:12] Unknown:
It was so nice and so lovely. Nobody puts baby in the corner. But I then felt so bad if we, you know, one of the days in Turkey, we, I had some breakfast at the buffet, and then we went into Turkey. And the people I was with, they wanted lunch. I didn't have lunch because I wasn't that hungry, or, like, I might have had just a little bit. But by the time we got back on the boat, I would actually, it was a different day. It was a different day that I actually did eat. Basically, I had lunch, and then I wasn't hungry for dinner, but then you've I felt as a people pleaser, I was like, oh, but they have studied the menu, and they have accommodated it. Like, you know, like, I I have to be there. They've made a lot of money.
[00:18:57] Cole McCormick:
And then they were, like, really hospitable with you. They were so nice. And so it's like, wow. Now now it's like it's like death by grandma?
[00:19:05] Unknown:
Yes. Death by grandma's cookies. Like they've already made mine. Like, they've already accommodated it. It's ready. Like, what a waste if I don't show up.
[00:19:14] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. That's yeah. So and you have anxiety. And I have anxiety. So
[00:19:19] Unknown:
Yes. That's And I don't like making people upset. I'm a big people pleaser. And I was like, oh, I like they've gone through they've gone ex like, through extra steps to make sure I feel comfortable eating there.
[00:19:33] Cole McCormick:
And but you didn't? I did. I just wasn't necessarily hungry each time. Okay. So it was just a lot of food. So I guess, like, the differences of the food, like, Rome and Italy, they're giving you, like, an like, enough food at a good price. Smaller portions. Smaller portions. And then you're on this boat, which is, like, overfilling everything, all of your needs Yes. In every avenue. You can get food at literally any time. It's pretty much Las Vegas
[00:20:03] Unknown:
on on on water. Yes. You can get room service at any Woah. Excuse me. You can get room service. Be careful. I hiccuped. You can get room service at any time. You can like, there are places on the ship that are open till, like, 2 AM. Like, they're very much, like, no matter what, there's food available no matter what. Which is crazy. And then and then
[00:20:26] Cole McCormick:
I don't I I can't deal with that because that's like way too much temptation. But and then but then they took you to Greece. Right? And, like, different islands in Greece? Yes. What was I I I'm guessing it's, like, similar food throughout all the islands in Greece?
[00:20:39] Unknown:
Yeah. Yeah. It's What was that like? Similar food. A little bit more meat than Italy.
[00:20:45] Cole McCormick:
Like, you were eating more meat in Greece?
[00:20:49] Unknown:
Yeah. Like, I had more like, I had salmon. Like, there was more like fish because you're right by the water. In Turkey and in Greece, my brother had, like, kebabs. Like, there was, like, more of, like, the lamb, and, like, that kind of meat was, like, more heavily shown on the menus. But just the same as Italy again. It was, like, just good ingredients, smaller portions. And
[00:21:17] Cole McCormick:
Did the people like, did they look the same health wise? Like, do you think they look different because of what they eat? I definitely think they look different. I mean, you can find
[00:21:27] Unknown:
people all sizes anywhere, but the majority of the people in Italy and Greece are attractive and pretty slim, also because they walk everywhere. You know, not as many people have cars. So it's it's a mixture of their They have moped. Yeah. Yeah. But, no, it's just more a mixture of their lifestyle and the way they're eating and the fact that they do move a lot more in in day to day.
[00:21:57] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. So we don't really move a lot here in America.
[00:22:01] Unknown:
No. And I'm is necessary. Fast as well. And one thing that was so nice about Italy is that they stay late into the night. Like, you can get dinner at, like, 10 or 11 PM. Mhmm. And, like, people are outside just having family dinner. Yeah. Because they're usually going to bed later. Right? Yeah. And so it was very nice, and I kind of vibe more with that because on the cruise ship, dinner was at 6, and that was very early for me. Because a lot of times, I won't I'll have breakfast, and then sometimes I'll skip lunch. But when we were going out, I wanted to eat lunch, but we'd usually eat lunch around, like, 3. And then all of a sudden, 3 hours later, I'm having a 3 course meal. You know what I mean? Like, it was just the timing of it a lot was just a lot of food. You're stacking a lot of things. Yeah. It was just a lot of food. But luckily, in Italy, we were walking around so much. In Greece, we were doing day tours.
In Turkey, we're walking around so much. Like, they really you really don't have an option other than to walk off your food.
[00:23:06] Cole McCormick:
So what was, like so now you've seen Rome and Greece. Mhmm. What are your thoughts about the differences in America? Like, of of course, you're seeing ruins and, like, that's not really common in America. But, like, what are, like what's popping out as, like, a contrast between that place in America?
[00:23:28] Unknown:
I would say, yeah. Obviously, you've got much more historical culture and everything that you're seeing. I think one thing that really pops out is you see old people out way more than you do, at least in California. Like, you're seeing a very older demographic out and about within society in the way that you don't necessarily see here. Like, they're just doing normal stuff? They're doing normal stuff. They're older, but, like, they're very strong and capable, and they're just doing what you're doing. They're going to the shops. They're eating dinner. They're they're out and about. They're walking around. They're just their presence is a lot more noticeable than in, I'd say, in LA.
[00:24:16] Cole McCormick:
Because it's a lot more, like, sedentary. Like, someone's probably gonna stay home a lot more. Someone's probably Yeah. And Like, what what shop are what shops are you gonna go to out here? Unless you're, like, Yeah. Super duper uber rich, and you're going to, like Yes. Some, like like, all the nice places. And The most I see old people here is when I visit my mom at Ralph's.
[00:24:36] Unknown:
I don't know which day of the week, but there is a day of the week where they bought they have, like, the Burbank bus that takes 65 and over, and they take them to Ralphs and then pick them up later. So, like, they drop them off so they can shop. And then, like, an hour later, they pick them up. We got our old people on weekly schedules. Yeah. And we're driving that. Schedules. And so it's just very interesting contrast between someone here who's probably in their seventies versus someone in Italy or Greece in their seventies. Mhmm. So Completely different lifestyles.
[00:25:07] Cole McCormick:
Do you think they're exercising?
[00:25:09] Unknown:
Yeah. I think that just their day to day, they have to. Most people don't have cars. The transit system's amazing there. But you have to you still have to walk places to get there. They're doing their own shopping. I think it's just they're walking everywhere, and they have a healthier diet.
[00:25:28] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. Because out here you have to drive everywhere and, like Yeah. Like, it is just something It's it's one thing to think about, like, what if there was the option to, like, take, like, a train ride, take a subway to to the beach. Like, so we went to the beach today. And, you know, it doesn't take it takes it took, like, over an hour to get there. We don't even live that far. We live, like, freaking 20 miles away. We live, like, 28 miles. 28 miles from the beach. And it took like, how long did it take? It took over an hour to to get there. Yeah. Because of traffic. Yeah. Over an hour to drive 28 miles. Yeah. And then, like, it's like, can there just be a better way that we can just get there? And maybe I I don't care if I have to walk. You know? And that'll be like like, I've never really experienced public transportation. Like, I I I I've been to New York. I've been to the subway, but I don't really know what the real benefits of public transportation can be. And so to hear about, like, the European experience, like, you're mainly talking about Rome with public transportation, or is Greece Yeah. Like, pretty good as well? What about Turkey?
[00:26:38] Unknown:
Turkey, we were just, like we were the cruise pulled right up to the dock, so we didn't really have to worry. We just hung out, like, near the port. Oh, okay. But in Greece, they have, like, they have donkeys and stuff, but most people are walking. But what they have there mostly is, like, the water taxis. And so that's, like, really interesting. They have, like, water taxis to take you different islands and everything. I'm on a boat. But in Italy, I was blown away by their train system because my mom and I were able never having done a train in a foreign country, I was able to book us a train ride from Rome, figure out exactly which which, like, train station, go to Venice and back, and then the next day do Florence and back.
And it was incredible. And it was efficient? It was it's a high speed rail. It was super efficient. It's air conditioned. You have assigned seats. You have, like, a little phone charge report. You have a little, like, leg rest. How long how long were their trips? So to Florence, it was, like, an hour or so from Rome, and then from Rome to Venice, it was, like, 3, 3 and a half hours. But but you're on the train the whole time? Yeah. Yeah. You're on the train the whole time. There, you can, if you want it cheaper, you can get off at different stops, have, like, a couple different stops to make it cheaper, and just means your your ride takes a little longer.
But me being able to, the day before, figure out, okay. What's the nearest train station? Okay. See the schedule. They're going every, like, 30 minutes or so. Get us on the train and then calculate how to get back. Like, I was able to do it just on the on the fly.
[00:28:33] Cole McCormick:
That's really interesting. And and It's so efficient. And it's, like, clear to understand, like, clearly for an American. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And everyone's because everything's in Italian.
[00:28:42] Unknown:
Yes. You can still, like, figure it out though. I learned, like, the the Italian words for, like, Florence and Venice, just because that would be on the board. Is it Florence? It's Firenze. Firenze. And then no. I can't remember what Venice was.
[00:29:03] Cole McCormick:
Oh. You failed the pop quiz. I know.
[00:29:07] Unknown:
But you also have to learn military time. That's what I struggled with, was trying to calculate what time. Oh, they're on military? Yeah. Everything's on military time for the train. So I was trying to figure out, like, okay, if you wanna be back at this time, okay. And I'd have to, like, figure out the military time for it. Interesting. But me not having really any experience other than riding the bus when I was a kid to, like, swimming lessons. Like, we'd use the public train the public bus in San Diego when I was a kid, but that was just, like, one bus there and back. Mhmm.
Being able to go and just figure out the trains was incredible. And to get to these places in such a fast amount of time with nice like, it was it was a nice train. Like, we were in the cheapest part of the train, and it was so nice. Yeah. Yeah.
[00:29:57] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. I think we need more of those things, like, just for, like, utility. Like, it just seems, like, useful to just have that available to go to a because I would love to go to a famous place in, like, a few hours. Like Yeah. High speed. Like, how fast can you get me to, like, the middle of the country? Or Yes. What's a famous spot in the middle of the country? Mount Rushmore. From LA to Mount Rushmore. Like, what if I just wanted to go there to South Dakota, wherever it is?
[00:30:24] Unknown:
Even just to San Francisco in under 6 hours. San Francisco. Would take.
[00:30:28] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. Yeah. Literally. Yeah. You know? Yeah. Anything. That is the prime example out here. Like, just I I wanna get to San Fran really fast Yeah. And be able to just, like, do that. Why can't my life just be nice like that? Yeah. But no, it was really cool. I paid taxes.
[00:30:43] Unknown:
Literally. Literally. And everything was pretty clean, and people were nice.
[00:30:49] Cole McCormick:
You didn't really meet you didn't really get to see, like, the Turkish culture too much? Like, that was more pure?
[00:30:55] Unknown:
Yeah. So we stayed closer to the port. That was the only day we didn't have, like, an an cruise excursion. We had done tours and excursions on all the other days, but none of the turkey ones when we were looking at them really jumped out at us. And so we're like, oh, why don't we just explore on our own? So it was very cool because you could go through the bazaars, which is, like, where all the shops are and everything. They are a little aggressive because they they want you to come in the in their shop, and so they'll kinda you know, they'll try to entice you in. They might, like, follow you a little bit. Did they get you? I yeah. We we went into the store so that's You felt guilty for them?
No. Well, it was, like, that we knew that we'd probably go there to shop. It was, like, we knew the bazaars would be there. So we're like, okay. Let's just walk around on our own and, like, get lunch and just shop and, like, just, like, really just, like, experience stuff on our own. Like, really immerse ourselves not in a tour.
[00:31:52] Cole McCormick:
But where the tour ends? Yeah. Yeah. At the port.
[00:31:57] Unknown:
But, no, it was super, super cool and just seeing everyone's, like, culture. And they were never, like, disrespectful. They were obviously Just demanding of your money. They were just not they were a little pushy about getting you into the store, but they were very, like, respectful of you being like, oh, I'm just looking or being like, oh, no. Thank you. Like, they they took no as a no, and we're just, like you know? Yeah. Very nice about it.
[00:32:24] Shannon Passey:
So did you like being on the cruise because it was so American?
[00:32:28] Unknown:
Excuse me. I enjoyed the cruise just because it was, like, a little city on the water. Like, they had trivia night. They had karaoke. They had, like, different, like, dance parties after certain hours. Like, different, like they have, like, a seventies disco one night. I didn't go to it because it was, like, past 10. Yeah. That sounds like Las Vegas on
[00:32:50] Cole McCormick:
on water. It's very fun. So it's like it's such interesting how, like, do you want more of the European experience or the American experience? And you're really on a vacation where you have both. You're like you're totally, fulfilled with shows and food and drinks and Yeah. And all these things. And then it's like but you're there for, like, the culture and the art. Yeah. And so it's like,
[00:33:17] Unknown:
which one did you like more? I liked the pace and feel of Italy, Greece, and Turkey more than being on the boat. But what was so nice about the boat is there were 2 days, 1 on the way there and 1 on the way back where it was a full cruise day. You didn't get off the boat. It was just sailing.
[00:33:35] Cole McCormick:
I can't do that. I will never do that. I'll never take a cruise. Was when
[00:33:40] Unknown:
it was so helpful that there were so many things to do, and you can just pick and choose what you wanna do. So, like, I I would mostly tan near the pools on the top deck. I would eat lunch when I wanted to. They had, like, free ice cream near the pool. They had free, like, tacos and Mexican food. You could, like, make your own. So everything. Yeah. And then so I would, like I'd spend my day tanning and reading on the top deck. And then later in the day, they had, like, a spa there, and they had, like, fitness classes you could take, and, like, you could have, like, a session with a personal trainer, and you could do, like, arts and crafts. There was a a personal trainer, and you could do, like, arts and crafts. There was a board game room. Like, they basically had everything stacked, so that whatever you wanted to do for that whole day sailing, you could just do whatever you wanted at your own pace. And so what I would do is I'd tan, relax, maybe nap later, eat whenever I wanted to. And then in the evening, that's when I would go and do the things such as, like, the trivia night you really liked. We'd go and watch,
[00:34:41] Cole McCormick:
karaoke at night. We would do So what but in terms of, like, Europe and America, what were, like, the biggest pros and cons that you can really see between them?
[00:34:55] Unknown:
I've got a little list here. Okay. K. The pros for Italy slash Greece and Turkey, but I spent most of my time in Italy. The pros are the food, the transit system, the prices, the, like, the the society as a whole, like, when it comes to, like, the homeless and the trash and everything, like, all of that, the whole work to live instead of live to work mentality and just the pace in general was just much more relaxed and just, like, you could just tell they had a good quality of life despite how relaxed they were. Mhmm. Whereas if you saw how relaxed like, if you had someone go through their day, like, an Italian here, you'd be like, oh, that's probably a bum. You know what I mean? Like, that probably that person probably doesn't have a lot of, like, stuff going on. Interesting. Yeah. That's what we would judge them as. Yeah. Yeah. I'd be like, that person's probably a little lazy, or, like, they might not have a lot of, like, ambition.
[00:35:57] Cole McCormick:
They're just European.
[00:35:59] Unknown:
Yeah. Yeah. You'd be like, what are you doing with your day? The cons, Air conditioning. I was fortunate enough to be in hotels that had had air conditioning. I think for the majority of places now, they have air conditioning. However, there are places that don't, And it got very hot. My mom and I were of
[00:36:24] Cole McCormick:
no air conditioning.
[00:36:26] Unknown:
Our first day was one of, like, the hottest days. It was, like, a new record heat record for Rome. And 88 degrees. It was, like, 90 something, but the humidity was, like, 70%. Like, it was so humid. Wow. And so it was very hot when we were walking around and Sounds sticky. We had to oh, like, only certain shops had AC, and so we'd have to be like, oh, let's go in here. And eventually, when I was trying to get a taxi We have to go into the Gucci store. It's the only place with AC. At one point, the only place where they see was this hotel near us. And we went and sat in their lobby to call a taxi because it was taking so long to get a taxi because we were right by the Trevi Fountain. And so it was super, like, populated and everything, but, like, it was just so hot. Why didn't you just jump in the fountain?
It's illegal.
[00:37:15] Cole McCormick:
Why is it illegal? You can't get in the fountain. It's like off on a hot day? No. It's like a historical it's like a historical It's a public area. It's a protected landmark.
[00:37:23] Unknown:
Area. In theory, yes. Protected for your rights. Yeah. But it's protected from people getting in it. For your bodily There was a thing on Twitter. Literally, 2 or 3 days after we had visited the Trembic fountain, there was video of a dude jumping in and police running after him, and he got, like, someone, like, bodied him. Someone, like, tackled him. He got slammed. Yeah. And I was like, that's so crazy because I didn't think people did that. Could've been you. I could've honestly, if it had been, like if I gotten really dizzy, I probably would've been, like, I'm getting in this house. You didn't well, you didn't, like, drink a little bit of it? No.
[00:38:01] Cole McCormick:
Why not? Like, you didn't did you do anything? Did you do the penny? No. I didn't even do the penny. I know You didn't make a wish with the fountain? Have any
[00:38:09] Unknown:
coins with me. Oh my god. I just
[00:38:12] Cole McCormick:
had my So it's a cashless society, which is No other people can. Like, other people did, but I just had my card in me. It was my 1st day there. I can't believe you didn't make a wish. You didn't tell me that. I know. The whole reason you went is so that you could be like Lizzie McGuire.
[00:38:25] Unknown:
I know. And then you didn't make a wish. I know. I, like, made one in my mind, but I didn't throw a coin in. That's not a wish. Yeah. But, like, god heard it. So, like That's a prayer, and that's not what you went there for. You didn't go there to pray. It's not Israel. I don't know. But I did. I did at the Vatican get holy water.
[00:38:45] Cole McCormick:
What do you mean you got it? They have They gave it to you? They have holy water coming out of this, like, fountain You said you were in.
[00:38:52] Unknown:
Okay. And you can touch the holy water. It just, like, drips down. But it went from what? And there's, like, this, like, fountain of holy water.
[00:39:02] Cole McCormick:
Like a man made that's, like, it's, like, a little water feature at the Vatican?
[00:39:06] Unknown:
Inside. Yeah. And it has holy water and it just, like, drops down, and people put their hand in and they, like, rubbed it on their face. And so my mom and I got it, and we, like, rubbed a little on our face, and then we did, like, little, like, crossing even though we're not Catholic. We're, like, people are You do that in general? I do. You do that when we pass a dead rat? There's something comforting about crossing yourself. I don't know. I have OCD. Okay, people?
[00:39:30] Cole McCormick:
So Rome was, like, peak Rome Rome was peak religious, AC what's the you and your mom have, like, these little, like, religious tics. And so now you're seeing the roots of all those religious tics. You're in the motherland of all those Yes. Of of the guilt. Yes. That's where the guilt originates.
[00:39:52] Unknown:
Yeah. And I'm sure that there's AC in many places, but there were some places didn't have it. And we were like, oh, thank god. We were in the we found places that didn't have AC. Another con is the variety. So when you go into a store there, like, just a general store, they have, like, 1 or 2 of each item. So it is interesting when you come back to the United States and, like, just What what do you mean 1 or 2? Like, different options of, like, brands or, like Yeah. They literally only have 2 things on the shelf? No. No. Like, of the brands. Like, they might have 2 different types of crackers. They might have 2 different 2 or 3 different brands of these cookies. They might have, like, all of just this one water. Like, the variety of brands compared to, like, the cereal aisle in America.
You have an entire cereal aisle.
[00:40:42] Cole McCormick:
They have 2 cereals.
[00:40:43] Unknown:
And they had, you know, a few of each product on the shelf, you know, a few bread. Just less. Yeah. And so I was like, that is an interesting thing. I am very used to having so many choices.
[00:40:57] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. Like, we have, like how many peanut butter options do we have? Like, 12 or 15? And so I don't know if it's quite a con. It's a personal con for me. Some people might not like. Because you're looking for color scheme. You want branding. You want you don't care about seed oils. You don't care about It's not that I want. I just like to have the options. You just want the options in front of you? Yeah. I can't eat the majority of them, but I wanna know I have the option in case I do. And the lack of options makes you feel like you're not in control?
[00:41:27] Unknown:
It's not that. It's just I don't know. I think if I was able to eat everything, like, if I didn't have a gluten allergy and they only had, like, 2 or 3 options of each, like, staple, I'd be, like, oh, I kinda want, like, to try more. You know? I don't know. It might get a little boring.
[00:41:45] Cole McCormick:
Right.
[00:41:46] Unknown:
That's interesting. Yeah. I kind of like the absurd variety America has.
[00:41:54] Cole McCormick:
So you enjoy that. You want more variety. You want I like how Doritos cool ranch GI Joe edition I like the flavors. Yes. With the flavors. Yes. Spike of lime.
[00:42:04] Unknown:
Yeah. Like, I love the variety. I love how I love I love in the summer when they do, like, the chip flavor competition and people write in a new chip flavor. And for, like, couple months, you can have, like, oh, wild chip, a Lay's chip flavor.
[00:42:21] Cole McCormick:
Oh, yeah. I've heard something about that, but I've never done that. I've never tasted it. That is just like Like, we can make a flavor out of anything.
[00:42:28] Unknown:
Yeah. It's just satisfying.
[00:42:31] Cole McCormick:
I guess. From, like, some from, like, a laboratory scientific perspective, I guess. Yeah. Like, yeah, we can make any flavor.
[00:42:38] Unknown:
Yes. We can make you eat anything. If I live in a place that never had that, I think I might grow homesick of certain flavors.
[00:42:48] Cole McCormick:
Like, what? Nacho cheese?
[00:42:50] Unknown:
No. Like, I don't know. They do, like, wild, like I don't remember what it was called, but just, like, the different chip flavors.
[00:42:57] Cole McCormick:
Zebra cake spice?
[00:42:59] Unknown:
Yeah. Birthday cake? But, yeah, just the varieties. Very nice here. Mhmm. Another one at the it's hard to say con, but I was talking to my brother, and he was in the air force, and he did multiple tours in the Middle East. And I was talking to him about it, and I was agreeing with him about I could see this too in different countries. The morale is so different. He was like, it's so nice to go to other countries and explore. He's like, but one thing you do start to miss about the United States is that everyone has this, like, spirit of, like, the American dream. Like, everyone has this energy of, like, they could wake up tomorrow, and, like, their life could be completely changed, and they could have, like, any amount of success they want.
And in other places, they don't necessarily have that anything can happen American dream, like dreamer morale. There are some people in different countries that just kind of accept what is, and don't necessarily, maybe foolishly in America, have that, like, anything can happen. I could be a I could grow up in one one economic status and in 20 years be a millionaire. You know what I mean?
[00:44:26] Cole McCormick:
Mhmm. Yeah. There's definitely more hope here. There's more Yeah. There's just a certain
[00:44:31] Unknown:
amount of of opportunity is here. Yes. It's like an opportunity morale, and it doesn't mean that the people there don't have, like, great spirit and everything. It just means that they're a little more content. They're not as, like, aggressively hungry for the American dream.
[00:44:53] Cole McCormick:
Did that make you want the American dream more? Like, did that inspire you to be more American in that sense of, like, like, my life can be different or I'm happy, like like, because, like, you do have so many options in America to be successful. You have no matter, like there's so many stories. No matter what your story is, there's always a story of someone making it going through hard times in America and, like, continuing to fight and, like, find a way and to believe in themselves. Like, that that story is American. You know, I've never seen a rags to riches story. Like, like, there every country has a rags to riches story, but, like, that is it seems so tied to America right now. Yeah. And that that that I think is very unique, and it's interesting how your brother sees a lack of that idea.
[00:45:47] Unknown:
Yeah. And, like, he was gone for, like, a year tour in different places, like, a few different times, did a few tours. And that is one thing he said is, like, you do kind of miss this, like, camaraderie spirit of, like, America. I'm gonna start a business. You know? I can do anything I want. Yeah. Yeah. Like, this, like, literally, you can do anything you want. It's a very western mentality, I feel like.
[00:46:08] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. And that's healthy, you think?
[00:46:10] Unknown:
To a certain extent. I think there's some maybe some the other cultures might be a little more realistic, but I would prefer personally to live in a place where everyone is trying to be their best selves and reach their goals than to be in a place where I don't have that that feeling or the feeling of, like, I I wouldn't wanna live in a place where I felt content, but not only con content, but, like, not mow like, I don't know if not motivated. But you know what I mean? Like, I don't wanna live in a place where people are so content that they're not willing to challenge
[00:46:55] Cole McCormick:
things. Yeah. There is this, like, rebellious spirit in America that can really rub off on you no matter what job you do or something like you're always gonna be a little rebel or you're always gonna try to like, this company could be better. Yeah. Yeah. There's always like, someone's always saying that. Someone's always, like, critiquing because of, like I don't know. Like, the the because they think the world can be better. Yeah. The situation can be better. Everyone's saying that out here.
[00:47:22] Unknown:
And then my last con is I know I said about how amazing the transit is, but I did miss having the control of driving. You like driving now? So I like driving. I want to have the option of reliable and speedy transit, but I do also want to have my own car. Like, I don't like solely relying on the transit system. I think I would get sick of that after a bit. I think I would want to also have the option to drive, which, obviously, you can. They they drive pretty wild there, though. Mhmm. Might be a little scared to drive, but I wouldn't want to just depend on the transit system. Right. I do like having the freedom to drive and just go anywhere. You know?
Right. Even just driving around and just, like, figuring out where you wanna go is fun.
[00:48:19] Shannon Passey:
Cars are fun. Like, people criticize cars. Excuse me again.
[00:48:24] Cole McCormick:
You know, having a car is fun. Yeah. It's fun to have a car. It's fun to go on a road trip. It's fun to, like, be able to just, like, have, like, a little like, people treat their cars like a little mini home. You know? That's it's interesting, and it's cute, and it's cozy, and, like, you can make it what you want it to be. And so the car culture is very like, it's changed. There used to be a car culture of, like, like, it was just like it it was a culture of innovation, and then it was a culture of leisure, culture of getting away and driving anywhere you can, and and then it just become a utility.
Yeah. And now it's sort of like an expression.
[00:49:04] Unknown:
Yeah. And based where you live, a necessity.
[00:49:07] Cole McCormick:
The way you drive is, like, really based off of where you live.
[00:49:10] Unknown:
Yeah. We weren't gonna miss it. Like, I do like the freedom you have with your car of leaving when you want and arriving someplace when you want and having the luxury to stay as long as you want someplace before leaving versus me having to make sure we got back to the the train station
[00:49:37] Cole McCormick:
a certain amount of time before it left. Yeah. You wanna be on your clock, not Yeah. Not someone else's. That's really interesting, Shanann. Yeah. Did you have anything else? Any other value? Like, what else did you wanna share? We got a bunch we have a boostagram to read and talk about. You know, you wanted to come on here and share your experience and oh, my headphones just died, or my headphones are about to die. I thought my thing I thought my system just crashed, but now it's just my headphones. You wanted to come on here and express the differences and the pros and cons.
Is America the best place on earth? Or are these other countries better?
[00:50:25] Unknown:
I think every I don't think I could say one is, like, absolute better than the other. I think that there are pros and cons to each place. I think that some places shine in different ways, and America shines in its own way.
[00:50:40] Cole McCormick:
She's running for to be a global politician, everybody. That's Oh. Old Shannon Passy. I just want every place in hot pot. She wants world peace and for everyone to have she wants world peace and for everyone to have the same opinion, possibly,
[00:50:54] Unknown:
if everyone agrees on it. I want everyone to be happy. Thank you for that value, Shannon. But no. I I love Italy. I highly recommend traveling if you ever get the opportunity to, just experiencing different cultures and, no, I loved it. There's definitely pros and cons to each place, and some people may prefer other places over America, and some people may be like, I can't wait to get back to America. But I think everywhere everywhere is just incredible.
[00:51:25] Cole McCormick:
That's really cool. Yeah. So Europe is valuable. Rome is valuable. Yeah. America is
[00:51:31] Unknown:
valuable. Yes. Cultures are valuable. Culture is yes. Travel and culture are very valuable. People are valuable.
[00:51:38] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. Valuable.
[00:51:40] Unknown:
Life is valuable. You just feel more connected to the people. Yeah. Just people in general. Yeah. I want that too. Because it's not just, like, this, like, far off place you've never been to anymore. You're like, oh, I've been there. I know somewhat of those people. I know
[00:51:57] Cole McCormick:
the beeline.
[00:51:58] Unknown:
Yeah. But, like, when, like, cultural things happen, it's like it hits a little more close to home because you're like, oh, but I've been there. I have experience there. I I know those people there. You sweat there. You've pissed there. Cried there. You ate cheese there. I threw up there from a migraine. Did you really? I did. I had a migraine, and I threw up, I think, the first morning.
[00:52:20] Cole McCormick:
Wow.
[00:52:22] Unknown:
I'm one with people.
[00:52:24] Cole McCormick:
One with the people. We're gonna head on into the value for value section folks. Shannon, if you didn't know, America Plus is a value for value show. What that means is I bring up the content that I think is interesting for a more beautiful world that my heart knows is possible. Try to talk about positive things. Try to try to identify unhealthy things and bring forward the healthy stuff. So, we just keep doing that. Last week's, last week, people are commenting on last week. I was talking about the assassination attempt for Donald j Trump that failed.
I went on a little haywire, and people send in some value, their treasure. This is the treasure portion of value for value. You can send it in through multiple ways, through time, talent, or treasure. Just by you listening, that's your talent. Like, that thank you for listening. The listens have been, like, dropping a little bit because of summer. Oh, yeah. And possibly because I'm uninteresting. No. But the the views have been dropping. So I just like thank you to anyone sending in a boostagram, on fountain, by the way. Info value for value dot info and fountain. Go to value for value dot info for more info, then download the fountain dot f m app. It's the best way to support the show. Value for value dot info is a website where it describes the entire model, what we're trying to build here at America Plus. Every podcast that uses value for value is able to do it in, like, their own way with their own community. And so I'm trying to just build a relationship with you. If you have anything to share about your world travels, about your opinions on Europe, socialized medicine, presidents, anything not controversial like that.
You can chime in, on the fountain app, or you can send in some PayPal money if you wanna use PayPal. And, you can support me monetarily while sending a message. And I'm reading a boostagram from fountain. Like, I got one of them, from last week. This one is coming from at saintandsats. What did he have to say about me talking about Donald Trump? He sends in 500 satoshis. Oh, that's the other thing about value for value. You you're sending me small bits of Bitcoin called SATS, Satoshis. It's like a whole it's like a whole different money system, which is it's being discussed right now in the podcasting 2 point o space. Okay. We might be moving away from Bitcoin, or we might be changing the primary base of how we exchange value monetarily.
It's very interesting. But we're keeping Bitcoin, but, like, Bitcoin's changing. Our pocket like, something's not working. Like, it's very interesting right now. But anyway, Satan'sats, they wanted to send him 500 Satoshis. And, because he's a Bitcoiner. And, he says, love the positivity in this episode. Thank you, Saint and Sats. Boosting is loving. And now as the French say, it is time for Le Boost. I went for a really positive vibe last week when a kind came to talking about Trump almost dying. And I hope people vibe with it. You know? It was just a raw reaction. We're living in crazy times, and I have my own opinions about what's going on, and I try to be positive about these things.
Shannon, do you have any work comments on my positivity from last week?
[00:56:02] Unknown:
No. I feel like you did a good job. I feel like a lot of stuff was, like, very negative online. Just all around, there's just a lot of, like, negativity and fear and everything. So I think that you talked about in a positive way and just what you were seeing and feeling.
[00:56:17] Cole McCormick:
It's just weird wild. You know? Not really have anything to add. So many podcasters are, like, jumping on this boat. Like, it's like the it's so easy to do make content around it. And it's like Yeah. I'm having an an instinct of, like, I don't really wanna say anything about it. Or, like, I just wanna say what I wanted. Like, I I I I wanna say a minimal amount of things on
[00:56:38] Unknown:
it. I like yeah. I personally never wanna talk about politics, like, outwardly with people. Like
[00:56:46] Cole McCormick:
Ever. In private or public?
[00:56:49] Unknown:
I I just don't like to. In private or public? Oh. Both? Yeah. I just
[00:56:55] Cole McCormick:
So you just don't like politics?
[00:56:56] Unknown:
It's just it gets everyone in such a negative head space nowadays. It's difficult. Which is why I was trying to be positive. And so that's I'm I'm glad that you were able to talk about in a positive way. Yeah.
[00:57:09] Cole McCormick:
So Saint Sats, thank you very much. Thank you to him and whoever wanted to donate. Some people have streamed in money. Who else is here, dude? Anyone else here? Nope. Just one just one old thing. Yeah. If you wanna donate to the show, the money goes to me. You know, I I'm paying for a hosting site. I'm, living a life. And it's my goal to, you know, sort of live off of podcasting and making content and, you know, just having a name for myself when it comes to health and bigger ideas for the world, better ideas for the world. I'm trying to I'm I'm just trying to grift on a more beautiful world.
I'm telling you, the world is not ending, and that's why you should give me money. A part of value for value is also, I'm able to play music on the podcast legally, and I can split payment with the musician, which is like the biggest innovation in the whole value for value space. Would you say the same thing, Trent? Yeah. And I wanna play a song right now. I'm on the website wavelake.com. We're just on the top 40 right now, Shan. I'm gonna give you the opportunity to pick a song, and we're just gonna have the song be played out. Whenever you hear a song on America Plus, the artist is getting a 60% split of yours of your satoshi donation.
So, Shannon, if you wanna scroll and just, like, pick a song, tell me which one to play. Play this one. So you're gonna be in charge of giving Oh my god. Yeah. Ainsley Costello. Yeah. What about her? One called People Pleaser. Yeah. You wanna listen to that one? She's talking about being a people pleaser. That's so funny. Yeah. This is a newer one from Ainsley. Oh my god. Yes. So so okay. Okay. Great. So we're gonna play Ainsley Costello, people pleaser. She's getting 60% of your satoshi donation. It's value for value. Ainsley's awesome. I talked to her. Go listen to that interview, the Ainsley Costello interview.
She's currently number 13 on this list. And this number yeah. She's people pleasers number 13 on on Wave Lake. So let's do it. That's perfect. Enjoy.
[00:59:35] Shannon Passey:
Even if I wasn't into it. I'm not proud of it. Never know how
[01:01:45] Cole McCormick:
That's, okay. That's that's America Plus, bitch.
[01:01:54] Shannon Passey:
Stay free.
Let's go international.
[00:00:07] Shannon Passey:
What's up, everyone? It's America Plus. I'm your host, Colm McCormick. It's another week, another episode. What's going on, everybody? It's Sunday, July 21st. What's going on, folks? What's going on? Welcome to America Plus. It's another beautiful week to be alive.
[00:00:20] Cole McCormick:
I'm coming to you live, sort of live, from my, Betty from my Betty Betty bedtime. We're I'm chilling here with Shannon Passi. We're gonna have a conversation here about, the differences between the cultures, and lifestyles of the Italian culture and versus the American culture alongside the Greek and the Turkish. Correction? Yes. So right on. So this is like a world traveling episode. Like, we're getting perspectives of different countries, and we're bringing them back into America. This is an important thing. Do you agree with this thing? Like, is it important? First of all, do like, do you think it's important to travel as an American?
[00:01:03] Unknown:
Yes. I feel like people in other countries have somewhat of an advantage because they're not as big as the US, so they're able to be a little bit more traveled. Like, if you live in England or you you live in Europe somewhere, if you drive 2 to 4 hours, you're in a different country. But Yeah. It's a it's a completely different landscape. Yeah. So valuable. Yes. And so I think it's very important to see how other people live in cultures. But I also don't I also recognize that it's a privilege to do so, especially if you do live in the United States. I think it's important to travel within the United States as well, even if you can't go international. Just traveling in general is healthy for the soul. Yes. Yeah. So you went to Italy, you went to Greece,
[00:01:47] Cole McCormick:
and you went to Turkey. Yes. The biggest one is Italy. The biggest thing is Rome. So let's talk about let's just stay there. Tell me the first steps on Roman soil. What are your emotions? What are your thoughts?
[00:02:03] Unknown:
I was so excited. It's been my mom and my dream to go ever since I was very little. So I was very, very hyped. I was a little nervous about the language barrier. I'd say
[00:02:17] Cole McCormick:
But you got Duolingo?
[00:02:19] Unknown:
Yes. I did do Duolingo. I learned, like, common phrases, but I didn't get very far. I did it for, like, a month ahead of time. I should have probably done it
[00:02:31] Cole McCormick:
a lot. You should've studied more. Yes. Oh, Yes.
[00:02:37] Unknown:
But luckily, I'd say about 99% of the people we interact with spoke English. The only time there was a bit more of a language barrier was anytime we got, like, a ride somewhere. So any of the taxis, Ubers, it was a little bit more more difficult just because the other places you were were more, like, tourist facing. Why are taxi drivers always native
[00:03:00] Cole McCormick:
to the land? Why are they never accommodating to I don't know. But, honestly,
[00:03:04] Unknown:
I prefer that because I trust that they know where they're going. If I went to a different country and had, like, a full fledged English speaker, like, no accent, clearly not a native, I'd be like You wouldn't enjoy it? I'd be a little like, Yeah. I'm not getting the full authentic experience. Yeah. You sure do want the weird Italian guy driving you around? Yeah. Like, I want him to be speeding past the mopeds and everything. Taking you the long way? Yeah. Like, I want the scenic way. I want him using the gestures and Yeah. And did you get that? I did. Wow.
[00:03:40] Cole McCormick:
So that was satisfying. You got to see old men wave their hands in the air. Yes. What about, like, the culture, like, the people? Like, what was different about the people? Are they different people?
[00:03:54] Unknown:
They are so much more relaxed. Like, the quality of life, you can see a difference. I one of our taxi drivers said to us they said in America, you work what was it? It was you live to work, and in other places outside of America, you work to live. So they are all about
[00:04:24] Cole McCormick:
just, like, relaxing throughout their day. Just doing what they can for work Yeah. Like so they can have enough money to do what they want. Yeah. Like, they have
[00:04:33] Unknown:
more time off. Like, half the time you see everyone's outside for lunch. They're taking a long lunch. Shops are closed down at certain points because sometimes people are, like, taking their naps and stuff like that. Like, it's just such a more relaxed state of being than it is here where everything is so fast paced. And even So was that a shock to you? I expected it, but it was a little jarring to go out on a weekday at, like, 11 AM on a weekday and see so many people just, like, on the streets relaxing, buying stuff, eating, and, like, the food service is different. It's they don't bring a check to you until you ask for
[00:05:18] Cole McCormick:
it. Like Well, isn't that is that not
[00:05:21] Unknown:
a lot of reference? No. In America, they're constantly stopping by your table. They're taking things out of the way, and they, like, immediately bring you, like, your bill. But there, you could literally see that. Or the yeah. The bill yeah. The bill in the states is, like, sort of omnipresent. It's, like Yeah. You're watching your bill add up while you order at some places. Yeah. And they come by and they're, like, how was everything? And they take all the plates, and then they give you the bill. It doesn't mean you necessarily have to leave then. But in Italy, you could stay there for hours, and they won't give you a bill Right. Until you, like, waive them down.
[00:05:55] Cole McCormick:
That's so interesting. So does that mean that they're less worried about money or they're more comfortable with money?
[00:06:01] Unknown:
I think that they live from my perspective, they live in a society where basic needs are met.
[00:06:13] Cole McCormick:
And
[00:06:14] Unknown:
What are those basic needs, though? Like I would I mean, I A job? Yeah. Like, they have a job. I'm they have I there's not a tipping culture, so they're all getting paid at least minimum wage.
[00:06:25] Cole McCormick:
Mhmm.
[00:06:26] Unknown:
Their health care is completely different. I'm assuming it's somewhat socialized. There's no homeless people on the streets. Mhmm. It's you have nicer areas, obviously, and quote, unquote poorer areas. Mhmm. But you never see what you would see in LA. Yeah. And so I am assuming. Right. Like so, like, the homelessness wasn't crazy like it is in LA? No. I didn't see a single homeless person. And I'm not saying there's not homelessness. I'm just saying that they obviously don't allow them to be on the streets. Mhmm.
[00:07:03] Cole McCormick:
I That's because, like, I mean, you went to the all the biggest places. Like, you saw the Vatican. You saw
[00:07:08] Unknown:
like, what are the places you saw? Like, you went to all the biggest Yeah. I saw things. You saw David? Yeah. I saw so in we went to Florence and Venice, and then we stayed in Rome. We just did day trips to Florence and Venice. We saw David. We saw the Venice canals, Rialto Bridge. And then in Rome, we did the Colosseum and the Vatican. And there's definitely, like, sketchier areas, where they're trying to, like, get you into stores or, like, you know, trying to sell stuff. But there really isn't it's not very dirty. It's not
[00:07:46] Cole McCormick:
So Rome is clean?
[00:07:48] Unknown:
Yeah. Like, you just don't see Clean. You just don't see what you see in LA.
[00:07:54] Cole McCormick:
Dirt,
[00:07:55] Unknown:
cockroaches. Comes yeah. Like, the the homeless people.
[00:07:59] Cole McCormick:
Weird mental ill men.
[00:08:02] Unknown:
Yeah. Yeah. And it's sad. It's what I'm trying to say is that it seems like there is a different baseline in Italy than there is in America.
[00:08:13] Cole McCormick:
The baseline California.
[00:08:15] Unknown:
Yes. The baseline there seems like it's a higher baseline.
[00:08:21] Cole McCormick:
Mhmm.
[00:08:22] Unknown:
So people are doing better generally, you think? Yeah. And I know it's expensive, especially in Rome. Mhmm. But it's crazy seeing the price differences because my mom and I in Florence, we went to this restaurant. She got an alcoholic drink. I got, like, a soda. We split a gluten free appetizer.
[00:08:47] Cole McCormick:
Mhmm.
[00:08:48] Unknown:
I got a gluten free pizza. She got some pasta meal. We then split a gluten free dessert, and the total tip included, we you don't tip. It's included Mhmm. In the check, $60.
[00:09:06] Cole McCormick:
Wow. And that sounds like a meant that sounds like a meal meant to be, like,
[00:09:11] Unknown:
120 out here. Yes. And I was like, I never get appetizers. I rarely get dessert. I usually just get a drink and the main course here. Mhmm. And But out there, you're getting everything because you can, and it's also really good. And it yes. And it was only $60, tip included. Wow. I was like, that is insane. And, obviously, there's gonna be places that are gonna have you know, it all varies. I'm sure there are places where that would be, like, over a $100 somewhere. But and just the quality of food is amazing, and they're, like, the number one country for gluten free food. Mhmm. And you had a bunch. I had a bunch of gluten free. Free exclusive. Yes. You're it's not just that you're gluten free.
[00:09:55] Cole McCormick:
You're only gonna eat a gluten free item. Right? Or, like, it has to be labeled gluten free. Yeah. Or if it Gluten free meat. Gluten free water.
[00:10:08] Unknown:
No. If it doesn't say meat on it, I'll eat it. But they had so many gluten free things. Like, there is an entire bakery dedicated to gluten free stuff, and it was stuff you don't usually find here. It's like croissants and a bunch of different pastries and tarts and things that I would assume are harder to make. Wait. You're talking about, like, in bakeries?
[00:10:30] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. Yeah. I've never heard of a bakery having a gluten free croissant. I have never seen a gluten free croissant in America.
[00:10:37] Unknown:
Croissant. Croissant. Croissant. I've never seen that, and I was flabbergasted. And then Was it good? Oh my god. It was amazing. I did not have a single bad meal. I think my least favorite What's a peak croissant?
[00:10:53] Cole McCormick:
Croissant.
[00:10:55] Unknown:
It's buttery and flaky. Are you putting butter on it, or it needs to be buttery when you buy it? It's buttery when you buy it. I tried 2 different ones. 1 had white chocolate filling,
[00:11:05] Cole McCormick:
and the other So you had a doughnut? Essentially, yes. That's that's called a doughnut with the with the white chocolate filling.
[00:11:15] Unknown:
And then I had one that had this, like, not cream cheese, but just like this, like, soft cheese inside.
[00:11:23] Cole McCormick:
A soft cheese. Yeah. Like a cheddar?
[00:11:26] Unknown:
No. Just like a white it looks like something that would be on, like, a white pizza at Burrows.
[00:11:32] Cole McCormick:
Ricotta?
[00:11:33] Unknown:
It might have been. It might it's something like that. But, oh my god. And I swear, the least, quote, unquote, least favorite meal that I had was literally spaghetti, and it was still so good. Mhmm. But the pizza's that way. It got to the point where my mom on our last day got a gluten free plain cheese pizza like I did because she everyone had been sampling my gluten free food throughout and had determined that my gluten free food was tasting better than theirs. So it's mom approved. Yeah. The gluten free It's mom approved. Dough is mom approved. Yeah. And it's so interesting because you can tell it doesn't have the same amount of, like, fillers.
[00:12:18] Cole McCormick:
Than America?
[00:12:20] Unknown:
Yeah. So And you can taste that out here. Like, you know that when you eat it here? Yes. Like, the fruit is ginormous here. Like, it's clearly given things to make it so big. Mhmm. My mom talked about that when she first moved to America. She was, like, terrified at the produce because it was so big. And your mom's from England? Yeah. And she was like, I don't like, she had just never seen fruit so big.
[00:12:48] Cole McCormick:
So now you're reacting to the fruit in Rome, which is? Just like normal Tiny? Not tiny, but tiny. Strawberries?
[00:12:56] Unknown:
No. But they're just juicier, and they're more colorful. But they just happen to be a little smaller. I don't know. I feel like
[00:13:05] Cole McCormick:
here, they care more about the size of stuff or the way it looks than maybe the taste. Yeah. Here, like, every day at the grocery store needs to be like, oh my god. I saw this crazy thing. Like, I feel like they really try to make it like All based on the visual. High expectations of like, oh, you need to see the the ripest, the biggest, the fullest. And it doesn't mean that it's the tastiest or the best, like, most nutritious.
[00:13:28] Unknown:
And there well, starting off, it's difficult for me to get full because my gluten allergy and sometimes I'm not getting the right nutrients, so it's hard for me to feel very full. Well, you just don't eat you just don't eat a lot in general. Saying is, like, the fullest I will feel here is if I have, like, a Chipotle bowl, and that's all carbs. That's, like, when I really feel full. Mhmm. Otherwise, I'm hungry within an hour or 2. Over there, I was having a good amount of portions, but I I wasn't feeling the grossness of, like, feeling full.
[00:14:11] Cole McCormick:
Mhmm. Were were you having, like, as many carbs out there as you were here? I've I
[00:14:17] Unknown:
mostly had gluten free pizza, gluten free pasta, gelato, and pastries.
[00:14:25] Cole McCormick:
Like, it was heavy car. So it was big vacation food?
[00:14:29] Unknown:
Yes. And you felt better on it? Yes. And I didn't it's it's weird because I felt full in a sense that I wasn't hungry Mhmm. But not full in a sense that I felt sick. Like, it felt like I had put good food in my body, and I was full from that. Not that I had, like, gorged myself on something not yummy or, like, not nutritious.
[00:14:56] Cole McCormick:
Mhmm. But you definitely, it tasted generally healthier. Like, you could tell it was lighter. It was a Yes. Lighter substance. And Yes. And you fell but you did have more meat than usual out there. Yes. You're eating a lot of meat. That was more on the cruise. Okay. Yeah. So that's so that's like a little part of, like, the story of, like, that's I it it it it's a little interesting because you went to Rome, but then you get to Rome and then you go on a cruise, and you're island hopping between other countries Yeah. Within your wait. Is is Greek is Greece in in in Europe? I don't think it is. It's like to the side of it. But is Greece a part of Europe?
And Turkey? Is Turkey a part of Europe? Yeah. Is it?
[00:15:41] Unknown:
I'm not gonna try to say. It's, like, near Italy. It's, like, to the side of it. Okay. But is it
[00:15:47] Cole McCormick:
in Europe? I think so. Country Russia's not in Europe. It's right next to Switzerland. That's true.
[00:15:54] Unknown:
I'm, like, 99% sure it's still in the Europe category.
[00:15:59] Cole McCormick:
Heard? Okay. So you're traveling around Europe. You're traveling around Europe, but you're on this cruise in between Greece and Turkey. And so you you're, like, going back into the American matrix Yes. Of what the food situation is. So you you you enjoyed the food in Rome. You enjoyed the culture in Rome, but then you're on the cruise ship. You're what is that about? Then we get on the cruise,
[00:16:27] Unknown:
and the cruise is amazing. Food was great. My only issue But it was classic American options. Right? Classic. Yeah. It was like, you could tell they got a lot of products, like, from America. And my only issue is when you're on the cruise, there are, like, included meals with your cruise. Mhmm. And those happen to be breakfast, the buffet. This is, like, a buffet most of the time. Right? Yeah. So you can go and do a sit down breakfast and sit down dinner. Those are included. Or you can do the buffet at your own time. That's open throughout the whole day. My issue with the cruise ship was that the included dinners were 3 courses.
[00:17:18] Cole McCormick:
So you're eating so and you feel like you have to eat all of it because you paid for all of it? Yes. And they're not So you're eating all of it. Portions.
[00:17:27] Unknown:
But I'm not the type of person that needs 3 meals a day.
[00:17:31] Cole McCormick:
You're eating it because you paid for it. And so yes. And
[00:17:35] Unknown:
for me, personally, I don't think I would have felt as bad, but they were so generous with they would they found out I was gluten free. The may like, the head chef came and the manager, and we're like, we are going to give you the menu the night before, the next like, tomorrow's menu the night before. You star or circle what you want for each course, your appetizer, your main, and your dessert, and we will make it gluten free. We will accommodate it.
[00:18:09] Cole McCormick:
Wow. And it was so baby.
[00:18:12] Unknown:
It was so nice and so lovely. Nobody puts baby in the corner. But I then felt so bad if we, you know, one of the days in Turkey, we, I had some breakfast at the buffet, and then we went into Turkey. And the people I was with, they wanted lunch. I didn't have lunch because I wasn't that hungry, or, like, I might have had just a little bit. But by the time we got back on the boat, I would actually, it was a different day. It was a different day that I actually did eat. Basically, I had lunch, and then I wasn't hungry for dinner, but then you've I felt as a people pleaser, I was like, oh, but they have studied the menu, and they have accommodated it. Like, you know, like, I I have to be there. They've made a lot of money.
[00:18:57] Cole McCormick:
And then they were, like, really hospitable with you. They were so nice. And so it's like, wow. Now now it's like it's like death by grandma?
[00:19:05] Unknown:
Yes. Death by grandma's cookies. Like they've already made mine. Like, they've already accommodated it. It's ready. Like, what a waste if I don't show up.
[00:19:14] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. That's yeah. So and you have anxiety. And I have anxiety. So
[00:19:19] Unknown:
Yes. That's And I don't like making people upset. I'm a big people pleaser. And I was like, oh, I like they've gone through they've gone ex like, through extra steps to make sure I feel comfortable eating there.
[00:19:33] Cole McCormick:
And but you didn't? I did. I just wasn't necessarily hungry each time. Okay. So it was just a lot of food. So I guess, like, the differences of the food, like, Rome and Italy, they're giving you, like, an like, enough food at a good price. Smaller portions. Smaller portions. And then you're on this boat, which is, like, overfilling everything, all of your needs Yes. In every avenue. You can get food at literally any time. It's pretty much Las Vegas
[00:20:03] Unknown:
on on on water. Yes. You can get room service at any Woah. Excuse me. You can get room service. Be careful. I hiccuped. You can get room service at any time. You can like, there are places on the ship that are open till, like, 2 AM. Like, they're very much, like, no matter what, there's food available no matter what. Which is crazy. And then and then
[00:20:26] Cole McCormick:
I don't I I can't deal with that because that's like way too much temptation. But and then but then they took you to Greece. Right? And, like, different islands in Greece? Yes. What was I I I'm guessing it's, like, similar food throughout all the islands in Greece?
[00:20:39] Unknown:
Yeah. Yeah. It's What was that like? Similar food. A little bit more meat than Italy.
[00:20:45] Cole McCormick:
Like, you were eating more meat in Greece?
[00:20:49] Unknown:
Yeah. Like, I had more like, I had salmon. Like, there was more like fish because you're right by the water. In Turkey and in Greece, my brother had, like, kebabs. Like, there was, like, more of, like, the lamb, and, like, that kind of meat was, like, more heavily shown on the menus. But just the same as Italy again. It was, like, just good ingredients, smaller portions. And
[00:21:17] Cole McCormick:
Did the people like, did they look the same health wise? Like, do you think they look different because of what they eat? I definitely think they look different. I mean, you can find
[00:21:27] Unknown:
people all sizes anywhere, but the majority of the people in Italy and Greece are attractive and pretty slim, also because they walk everywhere. You know, not as many people have cars. So it's it's a mixture of their They have moped. Yeah. Yeah. But, no, it's just more a mixture of their lifestyle and the way they're eating and the fact that they do move a lot more in in day to day.
[00:21:57] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. So we don't really move a lot here in America.
[00:22:01] Unknown:
No. And I'm is necessary. Fast as well. And one thing that was so nice about Italy is that they stay late into the night. Like, you can get dinner at, like, 10 or 11 PM. Mhmm. And, like, people are outside just having family dinner. Yeah. Because they're usually going to bed later. Right? Yeah. And so it was very nice, and I kind of vibe more with that because on the cruise ship, dinner was at 6, and that was very early for me. Because a lot of times, I won't I'll have breakfast, and then sometimes I'll skip lunch. But when we were going out, I wanted to eat lunch, but we'd usually eat lunch around, like, 3. And then all of a sudden, 3 hours later, I'm having a 3 course meal. You know what I mean? Like, it was just the timing of it a lot was just a lot of food. You're stacking a lot of things. Yeah. It was just a lot of food. But luckily, in Italy, we were walking around so much. In Greece, we were doing day tours.
In Turkey, we're walking around so much. Like, they really you really don't have an option other than to walk off your food.
[00:23:06] Cole McCormick:
So what was, like so now you've seen Rome and Greece. Mhmm. What are your thoughts about the differences in America? Like, of of course, you're seeing ruins and, like, that's not really common in America. But, like, what are, like what's popping out as, like, a contrast between that place in America?
[00:23:28] Unknown:
I would say, yeah. Obviously, you've got much more historical culture and everything that you're seeing. I think one thing that really pops out is you see old people out way more than you do, at least in California. Like, you're seeing a very older demographic out and about within society in the way that you don't necessarily see here. Like, they're just doing normal stuff? They're doing normal stuff. They're older, but, like, they're very strong and capable, and they're just doing what you're doing. They're going to the shops. They're eating dinner. They're they're out and about. They're walking around. They're just their presence is a lot more noticeable than in, I'd say, in LA.
[00:24:16] Cole McCormick:
Because it's a lot more, like, sedentary. Like, someone's probably gonna stay home a lot more. Someone's probably Yeah. And Like, what what shop are what shops are you gonna go to out here? Unless you're, like, Yeah. Super duper uber rich, and you're going to, like Yes. Some, like like, all the nice places. And The most I see old people here is when I visit my mom at Ralph's.
[00:24:36] Unknown:
I don't know which day of the week, but there is a day of the week where they bought they have, like, the Burbank bus that takes 65 and over, and they take them to Ralphs and then pick them up later. So, like, they drop them off so they can shop. And then, like, an hour later, they pick them up. We got our old people on weekly schedules. Yeah. And we're driving that. Schedules. And so it's just very interesting contrast between someone here who's probably in their seventies versus someone in Italy or Greece in their seventies. Mhmm. So Completely different lifestyles.
[00:25:07] Cole McCormick:
Do you think they're exercising?
[00:25:09] Unknown:
Yeah. I think that just their day to day, they have to. Most people don't have cars. The transit system's amazing there. But you have to you still have to walk places to get there. They're doing their own shopping. I think it's just they're walking everywhere, and they have a healthier diet.
[00:25:28] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. Because out here you have to drive everywhere and, like Yeah. Like, it is just something It's it's one thing to think about, like, what if there was the option to, like, take, like, a train ride, take a subway to to the beach. Like, so we went to the beach today. And, you know, it doesn't take it takes it took, like, over an hour to get there. We don't even live that far. We live, like, freaking 20 miles away. We live, like, 28 miles. 28 miles from the beach. And it took like, how long did it take? It took over an hour to to get there. Yeah. Because of traffic. Yeah. Over an hour to drive 28 miles. Yeah. And then, like, it's like, can there just be a better way that we can just get there? And maybe I I don't care if I have to walk. You know? And that'll be like like, I've never really experienced public transportation. Like, I I I I've been to New York. I've been to the subway, but I don't really know what the real benefits of public transportation can be. And so to hear about, like, the European experience, like, you're mainly talking about Rome with public transportation, or is Greece Yeah. Like, pretty good as well? What about Turkey?
[00:26:38] Unknown:
Turkey, we were just, like we were the cruise pulled right up to the dock, so we didn't really have to worry. We just hung out, like, near the port. Oh, okay. But in Greece, they have, like, they have donkeys and stuff, but most people are walking. But what they have there mostly is, like, the water taxis. And so that's, like, really interesting. They have, like, water taxis to take you different islands and everything. I'm on a boat. But in Italy, I was blown away by their train system because my mom and I were able never having done a train in a foreign country, I was able to book us a train ride from Rome, figure out exactly which which, like, train station, go to Venice and back, and then the next day do Florence and back.
And it was incredible. And it was efficient? It was it's a high speed rail. It was super efficient. It's air conditioned. You have assigned seats. You have, like, a little phone charge report. You have a little, like, leg rest. How long how long were their trips? So to Florence, it was, like, an hour or so from Rome, and then from Rome to Venice, it was, like, 3, 3 and a half hours. But but you're on the train the whole time? Yeah. Yeah. You're on the train the whole time. There, you can, if you want it cheaper, you can get off at different stops, have, like, a couple different stops to make it cheaper, and just means your your ride takes a little longer.
But me being able to, the day before, figure out, okay. What's the nearest train station? Okay. See the schedule. They're going every, like, 30 minutes or so. Get us on the train and then calculate how to get back. Like, I was able to do it just on the on the fly.
[00:28:33] Cole McCormick:
That's really interesting. And and It's so efficient. And it's, like, clear to understand, like, clearly for an American. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And everyone's because everything's in Italian.
[00:28:42] Unknown:
Yes. You can still, like, figure it out though. I learned, like, the the Italian words for, like, Florence and Venice, just because that would be on the board. Is it Florence? It's Firenze. Firenze. And then no. I can't remember what Venice was.
[00:29:03] Cole McCormick:
Oh. You failed the pop quiz. I know.
[00:29:07] Unknown:
But you also have to learn military time. That's what I struggled with, was trying to calculate what time. Oh, they're on military? Yeah. Everything's on military time for the train. So I was trying to figure out, like, okay, if you wanna be back at this time, okay. And I'd have to, like, figure out the military time for it. Interesting. But me not having really any experience other than riding the bus when I was a kid to, like, swimming lessons. Like, we'd use the public train the public bus in San Diego when I was a kid, but that was just, like, one bus there and back. Mhmm.
Being able to go and just figure out the trains was incredible. And to get to these places in such a fast amount of time with nice like, it was it was a nice train. Like, we were in the cheapest part of the train, and it was so nice. Yeah. Yeah.
[00:29:57] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. I think we need more of those things, like, just for, like, utility. Like, it just seems, like, useful to just have that available to go to a because I would love to go to a famous place in, like, a few hours. Like Yeah. High speed. Like, how fast can you get me to, like, the middle of the country? Or Yes. What's a famous spot in the middle of the country? Mount Rushmore. From LA to Mount Rushmore. Like, what if I just wanted to go there to South Dakota, wherever it is?
[00:30:24] Unknown:
Even just to San Francisco in under 6 hours. San Francisco. Would take.
[00:30:28] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. Yeah. Literally. Yeah. You know? Yeah. Anything. That is the prime example out here. Like, just I I wanna get to San Fran really fast Yeah. And be able to just, like, do that. Why can't my life just be nice like that? Yeah. But no, it was really cool. I paid taxes.
[00:30:43] Unknown:
Literally. Literally. And everything was pretty clean, and people were nice.
[00:30:49] Cole McCormick:
You didn't really meet you didn't really get to see, like, the Turkish culture too much? Like, that was more pure?
[00:30:55] Unknown:
Yeah. So we stayed closer to the port. That was the only day we didn't have, like, an an cruise excursion. We had done tours and excursions on all the other days, but none of the turkey ones when we were looking at them really jumped out at us. And so we're like, oh, why don't we just explore on our own? So it was very cool because you could go through the bazaars, which is, like, where all the shops are and everything. They are a little aggressive because they they want you to come in the in their shop, and so they'll kinda you know, they'll try to entice you in. They might, like, follow you a little bit. Did they get you? I yeah. We we went into the store so that's You felt guilty for them?
No. Well, it was, like, that we knew that we'd probably go there to shop. It was, like, we knew the bazaars would be there. So we're like, okay. Let's just walk around on our own and, like, get lunch and just shop and, like, just, like, really just, like, experience stuff on our own. Like, really immerse ourselves not in a tour.
[00:31:52] Cole McCormick:
But where the tour ends? Yeah. Yeah. At the port.
[00:31:57] Unknown:
But, no, it was super, super cool and just seeing everyone's, like, culture. And they were never, like, disrespectful. They were obviously Just demanding of your money. They were just not they were a little pushy about getting you into the store, but they were very, like, respectful of you being like, oh, I'm just looking or being like, oh, no. Thank you. Like, they they took no as a no, and we're just, like you know? Yeah. Very nice about it.
[00:32:24] Shannon Passey:
So did you like being on the cruise because it was so American?
[00:32:28] Unknown:
Excuse me. I enjoyed the cruise just because it was, like, a little city on the water. Like, they had trivia night. They had karaoke. They had, like, different, like, dance parties after certain hours. Like, different, like they have, like, a seventies disco one night. I didn't go to it because it was, like, past 10. Yeah. That sounds like Las Vegas on
[00:32:50] Cole McCormick:
on water. It's very fun. So it's like it's such interesting how, like, do you want more of the European experience or the American experience? And you're really on a vacation where you have both. You're like you're totally, fulfilled with shows and food and drinks and Yeah. And all these things. And then it's like but you're there for, like, the culture and the art. Yeah. And so it's like,
[00:33:17] Unknown:
which one did you like more? I liked the pace and feel of Italy, Greece, and Turkey more than being on the boat. But what was so nice about the boat is there were 2 days, 1 on the way there and 1 on the way back where it was a full cruise day. You didn't get off the boat. It was just sailing.
[00:33:35] Cole McCormick:
I can't do that. I will never do that. I'll never take a cruise. Was when
[00:33:40] Unknown:
it was so helpful that there were so many things to do, and you can just pick and choose what you wanna do. So, like, I I would mostly tan near the pools on the top deck. I would eat lunch when I wanted to. They had, like, free ice cream near the pool. They had free, like, tacos and Mexican food. You could, like, make your own. So everything. Yeah. And then so I would, like I'd spend my day tanning and reading on the top deck. And then later in the day, they had, like, a spa there, and they had, like, fitness classes you could take, and, like, you could have, like, a session with a personal trainer, and you could do, like, arts and crafts. There was a a personal trainer, and you could do, like, arts and crafts. There was a board game room. Like, they basically had everything stacked, so that whatever you wanted to do for that whole day sailing, you could just do whatever you wanted at your own pace. And so what I would do is I'd tan, relax, maybe nap later, eat whenever I wanted to. And then in the evening, that's when I would go and do the things such as, like, the trivia night you really liked. We'd go and watch,
[00:34:41] Cole McCormick:
karaoke at night. We would do So what but in terms of, like, Europe and America, what were, like, the biggest pros and cons that you can really see between them?
[00:34:55] Unknown:
I've got a little list here. Okay. K. The pros for Italy slash Greece and Turkey, but I spent most of my time in Italy. The pros are the food, the transit system, the prices, the, like, the the society as a whole, like, when it comes to, like, the homeless and the trash and everything, like, all of that, the whole work to live instead of live to work mentality and just the pace in general was just much more relaxed and just, like, you could just tell they had a good quality of life despite how relaxed they were. Mhmm. Whereas if you saw how relaxed like, if you had someone go through their day, like, an Italian here, you'd be like, oh, that's probably a bum. You know what I mean? Like, that probably that person probably doesn't have a lot of, like, stuff going on. Interesting. Yeah. That's what we would judge them as. Yeah. Yeah. I'd be like, that person's probably a little lazy, or, like, they might not have a lot of, like, ambition.
[00:35:57] Cole McCormick:
They're just European.
[00:35:59] Unknown:
Yeah. Yeah. You'd be like, what are you doing with your day? The cons, Air conditioning. I was fortunate enough to be in hotels that had had air conditioning. I think for the majority of places now, they have air conditioning. However, there are places that don't, And it got very hot. My mom and I were of
[00:36:24] Cole McCormick:
no air conditioning.
[00:36:26] Unknown:
Our first day was one of, like, the hottest days. It was, like, a new record heat record for Rome. And 88 degrees. It was, like, 90 something, but the humidity was, like, 70%. Like, it was so humid. Wow. And so it was very hot when we were walking around and Sounds sticky. We had to oh, like, only certain shops had AC, and so we'd have to be like, oh, let's go in here. And eventually, when I was trying to get a taxi We have to go into the Gucci store. It's the only place with AC. At one point, the only place where they see was this hotel near us. And we went and sat in their lobby to call a taxi because it was taking so long to get a taxi because we were right by the Trevi Fountain. And so it was super, like, populated and everything, but, like, it was just so hot. Why didn't you just jump in the fountain?
It's illegal.
[00:37:15] Cole McCormick:
Why is it illegal? You can't get in the fountain. It's like off on a hot day? No. It's like a historical it's like a historical It's a public area. It's a protected landmark.
[00:37:23] Unknown:
Area. In theory, yes. Protected for your rights. Yeah. But it's protected from people getting in it. For your bodily There was a thing on Twitter. Literally, 2 or 3 days after we had visited the Trembic fountain, there was video of a dude jumping in and police running after him, and he got, like, someone, like, bodied him. Someone, like, tackled him. He got slammed. Yeah. And I was like, that's so crazy because I didn't think people did that. Could've been you. I could've honestly, if it had been, like if I gotten really dizzy, I probably would've been, like, I'm getting in this house. You didn't well, you didn't, like, drink a little bit of it? No.
[00:38:01] Cole McCormick:
Why not? Like, you didn't did you do anything? Did you do the penny? No. I didn't even do the penny. I know You didn't make a wish with the fountain? Have any
[00:38:09] Unknown:
coins with me. Oh my god. I just
[00:38:12] Cole McCormick:
had my So it's a cashless society, which is No other people can. Like, other people did, but I just had my card in me. It was my 1st day there. I can't believe you didn't make a wish. You didn't tell me that. I know. The whole reason you went is so that you could be like Lizzie McGuire.
[00:38:25] Unknown:
I know. And then you didn't make a wish. I know. I, like, made one in my mind, but I didn't throw a coin in. That's not a wish. Yeah. But, like, god heard it. So, like That's a prayer, and that's not what you went there for. You didn't go there to pray. It's not Israel. I don't know. But I did. I did at the Vatican get holy water.
[00:38:45] Cole McCormick:
What do you mean you got it? They have They gave it to you? They have holy water coming out of this, like, fountain You said you were in.
[00:38:52] Unknown:
Okay. And you can touch the holy water. It just, like, drips down. But it went from what? And there's, like, this, like, fountain of holy water.
[00:39:02] Cole McCormick:
Like a man made that's, like, it's, like, a little water feature at the Vatican?
[00:39:06] Unknown:
Inside. Yeah. And it has holy water and it just, like, drops down, and people put their hand in and they, like, rubbed it on their face. And so my mom and I got it, and we, like, rubbed a little on our face, and then we did, like, little, like, crossing even though we're not Catholic. We're, like, people are You do that in general? I do. You do that when we pass a dead rat? There's something comforting about crossing yourself. I don't know. I have OCD. Okay, people?
[00:39:30] Cole McCormick:
So Rome was, like, peak Rome Rome was peak religious, AC what's the you and your mom have, like, these little, like, religious tics. And so now you're seeing the roots of all those religious tics. You're in the motherland of all those Yes. Of of the guilt. Yes. That's where the guilt originates.
[00:39:52] Unknown:
Yeah. And I'm sure that there's AC in many places, but there were some places didn't have it. And we were like, oh, thank god. We were in the we found places that didn't have AC. Another con is the variety. So when you go into a store there, like, just a general store, they have, like, 1 or 2 of each item. So it is interesting when you come back to the United States and, like, just What what do you mean 1 or 2? Like, different options of, like, brands or, like Yeah. They literally only have 2 things on the shelf? No. No. Like, of the brands. Like, they might have 2 different types of crackers. They might have 2 different 2 or 3 different brands of these cookies. They might have, like, all of just this one water. Like, the variety of brands compared to, like, the cereal aisle in America.
You have an entire cereal aisle.
[00:40:42] Cole McCormick:
They have 2 cereals.
[00:40:43] Unknown:
And they had, you know, a few of each product on the shelf, you know, a few bread. Just less. Yeah. And so I was like, that is an interesting thing. I am very used to having so many choices.
[00:40:57] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. Like, we have, like how many peanut butter options do we have? Like, 12 or 15? And so I don't know if it's quite a con. It's a personal con for me. Some people might not like. Because you're looking for color scheme. You want branding. You want you don't care about seed oils. You don't care about It's not that I want. I just like to have the options. You just want the options in front of you? Yeah. I can't eat the majority of them, but I wanna know I have the option in case I do. And the lack of options makes you feel like you're not in control?
[00:41:27] Unknown:
It's not that. It's just I don't know. I think if I was able to eat everything, like, if I didn't have a gluten allergy and they only had, like, 2 or 3 options of each, like, staple, I'd be, like, oh, I kinda want, like, to try more. You know? I don't know. It might get a little boring.
[00:41:45] Cole McCormick:
Right.
[00:41:46] Unknown:
That's interesting. Yeah. I kind of like the absurd variety America has.
[00:41:54] Cole McCormick:
So you enjoy that. You want more variety. You want I like how Doritos cool ranch GI Joe edition I like the flavors. Yes. With the flavors. Yes. Spike of lime.
[00:42:04] Unknown:
Yeah. Like, I love the variety. I love how I love I love in the summer when they do, like, the chip flavor competition and people write in a new chip flavor. And for, like, couple months, you can have, like, oh, wild chip, a Lay's chip flavor.
[00:42:21] Cole McCormick:
Oh, yeah. I've heard something about that, but I've never done that. I've never tasted it. That is just like Like, we can make a flavor out of anything.
[00:42:28] Unknown:
Yeah. It's just satisfying.
[00:42:31] Cole McCormick:
I guess. From, like, some from, like, a laboratory scientific perspective, I guess. Yeah. Like, yeah, we can make any flavor.
[00:42:38] Unknown:
Yes. We can make you eat anything. If I live in a place that never had that, I think I might grow homesick of certain flavors.
[00:42:48] Cole McCormick:
Like, what? Nacho cheese?
[00:42:50] Unknown:
No. Like, I don't know. They do, like, wild, like I don't remember what it was called, but just, like, the different chip flavors.
[00:42:57] Cole McCormick:
Zebra cake spice?
[00:42:59] Unknown:
Yeah. Birthday cake? But, yeah, just the varieties. Very nice here. Mhmm. Another one at the it's hard to say con, but I was talking to my brother, and he was in the air force, and he did multiple tours in the Middle East. And I was talking to him about it, and I was agreeing with him about I could see this too in different countries. The morale is so different. He was like, it's so nice to go to other countries and explore. He's like, but one thing you do start to miss about the United States is that everyone has this, like, spirit of, like, the American dream. Like, everyone has this energy of, like, they could wake up tomorrow, and, like, their life could be completely changed, and they could have, like, any amount of success they want.
And in other places, they don't necessarily have that anything can happen American dream, like dreamer morale. There are some people in different countries that just kind of accept what is, and don't necessarily, maybe foolishly in America, have that, like, anything can happen. I could be a I could grow up in one one economic status and in 20 years be a millionaire. You know what I mean?
[00:44:26] Cole McCormick:
Mhmm. Yeah. There's definitely more hope here. There's more Yeah. There's just a certain
[00:44:31] Unknown:
amount of of opportunity is here. Yes. It's like an opportunity morale, and it doesn't mean that the people there don't have, like, great spirit and everything. It just means that they're a little more content. They're not as, like, aggressively hungry for the American dream.
[00:44:53] Cole McCormick:
Did that make you want the American dream more? Like, did that inspire you to be more American in that sense of, like, like, my life can be different or I'm happy, like like, because, like, you do have so many options in America to be successful. You have no matter, like there's so many stories. No matter what your story is, there's always a story of someone making it going through hard times in America and, like, continuing to fight and, like, find a way and to believe in themselves. Like, that that story is American. You know, I've never seen a rags to riches story. Like, like, there every country has a rags to riches story, but, like, that is it seems so tied to America right now. Yeah. And that that that I think is very unique, and it's interesting how your brother sees a lack of that idea.
[00:45:47] Unknown:
Yeah. And, like, he was gone for, like, a year tour in different places, like, a few different times, did a few tours. And that is one thing he said is, like, you do kind of miss this, like, camaraderie spirit of, like, America. I'm gonna start a business. You know? I can do anything I want. Yeah. Yeah. Like, this, like, literally, you can do anything you want. It's a very western mentality, I feel like.
[00:46:08] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. And that's healthy, you think?
[00:46:10] Unknown:
To a certain extent. I think there's some maybe some the other cultures might be a little more realistic, but I would prefer personally to live in a place where everyone is trying to be their best selves and reach their goals than to be in a place where I don't have that that feeling or the feeling of, like, I I wouldn't wanna live in a place where I felt content, but not only con content, but, like, not mow like, I don't know if not motivated. But you know what I mean? Like, I don't wanna live in a place where people are so content that they're not willing to challenge
[00:46:55] Cole McCormick:
things. Yeah. There is this, like, rebellious spirit in America that can really rub off on you no matter what job you do or something like you're always gonna be a little rebel or you're always gonna try to like, this company could be better. Yeah. Yeah. There's always like, someone's always saying that. Someone's always, like, critiquing because of, like I don't know. Like, the the because they think the world can be better. Yeah. The situation can be better. Everyone's saying that out here.
[00:47:22] Unknown:
And then my last con is I know I said about how amazing the transit is, but I did miss having the control of driving. You like driving now? So I like driving. I want to have the option of reliable and speedy transit, but I do also want to have my own car. Like, I don't like solely relying on the transit system. I think I would get sick of that after a bit. I think I would want to also have the option to drive, which, obviously, you can. They they drive pretty wild there, though. Mhmm. Might be a little scared to drive, but I wouldn't want to just depend on the transit system. Right. I do like having the freedom to drive and just go anywhere. You know?
Right. Even just driving around and just, like, figuring out where you wanna go is fun.
[00:48:19] Shannon Passey:
Cars are fun. Like, people criticize cars. Excuse me again.
[00:48:24] Cole McCormick:
You know, having a car is fun. Yeah. It's fun to have a car. It's fun to go on a road trip. It's fun to, like, be able to just, like, have, like, a little like, people treat their cars like a little mini home. You know? That's it's interesting, and it's cute, and it's cozy, and, like, you can make it what you want it to be. And so the car culture is very like, it's changed. There used to be a car culture of, like, like, it was just like it it was a culture of innovation, and then it was a culture of leisure, culture of getting away and driving anywhere you can, and and then it just become a utility.
Yeah. And now it's sort of like an expression.
[00:49:04] Unknown:
Yeah. And based where you live, a necessity.
[00:49:07] Cole McCormick:
The way you drive is, like, really based off of where you live.
[00:49:10] Unknown:
Yeah. We weren't gonna miss it. Like, I do like the freedom you have with your car of leaving when you want and arriving someplace when you want and having the luxury to stay as long as you want someplace before leaving versus me having to make sure we got back to the the train station
[00:49:37] Cole McCormick:
a certain amount of time before it left. Yeah. You wanna be on your clock, not Yeah. Not someone else's. That's really interesting, Shanann. Yeah. Did you have anything else? Any other value? Like, what else did you wanna share? We got a bunch we have a boostagram to read and talk about. You know, you wanted to come on here and share your experience and oh, my headphones just died, or my headphones are about to die. I thought my thing I thought my system just crashed, but now it's just my headphones. You wanted to come on here and express the differences and the pros and cons.
Is America the best place on earth? Or are these other countries better?
[00:50:25] Unknown:
I think every I don't think I could say one is, like, absolute better than the other. I think that there are pros and cons to each place. I think that some places shine in different ways, and America shines in its own way.
[00:50:40] Cole McCormick:
She's running for to be a global politician, everybody. That's Oh. Old Shannon Passy. I just want every place in hot pot. She wants world peace and for everyone to have she wants world peace and for everyone to have the same opinion, possibly,
[00:50:54] Unknown:
if everyone agrees on it. I want everyone to be happy. Thank you for that value, Shannon. But no. I I love Italy. I highly recommend traveling if you ever get the opportunity to, just experiencing different cultures and, no, I loved it. There's definitely pros and cons to each place, and some people may prefer other places over America, and some people may be like, I can't wait to get back to America. But I think everywhere everywhere is just incredible.
[00:51:25] Cole McCormick:
That's really cool. Yeah. So Europe is valuable. Rome is valuable. Yeah. America is
[00:51:31] Unknown:
valuable. Yes. Cultures are valuable. Culture is yes. Travel and culture are very valuable. People are valuable.
[00:51:38] Cole McCormick:
Yeah. Valuable.
[00:51:40] Unknown:
Life is valuable. You just feel more connected to the people. Yeah. Just people in general. Yeah. I want that too. Because it's not just, like, this, like, far off place you've never been to anymore. You're like, oh, I've been there. I know somewhat of those people. I know
[00:51:57] Cole McCormick:
the beeline.
[00:51:58] Unknown:
Yeah. But, like, when, like, cultural things happen, it's like it hits a little more close to home because you're like, oh, but I've been there. I have experience there. I I know those people there. You sweat there. You've pissed there. Cried there. You ate cheese there. I threw up there from a migraine. Did you really? I did. I had a migraine, and I threw up, I think, the first morning.
[00:52:20] Cole McCormick:
Wow.
[00:52:22] Unknown:
I'm one with people.
[00:52:24] Cole McCormick:
One with the people. We're gonna head on into the value for value section folks. Shannon, if you didn't know, America Plus is a value for value show. What that means is I bring up the content that I think is interesting for a more beautiful world that my heart knows is possible. Try to talk about positive things. Try to try to identify unhealthy things and bring forward the healthy stuff. So, we just keep doing that. Last week's, last week, people are commenting on last week. I was talking about the assassination attempt for Donald j Trump that failed.
I went on a little haywire, and people send in some value, their treasure. This is the treasure portion of value for value. You can send it in through multiple ways, through time, talent, or treasure. Just by you listening, that's your talent. Like, that thank you for listening. The listens have been, like, dropping a little bit because of summer. Oh, yeah. And possibly because I'm uninteresting. No. But the the views have been dropping. So I just like thank you to anyone sending in a boostagram, on fountain, by the way. Info value for value dot info and fountain. Go to value for value dot info for more info, then download the fountain dot f m app. It's the best way to support the show. Value for value dot info is a website where it describes the entire model, what we're trying to build here at America Plus. Every podcast that uses value for value is able to do it in, like, their own way with their own community. And so I'm trying to just build a relationship with you. If you have anything to share about your world travels, about your opinions on Europe, socialized medicine, presidents, anything not controversial like that.
You can chime in, on the fountain app, or you can send in some PayPal money if you wanna use PayPal. And, you can support me monetarily while sending a message. And I'm reading a boostagram from fountain. Like, I got one of them, from last week. This one is coming from at saintandsats. What did he have to say about me talking about Donald Trump? He sends in 500 satoshis. Oh, that's the other thing about value for value. You you're sending me small bits of Bitcoin called SATS, Satoshis. It's like a whole it's like a whole different money system, which is it's being discussed right now in the podcasting 2 point o space. Okay. We might be moving away from Bitcoin, or we might be changing the primary base of how we exchange value monetarily.
It's very interesting. But we're keeping Bitcoin, but, like, Bitcoin's changing. Our pocket like, something's not working. Like, it's very interesting right now. But anyway, Satan'sats, they wanted to send him 500 Satoshis. And, because he's a Bitcoiner. And, he says, love the positivity in this episode. Thank you, Saint and Sats. Boosting is loving. And now as the French say, it is time for Le Boost. I went for a really positive vibe last week when a kind came to talking about Trump almost dying. And I hope people vibe with it. You know? It was just a raw reaction. We're living in crazy times, and I have my own opinions about what's going on, and I try to be positive about these things.
Shannon, do you have any work comments on my positivity from last week?
[00:56:02] Unknown:
No. I feel like you did a good job. I feel like a lot of stuff was, like, very negative online. Just all around, there's just a lot of, like, negativity and fear and everything. So I think that you talked about in a positive way and just what you were seeing and feeling.
[00:56:17] Cole McCormick:
It's just weird wild. You know? Not really have anything to add. So many podcasters are, like, jumping on this boat. Like, it's like the it's so easy to do make content around it. And it's like Yeah. I'm having an an instinct of, like, I don't really wanna say anything about it. Or, like, I just wanna say what I wanted. Like, I I I I wanna say a minimal amount of things on
[00:56:38] Unknown:
it. I like yeah. I personally never wanna talk about politics, like, outwardly with people. Like
[00:56:46] Cole McCormick:
Ever. In private or public?
[00:56:49] Unknown:
I I just don't like to. In private or public? Oh. Both? Yeah. I just
[00:56:55] Cole McCormick:
So you just don't like politics?
[00:56:56] Unknown:
It's just it gets everyone in such a negative head space nowadays. It's difficult. Which is why I was trying to be positive. And so that's I'm I'm glad that you were able to talk about in a positive way. Yeah.
[00:57:09] Cole McCormick:
So Saint Sats, thank you very much. Thank you to him and whoever wanted to donate. Some people have streamed in money. Who else is here, dude? Anyone else here? Nope. Just one just one old thing. Yeah. If you wanna donate to the show, the money goes to me. You know, I I'm paying for a hosting site. I'm, living a life. And it's my goal to, you know, sort of live off of podcasting and making content and, you know, just having a name for myself when it comes to health and bigger ideas for the world, better ideas for the world. I'm trying to I'm I'm just trying to grift on a more beautiful world.
I'm telling you, the world is not ending, and that's why you should give me money. A part of value for value is also, I'm able to play music on the podcast legally, and I can split payment with the musician, which is like the biggest innovation in the whole value for value space. Would you say the same thing, Trent? Yeah. And I wanna play a song right now. I'm on the website wavelake.com. We're just on the top 40 right now, Shan. I'm gonna give you the opportunity to pick a song, and we're just gonna have the song be played out. Whenever you hear a song on America Plus, the artist is getting a 60% split of yours of your satoshi donation.
So, Shannon, if you wanna scroll and just, like, pick a song, tell me which one to play. Play this one. So you're gonna be in charge of giving Oh my god. Yeah. Ainsley Costello. Yeah. What about her? One called People Pleaser. Yeah. You wanna listen to that one? She's talking about being a people pleaser. That's so funny. Yeah. This is a newer one from Ainsley. Oh my god. Yes. So so okay. Okay. Great. So we're gonna play Ainsley Costello, people pleaser. She's getting 60% of your satoshi donation. It's value for value. Ainsley's awesome. I talked to her. Go listen to that interview, the Ainsley Costello interview.
She's currently number 13 on this list. And this number yeah. She's people pleasers number 13 on on Wave Lake. So let's do it. That's perfect. Enjoy.
[00:59:35] Shannon Passey:
Even if I wasn't into it. I'm not proud of it. Never know how
[01:01:45] Cole McCormick:
That's, okay. That's that's America Plus, bitch.
[01:01:54] Shannon Passey:
Stay free.
Cultural Differences: Italy, Greece, and Turkey
Importance of Traveling as an American
First Impressions of Rome
Italian Lifestyle and Work Culture
Touring Italy: Florence, Venice, and Rome
Gluten-Free Food in Italy
Cruise Experience: American vs. European Food
Comparing Rome and Greece to America
Public Transportation in Europe
Exploring Turkish Bazaars
Pros and Cons of European Lifestyle
American Dream vs. European Contentment
