Whenever I’ve gone abroad for extended periods of time in the past (and by extended I mean, like, at least 2 weeks), there is one thing, above all, that I’ve missed about America. Maybe I just notice it a lot because I eat out a lot when traveling, or maybe because I’m kind of needy about this anyway . . . but would it kill European restaurants to give out water for free??
Water at an American restaurant is a given. Many, in fact, simply have water glasses ready at every table, ready to be filled immediately after the guests have taken their seats. Water available, cold, and crystal clear. And that’s something I’m going to miss, maybe because my water bottle is just as important to me as my keys, wallet, and phone whenever I leave the house. I know, I know, I’m neurotic about it. But I accept that about myself, okay?
Take, for example, the Czech Republic, where I was fortunate to have studied for a summer. Now, you have to know that I love and adore that country, I really, really do. And generally I think it’s funny that beer is, without fail, the cheapest item on any drink menu, without fail. Waiters will occasionally refill your beer glass without asking, like it’s water. But come on — sometimes you feel a little dehydrated, and I love me some Czech beer, but it’s sure not going to fix that.
However, one of the reasons I’ve wanted to move abroad for so long is just this — I notice how much I miss having ice water all the time, but it’s about the only thing that I notice that I miss America. Maybe that’ll change . . . for now, I’ll bitch about it a little.
Expat Bound 
Free water in Australia- at the bars, too! Guess that means you’ll have to come visit 🙂
I’m so excited for you, Lani! Miss you tons!