Things I Miss About the US When I Travel Abroad

So basically I’ve only been in the US for about 4 months since I started traveling full-time in 2022. That seems like a lot, but also consider this: the longer I’m away the more the cravings build up until eventually I explode and have to schedule a stop back home.

Most of these are food-related because that’s what I miss the most in my day-to-day life, but also some things are cultural. Here’s a few things that I miss about the United States when I travel away from it for a long time!

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Washed eggs

I don’t care that washing eggs means they have to stay in the fridge, I just want to be able to open a carton and not see a clump of chicken poo staring back at me.

Cool Ranch Doritos

This specific flavor is unique to the US. I found “American flavor” Doritos in the UK a few years ago which was close, but the flavor was nowhere as intense as the ones we have at home. I guess it’s because nobody but us likes Ranch dressing?

Hotels rooms with microwaves and tiny fridges

Makes it much easier to cook small meals without having to spring for an entire aparthotel/apartment. I think the US is really the only place where these two appliances are standard in a hotel room (along with a coffee pot). Elsewhere you really only get a hot water kettle, and maybe a minifridge.

(American style) Mexican food

I’ve actually had Mexican food in Southeast Asia and it’s pretty good! But it’s missing the specific chili flavor that I’m used to. Also sometimes the Mexican food in Asia is actually South American food. It’s still good, just not the exact flavor profile I expected.

Some stores have Old El Paso taco seasoning packets in their “international foods” section, which I have gotten before when the craving got to be too much, but it’s just like the Old El Paso in the US which means it’s not great. Also god help you if you try those flour tortillas.

Oh, btw: Malaysia has Taco Bell that tastes the same as the US Taco Bell if you’re craving that style of Mexican food!

Accessibility standards in public spaces

The US has the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and thanks to that we have the most accessible public spaces in the world, even in historic buildings and whatnot. It makes it easy for people to get into places safely, and this benefits everybody— even able-bodied peoples. Yeah, some older apartment buildings don’t have elevators, but for the most part we’re pretty good at getting people into public places when they want to go in there. Libraries, museums, government buildings, hotels: accessible!

Many hotels in Western Europe, if they’re in older buildings, don’t have elevators to upper floors. Or if they do have elevators, they have weird hallways where you have to step down and then up again for no reason.

If they have elevators and no weird bumpy hallways, they don’t have a ramp to the entrance. Or if they do have elevators, smooth hallways and an entrance ramp, the fire doors are so heavy that you have to shove your entire weight into them to get through. Sheesh!

If you’re interested in learning more about accessible travel worldwide, here’s some great blogs to check out: Wheelchair Travel, I Wheel Travel, Little Miss Turtle.

Smoke detectors/carbon monoxide alarms

As in, standard everywhere in every hotel and apartment. It’s fairly typical for places to not have smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, especially if you’re staying in an AirBNB which is less regulated than a normal hotel. In the US even short-term rentals have strict safety laws, so they all have alarms– and fire escape routes (or they SHOULD anyway).

I’m actually going to buy a portable carbon monoxide detector/smoke alarm and carry it around with me for extra safety when head back to Europe this year.

Old Bay seasoning (and others)

Creole, Cajun and other regional season mixes which aren’t really available outside of the US (though import stores may have them). I actually brought a thing of Old Bay with me this year and it’s been a LIFESAVER since I do a lot of my own cooking.

Biscuits and sausage gravy for breakfast

I’m getting hungry just thinking about it! Sometimes I find this on Western-style restaurant menus, but the sausage gravy is just slightly off, flavor-wise. I guess it might be a different style of sausage, and different seasonings in the gravy?

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If you’re traveling abroad long-term, what do you miss about your home country?