Back in the USA from the Far East. For me, a very positive development. Not being nationalistic here but America has far more options than any other country. There's not even a close second.
Here are some quick observations from the road.
- We saw very few American vehicles in Japan, China, and South Korea. The trade con is absolutely a reality. The Trump tariff war has context.
- All three airlines we used, Air Japan, China Air, and Korean Airways, are better than US carriers. It should not be this way. Korean Air offered the best experience of the three.
- The average American lives far better than his or her counterpart in the Far East. There's absolutely no comparison especially on housing. Most folks are jammed into apartments over there.
- Compared to North Asian environments, we Americans are slobs. The public areas are very clean in Japan, China, and Korea, and most folks have a neat appearance, although their clothing is generally modest.
- By contrast, many American tourists looked terrible. Tattoos, polyester, sweat clothing. Dismal.
- Japan and South Korea are free. China and North Korea are fearsome police states. No individual rights whatsoever.
- Not many Americans wandering around Tokyo, Kyoto, Beijing, and Seoul. Probably a good thing. Language barrier is significant. They have "thanks so much" down, but that's about it.
I have now seen most of Asia. Each country is very different than the other. Historical bitterness remains, but not much hostility on display. Learned a lot.
See you this evening for the return of the No Spin News.
