British Family Reacts to Why Can Americans Just Buy This??? video by L3WG Reacts.
Summary:
L3WG Reacts explores Charlie's journey into an American Fleet Farm, highlighting the vast scale of the store and its extensive inventory. The family observes the accessibility of various hunting gear, power equipment, and firearms, contrasting these retail experiences with those typically found in the United Kingdom.
Everything We Thought About The USA Was Wrong… video by James & Siana.
Summary:
For years, I (Siana) had always dreamed of travelling across the USA in an RV.
James, on the other hand, was hesitant. He’d only ever heard negative things about America in the media and wasn’t sure it was somewhere he even wanted to go.
But I convinced him to take the chance… and it completely changed our lives.
Our first trip started in Phoenix, Arizona, where we picked up our very first Cruise America RV and spent two weeks exploring Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. We’ve travelled to many countries before, but nothing came close to what we experienced on that trip.
We fell in love with the USA.
As soon as we got home, we couldn’t stop thinking about it… so we booked another trip. This time exploring California and Oregon — and we even extended it up to Washington State because we just couldn’t get enough.
The landscapes, the people, the diversity… it blew us away all over again.
Then came our third RV road trip — starting in Chicago and travelling through Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
And that’s when we realised something…
We don’t feel at home in the UK anymore.
If we could live in the USA right now, we would.
The only thing stopping us is the visa process — but we’re determined to make it happen in the next few years.
This video is our honest opinion of the USA as a British couple… and why we were so wrong.
What if the biggest surprise of the U.S. World Cup wasn't just the football—but the country itself? This documentary explores why thousands of European fans arrived with certain expectations about America, only to discover experiences that challenged many long-held assumptions. Through observations, public reactions, travel experiences, and economic context, we examine how the 2026 World Cup is reshaping international perceptions of the United States.Rather than making sweeping claims, this video analyzes how the World Cup USA has influenced American culture, sports tourism, and international travel. We also look at how European travel habits compare with domestic tourism, why American cities prepared differently for the tournament, and what visitors have highlighted after experiencing everyday life across the country.From transportation and hospitality to food, entertainment, and fan culture, the FIFA World Cup 2026 provides a unique opportunity to compare expectations with reality. By examining U.S. tourism, Europe vs America, and changing patterns in global tourism, we discuss practical lessons for future host nations while exploring how mega sporting events can reshape international reputation.This educational analysis also explores broader themes surrounding the U.S. economy, travel trends, sports economy, host cities, fan experience, cultural exchange, international visitors, tourism industry, North America travel, and global events. Instead of promoting one perspective, we present multiple viewpoints and possible explanations supported by observable trends and public discussion.
The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.
To begin the week, we go back to the 1960s (1967 to be specific) with "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum from the United Kingdom.
From Wikipedia:
Procol Harum (/ˈproʊkəl ˈhɑːrəm/) were an English rock band formed in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, in 1967. Their best-known recording is the 1967 hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", one of the few singles to have sold more than 10 million copies. Although noted for their baroque and classical influence, Procol Harum's music is described as psychedelic rock and proto-prog with hints of the blues, R&B, and soul.
In 2018, the band was honoured by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when "A Whiter Shade of Pale" was inducted into the new Singles category. They were previously nominated as performers in 2012.
The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.
To start off this week, we have Rod Stewart's 1971 hit, "Maggie May" from his album, Every Picture Tells A Story. This was his first hit as a solo artist.
From Wikipedia:
Sir Roderick David Stewart CBE (born 10 January 1945) is a British rock and pop singer and songwriter. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 120 million records worldwide. His music career began in 1962 when he took up busking with a harmonica. In 1963, he joined the Dimensions as a harmonica player and vocalist. In 1964, Stewart joined Long John Baldry and the All Stars before moving to the Jeff Beck Group in 1967. Joining Faces in 1969, he also launched a solo career, releasing his debut album, An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down, that year. Stewart's early albums were a fusion of rock, folk music, soul music, and R&B. His third album, 1971's Every Picture Tells a Story, was his breakthrough, topping the charts in the UK, US, Canada and Australia, as did its ballad "Maggie May". His 1972 follow-up album, Never a Dull Moment, also reached number one in the UK and Australia, while going top three in the US and Canada. Its single, "You Wear It Well", topped the chart in the UK and was a moderate hit elsewhere.
The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.
To start off the week, we have the Small Faces from the United Kingdom and their 1967 hit, :"Itchykoo Park".
From Wikipedia:
The Small Faces were an English rock band from London, founded in 1965. The group originally consisted of Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones and Jimmy Winston, with Ian McLagan replacing Winston as the band's keyboardist in 1966. The band were one of the most acclaimed and influential mod groups of the 1960s, recording hit songs such as "Itchycoo Park", "Lazy Sunday", "All or Nothing" and "Tin Soldier", as well as their concept album Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake. They evolved into one of the UK's most successful psychedelic bands until 1969.
When Marriott left to form Humble Pie, the remaining three members collaborated with Ronnie Wood, Wood's older brother Art Wood, Rod Stewart and Kim Gardner, briefly continuing under the name Quiet Melon, and then, with the departure of Art Wood and Gardner, as the Faces. In North America, the Faces' debut album was credited to the Small Faces.
Following the breakup of both the Faces and Humble Pie in 1975, the classic line-up of the Small Faces re-formed (consisting of Marriott, Lane, McLagan and Jones) after a re-release of "Itchycoo Park" became a top-ten hit Lane left shortly thereafter, and was replaced by Rick Wills (later of Foreigner). This line-up (dubbed Mk-II by Marriott recorded one album Playmates before recruiting Jimmy McCulloch. This five-piece line-up released only 78 in the Shade before breaking up.
The Small Faces have been considered one of the early inspirations for – and even an early root of – the later Britpop movement. English music journalist Jon Savage has called them "the one Brit group that prefigures the early Sex Pistols [who covered Small Faces' ]"Whatcha Gonna Do About It"." They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.
The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.
Here we are in the start of another week. To begin it, we have the British supergroup, Asia with their hit from 1982 "Heat of the Moment".
From Wikipedia:
Asia are an English rock supergroup formed in London in 1981. The most commercially successful lineup was its original, which consisted of four members of different progressive rock bands who had enjoyed great success in the 1970s: lead vocalist and bassist John Wetton (King Crimson, Uriah Heep and U.K.), guitarist Steve Howe (Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes (Yes and the Buggles) and drummer Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer). Their debut album, Asia, released in 1982, remains their best-selling album and went to number one in several countries. Billboard listed it as the top album in the U.S. in 1982. The lead single from the album, "Heat of the Moment", remains their top charting and best-known song, reaching the top 40 in over a dozen markets. It peaked at #4 in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
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| Above, The Three Sisters in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Intentional or not, the movies act as travelogues and advertisements with their locations around the world.
Thirteen years ago, I published The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan that provided locations and attractions of Godzilla and other monsters of Japanese movies. Many visitors to Japan who are also giant monster movie (daikaiju eiga) fans made good use of the book.
A new book on movie locations, The Screen Traveller’s Guide, has been published and is featured in an article in the U.K.'s Wanderlust website on ten iconic film and television destinations. One of the locations spotlighted in the article is our own Monument Valley.
It starts out with:
Armchair travel is all well and good but what about taking it to the next level? Planning travel based on iconic film and TV scenes that you’ve admired on-screen is a sure way to create a unique trip. DK has just published The Screen Traveller’s Guide, a perfect companion for planning a getaway that follows in the footsteps of your favourite characters.
The book was researched and compiled by a team of self-proclaimed movie zealots and travel experts, so it’s jam-packed with fandom favourites and ever-loved classics. A book to browse slowly over time or devour in one go, The Screen Traveller’s Guide is full of detailed location maps, information about studio tours, inspirational road trip routes and insider tips about specific scenes. One thing’s for sure, if these 10 destinations are good enough for Hollywood directors, they’re certainly worthy of being the backdrop for your next holiday.
To read more, go here.
The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.
To start off the week, we have Sir Cliff Richard and his 1976 hit, "Devil Woman". Although Richard was big in the United Kingdom, he had limited success in the United States until "Devil Woman", which was Richard's first true hit here.
According to Wikipedia:
Sir Cliff Richard OBE (born Harry Rodger Webb; 14 October 1940) is an Indian-born English singer who holds both British and Barbadian citizenship. He has total sales of over 21.5 million singles in the United Kingdom and is the third-top-selling artist in UK Singles Chart history, behind the Beatles and Elvis Presley.
Although I'm no fan of King Charles III, I did watch some replays of his coronation today. The ceremonies, established by law and hundreds of years of tradition, were fascinating to watch nonetheless.
As he is head of the Church of England, it was interesting to hear the many references to Jesus Christ and Christianity.
It will be interesting to see how long his reign will be, given the fact that he is now 74.
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| Above, 2023 silver Britannia coins. No endorsement of King Charles III is implied. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It boggles the mind to see some Americans get all excited and gushy over the upcoming coronation of King Charles III.
Sure, it is an historical event for the United Kingdom. I can understand people wanting to see the pomp and ceremony take place, only as casual spectators on "this side of the pond." But to get all excited and, in some cases, "gushy" over it, is ridiculous to me. One friend set up British flags in his yard to celebrate the coronation. Huh?
The matter over "the Colonies" and the English monarchy was settled nearly 250 years ago in 1776. So what's the big deal (as far as Americans are concerned)?
Frankly, I find the King to be someone of questionable character, considering he cheated on his wife, Princess Diana. The Royal Family has been dysfunctional for years with the current saga of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle making practically daily headlines. We also have Prince Andrew's involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. The only Royal who seems to be a decent sort is heir-apparent Prince William.
A Canadian friend was perplexed over why I would buy silver Britannia coins featuring the image of King Charles III as he also finds him to be unsavory, referring to him a "globalist ass" as well as an adulterer (some folks do have standards). I couldn't care less about the King, but bought the coins as an investment since they are the first coins with his image and the first year of his reign. This would likely affect their future value. (I also bought some featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II.) Besides, the price was right. Buying them is not an endorsement of the King.
This wasn't the first time Americans gushed over the Royals in my lifetime. I remember many Americans gushing over the wedding of Charles and Diana, as if it were the second coming of Christ. My supervisor at the time asked me to videotape the wedding, which I did. Since the wedding took place while we were asleep, all I had to do was set the timer and pop in a blank tape. I didn't have to watch it.
I guess the coronation will please some dullards here. Considering what a moron we have in the White House, this may be somewhat understandable.
To each their own.
Finally, I was able to get my mail at the post office down at the Flying J.
Due to staffing issue (mainly with the Flying J), the post office had been closed since last Thursday.
In my mail, were two 2023 Silver 2 Pound Britannia coins with King Charles III's effigy on them. These are the first U.K. coins to feature the King.
Here is a fascinating address by former President Richard Nixon to students at the Oxford Union in November 1978. Following his address, he takes questions from the students.
The video synopsis from the Richard Nixon Foundation:
November 1978: President Nixon takes questions from British and American students and talks about foreign affairs at the Oxford Union.
The 2023 Silver and Gold Britannias have been released. At least, their images.
They feature the image of King Charles III.
Coin dealers such as LM Bullion are taking orders for when the Royal Mint releases them.
The 2023 Silver and Gold Britannias featuring Queen Elizabeth II have already been released.
For ordering the Silver Britannia, go here.
...with the rest of the coin collection.
Today, the new 2023 Silver Britannia coin I ordered arrived in today's mail.
According to Wikipedia:
Britannia coins are British bullion coins issued by the Royal Mint in gold since 1987, in silver since 1997, and in platinum since 2018. The coin patterns feature various depictions of Britannia, a feminine personification of the United Kingdom.
Since 2013 the silver coins have been produced with a millesimal fineness of 0.999 (99.9% silver).
This will be the final year that Queen Elizabeth II will be featured on the Britannia coins. Later this year, King Charles III will have his effigy on the coin.
From Wikipedia:
David Michael Kurten is a British politician who has served as leader of the Heritage Party since September 2020. He previously was a member of the London Assembly for Londonwide from 2016 to 2021. Elected as a UK Independence Party candidate, he subsequently left the party in January 2020.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has passed away at 96, it was announced within the past half hour.
According to ABC News:
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II "died peacefully" on Thursday, according to the royal family. She was 96.
The news of her death came just hours after Buckingham Palace announced that the queen's doctors were "concerned" about her health and were keeping her under "medical supervision" at Balmoral Castle, the British royal family's estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where she has been vacationing this summer.
She was the longest reigning monarch in British history. She had reigned so long that her image appeared on a magazine cover in a 1953 episode of the Adventures of Superman, "A Ghost For Scotland Yard".
Prince Charles automatically became King upon his mother's death. The date of his coronation is yet to be determined.
To read more, go here.
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| Above, Asakusa's Senso-ji temple in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
My last blog post on Japan tourism stated that Japan has "no plan" for reopening of the country to foreign tourism. That seems to be rather explicit, right?
Apparently, there is some confusion over lifting of their travel ban.
The following comes from The Independent (U.K.):
Japan delighted its many travel fans the world over on Wednesday, when it announced that it would lift its blanket travel ban on foreign visitors from 106 countries, including the UK and US.
However, don’t book a ticket just yet - it also appears that travellers arriving for the purpose of tourism are still barred.
The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the lift of the travel ban, which came into effect at midnight last night, saying: “The following 106 countries will not be subject to denial of permission to enter Japan from 0.00 am (JST) on 8 April 2022.”
The list of countries includes the UK, US, Canada, and 42 European nations.
Most African nations, along with European countries including Russia and Armenia, remain banned.
But the devil is in the detail: with visa exemption agreements still suspended and embassies abroad still restricting visas, tourists remain unable to get in.
To read the full article, go here.
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| Above, actor Daniel Craig. Photo from 007.com email. |
Actor Daniel Craig, who is vacating his role of James Bond following the completion (and soon to be released) of No Time To Die, has been appointed honorary Commander of the Royal Navy.
According to 007.com:
Daniel Craig has been made an honorary Commander in the Royal Navy. Commander Craig’s appointment as an honorary officer reflects his personal support for HM Armed Forces and links it with the legacy created through the guise of fictional British secret agent James Bond.
Honorary officers in the Royal Navy bring a breadth of experience and contribute in their own distinct way to strengthen the navy’s ties with the communities it serves. Commander Craig is keen to support personnel with the Royal Navy, with a particular interest in service families.
Commander Craig said: “I am truly privileged and honoured to be appointed the rank of Honorary Commander in the senior service.”
The rank matches that of James Bond in the films and the announcement comes ahead of the premiere of the newest Bond instalment No Time To Die. Filmmakers worked closely with the Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence in the production of the latest film in the franchise.
To read more, go here.
In an unprecedented move on Wednesday, the United Kingdom's Parliament condemned His Fraudulency Joe Biden and held him in contempt over his handling of the withdrawl in Afghanistan.
The Washington Free Beacon reported:
The United Kingdom's Parliament on Wednesday held President Joe Biden in contempt for his withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, calling the move "catastrophic" and "shameful."
Members of Parliament, including some who served alongside U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, accused Biden of "throwing us and everybody else to the fire" with his decision to withdraw. They also attacked Biden for his "shameful" criticism of the Afghan National Army and said it was "dishonourable" to blame Afghanistan's fighting force for the Taliban's takeover.
"Those who have never fought for the colours they fly should be careful about criticising those who have," said Tom Tugendhat, a British Army veteran of the Afghanistan war and the Conservative chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Biden is one of only a few U.S. presidents who have not served in the military.
After the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, Biden said he stood "squarely behind" his decision to pull out, adding that "there was never a good time to withdraw U.S. forces." He blamed Afghanistan's president and military for the collapse of the country.
Do you think the British are pissed?
The time is now for Biden to resign!
To read more, go here.
