Why don't we have these ? (USA & Canada)

- flush plus suction toilets! And which refill so fast and so quietly.

- very few billboards as you come into town, and only  for local businesses

- 'community building': often, but not always looked-forward-to seasonal church and school activities, frequently supported by non-participants. Well, perhaps we do have this, but it doesn't come naturally to us ?

- youth hostels that have changed (or perhaps ours have too ?). No more age restrictions, no more compulsory chores, no need to arrive on foot or by bike with sleeping bags, and above all, double rooms with private bath ! But prices are not what they used to be either...

- amazingly frequent and clean public toilets, sometimes  with little baby seats on the back of the door  so you can pee without putting your baby on the floor,

- shower rails which match the curve of the bath, with double curtains on: one thick heavy duty inside the bath, and one light decorative one outside

- quiet, 100 wagon long freight trains. How many lorries are they taking off the roads ?

- people whose job is simply to wave you in the right direction (road works). Creates employment.

But I'm glad we have these:

- temporary traffic lights at road works instead (awful job)

- passenger trains ! We didn't see a single one in 3 weeks, fast or not

- showers for which you can adjust the flow

- restaurant meals with vegetables... even shops with vegetables ! Unknown in the midwest.

- public toilets with decent-sized walls and doors...


And so glad we have nothing resembling the sadness and desolation of out-of-sight small towns on Indian reservations in the North-West: no past left, and no foreseeable future.