The queries we received from our home exchange partner about our garbage disposal were priceless. She asked, "Where does it all go?" "You just put anything in there and it disappears?" Clearly, garbage disposals are not the rage in Ireland.
This is the sort of insight into another country that is difficult to get without meeting some of the natives or living in their houses. That's what home swapping is supposed to do. Other things we learned on our two week home trade in Europe was that most of the Irish get by just fine without clothes dryers (or garbage disposals, for that matter). We also wondered why that most wonderful of European item, the towel warmer, is not common over here. Love those things!
And of course, that sneaking suspicion that most people in the United States have that the Irish are a friendly, outgoing bunch blessed with the gift of the gab was reinforced with many personal experiences.
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