In spite of the incredible sights seen and new friends made on a recent trip out of the country, I was extremely thankful to 1) survive an 11-hour flight in the economy section of a very large plane, and 2) see a sign as we passed through customs at the Denver Airport that said: “Welcome to the United States!”

Our 10 days oversees opened our eyes to a wealth of history, cultures and eating styles. In Amsterdam, our Dutch friend, Ellen, took us to a local cafe where she thankfully translated the menu for us. She suggested I order stamppot— a traditional dish of vegetables (kale, in this instance) mixed with mashed potatoes and served with a choice of sausage or meatball. I chose the meatball…one giant meatball. I quietly asked Ellen if it was customary in the Netherlands to ask for a container for leftovers. She emphatically shook her head that it is not.