Anyone living in Iowa?

[ElizaE]

Hi,
My husband and I just got residencies together at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Go Hawks!!!

Anyone from the Iowa City area that could tell us something about the parishes there, we would really appreciate that. We want a “conservative” parish (if you know what I mean). Thank you so much for all your help.

 

[Harmony1988]

catholiclinks.org/parichesiowa.htm

 

[1ke]

I’m a couple of hours east in WI, so I can’t help you with parishes. But, I wanted to say congratulations on the residencies and “welcome to the Midwest”.

I am from TX (Houston) and it will be a cultural adjustment for you here in the MW.

 

[Maxply]

Iowa City’s a pretty place and very likeable. My sister went to school there.

I’m curious how a move to the midwest requires some cultural adjustment. Any notes to share?

 

[jrabs]

Iowa City’s a pretty place and very likeable. My sister went to school there.

I’m curious how a move to the midwest requires some cultural adjustment. Any notes to share?

good question. I was wondering the same.

 

[sanctareparata]

good question. I was wondering the same.

I’m wondering too. (I’m from Iowa.)

 

[Shiann]

We’re north of you, in the Dakotas and my husband is from the DFW area (he’s never lived anywhere but TX) and would completely agree with you 1ke



He would say things like some of the food (he loves hot food, and when he cooks for friends he has to be very careful not to put too much heat in there.) He jokes about something having black pepper in it being to hot for us .

Some of the things we say… Soda, or pop for a generic named Coke…

And the way we say certain words is funny to him.

Then there are political cultures he’s not used to, various weather patterns etc that he’s still learning about… lol

Just a lot for a southern born “johnny reb” (that’s what he calls himself) to take in

Though we technically aren’t Yankees since we didn’t even have statehood till well after the civil war.

 

[1ke]

#1 Food: Texas has a very rich history of Tex-Mex, Cajun, Barbeque, Southern and other assorted ethnic cuisine. If one lives in a large city, then expand that to include Indian, Italian, Chinese and a million others.

Up here, when you go to a restaurant, they all serve the same thing: some sort of baked or pan-fried meat smothered in some sort of gravy, mashed potatos, corn, “jello salad”, and white bread. The heritage is mostly German, and German food is bland-- or pickled.

It is a something a Southern palate will take getting used to. I long for Tex-Mex. And Chi-Chi’s or Chevy’s is *not *Mexican food.

#2 Diversity: I haven’t seen a black person in months. I see a few Hispanics-- here and there. In TX-- it’s a rainbow, even in the small towns. Here it’s a sea of white people-- white, white, white. Although, in a college town perhaps there will be more. (I’m not saying this is a BAD thing, it’s just “different”). My SIL lives in Iowa, and it’s white, white white.

#3 Climate: DEFINITELY an adjustment

#4 Friendliness: Southern hospitality versus MW hospitality. My DH comments all the time on the type of service he receives when he visits down in TX (restaurants, stores, etc) versus up here. Same for your average friendliness on the street. He is amazed at “Southern hospitality” and it’s definitely something noticeable. Again, MW people aren’t horrible or rude, they are just different-- more restrained or reserved perhaps is a good way to explain it.

I am **NOT **saying the MW is a terrible place. I love it here. It’s just **different **in a lot of ways.

No flames, please.

 

[1ke]

He would say things like some of the food (he loves hot food, and when he cooks for friends he has to be very careful not to put too much heat in there.) He jokes about something having black pepper in it being to hot for us .

We had my MIL/FIL over for dinner-- uh, I mean supper-- and her comment was “My how different people cook where you’re from”.

I served Chicken Milanese, chicken and mushroom ravioli in Alfredo sauce (because red sauce is too “hot”), garlic bread, and Caesar salad! They nearly flipped!

Yes, the thought of pepper on food is heinous to them. Too spicy.

Now, DH, OTOH loves my cooking to the point that now when we eat at his folks he says “wow, that was pretty bland”.

Oh, and DH didn’t know that chili does not contain NOODLES until I made him some Texas Red.

 

[Shiann]

#1 Food: Texas has a very rich history of Tex-Mex, Cajun, Barbeque, Southern and other assorted ethnic cuisine. If one lives in a large city, then expand that to include Indian, Italian, Chinese and a million others.

Up here, when you go to a restaurant, they all serve the same thing: some sort of baked or pan-fried meat smothered in some sort of gravy, mashed potatos, corn, “jello salad”, and white bread. The heritage is mostly German, and German food is bland-- or pickled.

YES. Though DH has found some decent food that reminds him (albeit in a limited way) of home. And I can cook (and he can cook) so we make do.

It is a something a Southern palate will take getting used to. I long for Tex-Mex. And Chi-Chi’s or Chevy’s is *not *Mexican food.

ROFL

#2 Diversity: I haven’t seen a black person in months. I see a few Hispanics-- here and there. In TX-- it’s a rainbow, even in the small towns. Here it’s a sea of white people-- white, white, white. Although, in a college town perhaps there will be more. (I’m not saying this is a BAD thing, it’s just “different”). My SIL lives in Iowa, and it’s white, white white.

He was just commenting recently how surprised he is at how many different nationalities he runs into. In his work, it’s mostly white, but if we hit a Walmart… diversity is obvious around here. Middle east, Hispanic, African… etc.

#3 Climate: DEFINITELY an adjustment

again ROFL… he asked me this mroning if I thought his truck had snow on it AGAIN from overnight snowfall… duh honey. It’s called winter.

#4 Friendliness: Southern hospitality versus MW hospitality. My DH comments all the time on the type of service he receives when he visits down in TX (restaurants, stores, etc) versus up here. Same for your average friendliness on the street. He is amazed at “Southern hospitality” and it’s definitely something noticeable. Again, MW people aren’t horrible or rude, they are just different-- more restrained or reserved perhaps is a good way to explain it.

He thinks that MW’s around here are slow. Somewhat mentally slow, and just slow to respond. He often gets frustrated at slow service in restaurants etc. The restrained that you speak of is something he likes very much and is very friendly with those who have that temperament at work and at ‘play’.

I am **NOT **saying the MW is a terrible place. I love it here. It’s just **different **in a lot of ways.

No flames, please.

You explained it very well from what I have noted in my conversations with DH about local culture LOL. Certainly no flames from this direction!

 

[Shiann]

We had my MIL/FIL over for dinner-- uh, I mean supper-- and her comment was “My how different people cook where you’re from”.

Oh Lord! When my DH first got here, he cooked a breakfast dish that had very yummy lightly hot Annaheim peppers (NO SEEDS). My family really liked it, but my brother “whoo there’s some heat in there!” Hubby was just astounded, and we still laugh about it. Mom and granny have made similar comments with various things he’s made, but they all partake in the vittles and enjoy it!

I served Chicken Milanese, chicken and mushroom ravioli in Alfredo sauce (because red sauce is too “hot”), garlic bread, and Caesar salad! They nearly flipped!

ROFL

Yes, the thought of pepper on food is heinous to them. Too spicy.

Now, DH, OTOH loves my cooking to the point that now when we eat at his folks he says “wow, that was pretty bland”.

Oh, and DH didn’t know that chili does not contain NOODLES until I made him some Texas Red.

Well for the record, I’ve never heard of noodles in chili either and I’ve lived in the Dakotas my whole life… lol

Though hubby’s favorite chili recipe (Which does NOT = ground meat in tomato juice with kidney beans!!!) is like a chemistry experiment with the various spices and chilis… it’s watching a master at work.

Yah, and it’s hot.

 

[1ke]

He was just commenting recently how surprised he is at how many different nationalities he runs into. In his work, it’s mostly white, but if we hit a Walmart… diversity is obvious around here. Middle east, Hispanic, African… etc.

Not even in Walmart around here!

And, I’ve been trying to find someone to paint my house for months. In Houston, I’d be able to find a crew in no time!

again ROFL… he asked me this mroning if I thought his truck had snow on it AGAIN from overnight snowfall… duh honey. It’s called winter…

Snow in April is just WRONG.

We had flurries here today. I cannot tell you how completely bizarre that is.

Winter clothes have been packed away back home for over 2 months-- if they ever came out in the first place. I had to buy all sorts of winter clothing. I didn’t have any. My *coat *back home is something of a *jacket *that you’d wear at night in June around here. A jacket in June? Huh?