World Cup Fans Came For Soccer. They Ended Up Falling In Love With America.
Whether they're marveling at Buc-ee's, ranking their favorite meals, or sharing stories of hospitality, World Cup visitors are reminding Americans what they've been taking for granted. Some have even joked that they're giving the country its "best PR" campaign in years.
A German World Cup fan named Freddy spent the past week driving through Georgia, Alabama, and Texas, documenting every stop along the way. He posted about Waffle House at one in the morning and praised the customer service, and that same week, he stood inside a Buc-ee's in visible disbelief and marveled at the size of Bass Pro Shops, sharing photos of the many guns that were for sale. He became obsessed with country music playing on local radio stations (who doesn't love Ella Langley?), and repeatedly expressed amazement at the kindness of complete strangers. Despite most states appearing like concrete jungles, he was amazed at how green and lush the South was.