When I decided to go to college in Wisconsin, I couldn't be more excited to move to a land that I once considered a vacation place due to all of its lakes. In coming from the Midwest, I thought I knew exactly what to expect from the Badger State. Low and behold, Wisconsin has surprised me in more ways than just its (literal to die for) cheese.
1. Being a Packer fan is more like a religion
On Game Sundays, walking into church EVERYONE is wearing a packer jersey. and if the Packers have the Monday Night Football game spot, the sidewalks are filled with green and gold (The guy in the sweater is the best depiction of the typical fan).
2. Culver's is Wisconsinites' fourth meal of the day
Whether you are stopping for a ButterBurger or have been collecting free scoop cards, Culver's is the best fast food in Wisconsin to pig out. But make sure to first check out the Flavor of the Day!
3. "It's the Bubbler"
This is one thing I will never understand and constantly debate over. There are no bubbles in a drinking fountain!
5. Wisconsin Accents
I'm not sure if it's an exaggerated Chicago accent, the German heritage there, or what, but every vowel is even more prominent. With the long "A" sound, hearing Wisconsinites say "bag" or "flag" is so laughable. And to add to it, some of their favorite catch phrases are "Stop and Go Light" and "Come here real quick" and adding "ya know?" to the end of every sentence.
6. Don't even try to pronounce the town names
If you're bored on a long car ride in Wisconsin, listening to how Siri pronounces every town name is entertaining in itself. Oconomowoc. Kewaunee. Peshtigo. Weyauwega. Winnebago... Need I say more?
7. Cheese Curds are LIFE
My friends and family from home make fun of my new obsession with cheese curds but they couldn't be more delicious. Unless you try a freshly fried cheese curd, you will never understand.
There is also a reason why they're called the Cheesheads. Wisconsin has festivals for cheese alone filled with cheese tastings and even carving huge blocks of cheese. As crazy as this all sounds, no state could ever beat the Dairyland of Wisconsin.
8. Their music festivals don't get enough credit
Once summer rolls around, Wisconsin offers more live music opportunities than you can imagine from Country Thunder, Country USA, to even "the world's largest musical festival" of Summerfest. Wisconsin music festivals help you get a lot of music for not a lot of money as compared to other festivals offered in large cities such as Chicago.
9. If it's Friday that means Fish Fry
Friday Fish Fries are almost a ritual in Wisconsin. Battered Cod paired with potato pancakes give further proof that every food possible can and will be fried in Wisconsin.
10. There is no such thing as traffic
With clear skies behind you, stop and go traffic won't block your trip. With at most a 15 minute delay, Wisconsinites know nothing about traffic. This allows the ride through the state I was lucky to be introduced to even more enjoyable.