I don’t like the term “reverse culture shock” because America is still my culture so there’s not much about it that could shock me. But coming back from Honduras, it’s tough to remember how it was and catch up on the stuff I’ve missed.
When I came back a few days ago I was too busy sobbing in the airport and being depressed to really take notice of the little things. But when I came back before Christmas three weeks ago it had been a year since I was in the greatest country in the world. At the time I made a list of all the amazing, odd, and ridiculous things that I had seemed to forget about while living in the jungle. Here they are (in no particular order):
- So much sterility. Things are so clean. Walls are so white. Floors are spotless. I think I could eat off the counter in the Houston airport bathroom.
- In the airport everyone seems to be talking on their phones without actually talking into a phone. Those Bluetooth things are odd. On that note, those newfangled iPhones have seems to take over the cellphone market as well, and in the effort of time I am not going to get started on iPhones because I don’t like them and that’s not what this particular post is about…
- Hot water comes out of the tapppp!!!! Not enough words to describe the luxuriousness of this modern marvel. Especially given my next point…
- It’s f’-ing cold. I feel cold all the time, even in three layers. There is a small space heater that follows me every where I go in the house.
- America is more diverse than I remember. Walking around D.C. I saw lots of different skin colors and sometimes hear several languages being spoken. I haven’t really left my house here in Cincy yet, but I’m sure its more diverse here than I remember as well. Best part: I no longer get stared at for being taller/blonder/whiter than everyone else.
- For the first 48 hours back home I was instinctively saying gracias, disculpe, and por fa in most social situations. It’s like a reflex. My brother thought it was annoying. I’m still working on it.
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How did it get that long?
I straightened my hair for the first time in a while. IT IS SO LONG. Then I got a haircut for the first time in a year which was way overdue.
- American beer (and most imported beer) is so delicious and rich and heady and so much better than the watery Honduran crap we’ve been drinking. Although give me a month and I’ll want an Imperial and get all nostalgic about it.
- What exactly is the purpose of carpet? Other than to trip over and collect dirt? We should all just have tile floors that we can dump water on and mop and sweep all the dirt out the front door. It would be easier that way.
- 16 kinds of ketchup for sale at my local grocery store. NO ONE NEEDS THAT MUCH CHOICE.
- I was driving yesterday and I pulled up to a four-way stop and for several brief seconds I completely forgot what to do. But being able to drive myself around where ever I want whenever I want is so very liberating.
- TV is just crap these days and there are way too many channels.
That’s all for now.
There was a big drug bust in Taulabe Sat Jan 21st at 6am right across the highway from the ESSO station. 74 Kilos of coke under the floor boards of a truck. The owner of the truck said that he only owned the truck for 2 months and did not know about the coke being there. HAHAHAHA…….Townspeople are not that stupid. He lives in one of the best mansions and his kids drive a BMW sedan. There was a full page spread in La Prensa.