We have arrived at another new destination. As this last year has taught us, each new landfall provides us the opportunity for unique adventures and interaction with the locals. Taking in all the "strangeness" of the new landfall if you will. Actually this land is not new to us. We have made landfall here before. Even still, the "strangeness" of this land has become more apparent to us upon this latest visit.
Where are we? What far off land have we landed on? None other than the USA. Yep, that is right. We are back stateside to attend to some business and visit family/friends during hurricane season. And while we have been here before, we have never been here from this perspective. It is truly an odd sensation. It feels like a foreign land in many respects. The pace is very fast. The language, while English American, is somewhat un-recognizable to us "Did you see the funny new whatever commercial/episode/movie?" "Do you have a Fitbit yet?" "Do you think whatever college/pro team has a shot this year?" ???????
As the weeks progress, it is becoming obvious that we strangers here. We just don't fit in. Oh we could if we really had to or wanted to, but at this point, we don't want to. It's sort of a been there, done that, have the t-shirt to show for it AND battle scars (of stress and modern American life). *Man, did we literally have the t-shirts too - when we left I gave away no less than 150 + t-shirts so trust me when I say we had the t-shirt! How two people can accumulate that many t-shirts is astounding to me!
But I digress. I don't mean "been there, done that" in a bad way. We have just moved into another phase of life at this point. Since we are only here temporarily, we are ok playing the visitor roll. Like all of our other adventures, we are taking it all in - the good, bad and strangeness.
But I digress. I don't mean "been there, done that" in a bad way. We have just moved into another phase of life at this point. Since we are only here temporarily, we are ok playing the visitor roll. Like all of our other adventures, we are taking it all in - the good, bad and strangeness.
Good post! I figured you'd experience some degree of reverse culture shock. Seems it's pretty inevitable for anyone who has spent more than a short period of time outside the US. We certainly experienced it as well....
ReplyDeleteThat is the term I was missing - reverse culture shock.
DeleteIts so weird to realize that the US hasn't changed at all ... its just YOU who have changed! Shopping malls, grocery stores, TV infomercials -- all of these become completely incomprehensible. (and ultimately you may decide that's a good thing) ;)
ReplyDeleteJaye - really good point. We are the ones that have changed. We are seeing things through different eyes.
DeleteAhhhh - I have a buddy now that experiences the reverse culture shock too! Strange right???
ReplyDeleteAre you guys in KC ? We are too and will be here until 8/17. We should get together and tell stories. Let me know if that is possible.
ReplyDelete