Palm trees and sunshine
Happy people, tall people, diverse people, seafood, mexican food, coffee, the mall, pretention, modern convienences, clean streets, the OCEAN, a brilliant sunset, clean air, real gelato, mimosa, warmth, familiarity, old friends, family. Things I didn't realize I missed.
I don't get blatantly stared at wherever I go. I can assume there will be toilet paper and a sink in every bathroom (that is also western!), no smog, no spitting, no smokers, no "exotic" smells at every corner, no seething masses of humanity at every busy street. It's all a little...bland. And superficial. Some people look incredibly fake...so much makeup! So many fake tans! I know that this is my world, this is my "real world," but something still doesn't feel quite right, or even real. It's all a little bit too "Desperate Housewives" ish around here. Ironically enough, I've really missed that show lol.
Everything familiar still has a certain novelty about it. I'm feeling a little more back to "normal" (whatever that is) though, thanks to seeing old friends and revisiting favorite places. Why is it that I can hit the ground running when I go abroad but returning home takes so much time for readjustment? lol I'm still confused with my American phone, I wonder how the weather can be so warm, I marvel at how convienent everything is, I almost always bring tissue with me to the bathroom, I stare in wonder at distinctly "American" people, I was overwhelmed at first sight of the ocean. I feel a bit odd, but it's getting better. Eventually it all may just seem like a dream. Hopefully it won't be like that...I want to remember it all, and take the experiences it gave me wherever I go. I just have to figure out a good way to include my old life into my new one.