Welcome back to the USofA
Culture shock anyone?
In Asia, too many people wanted to help me fix my computer, but I didn’t have enough time or the cost was outrageous.
Back in the U.S., no one wants to take responsibility for anything that might go wrong with trying to fix my computer and are quick to send me to someone else or just away (I guess they have enough customers already and don’t need any more). Finally, (fingers crossed) CompUSA is sending me a new adapter that should arrive within 10 days. All I had to do was call the right person. I wonder if they would have shipped to Sri Lanka?
I already miss the food. I tried to make string hoppers last night. They were o.k.
It wasn’t the same without the little crunchy things (papadam). I just spent enough at the grocery to have 20 meals at Coconut Grove. Grrr. Take me back to India.
It took me a day, but I think I’m used to the cold. It’s nice to be able to carry my backpack without dripping with sweat.
I know what you mean. As soon as we stepped on the United Airlines flight, people were rude. I don’t remember having a rude flight attendant before that on any of the foreign airlines. Then the customs guy in San Fran was rude. I really don’t recall any experiences like that until I got back to the states. People are so hurried and caught up in themselves here.
I don’t think I’ve gotten used to the temperature yet. It’s been in the mid 60s here so everyone else is breaking out the shorts and T shirts. I am still wearing jackets and pants. However, I have been wearing my sandals since I got back (partly because I left my other shoes there and partly because they’re easier to put on).
While I was in India, I missed rainy days but I do not now. Everything is so gray here. I miss the super concentrated sun of Sri Lanka and all the colors. I feel so cut off from the environment, so enclosed. You can’t even count the times per day we were outside over there, because even when you were inside, you were outside. Here I’m outside only going from my door to the car.
I have discovered the joy of the Indian grocery in town. I went there before I went to India, and I didn’t know what any of that stuff was. Now walking in and seeing all the food we ate over there is like looking at a photo album, if you know what I mean. I remember when we ate that and the people we were with, and that reminds me of other memories.
I went with Nihal in 2000, just hearing your energy brings me back. And oh boy… get back.. because your surroundings become you.