Post trip – 20 days

20 days home already. The progression of time for myself as a traveler has been incredibly weird. Sometimes being back in the States I feel like I’ve never left at all, other times I feel like I disappeared off the planet for years and am now just returning.

Adjustment back to US life didn’t take much effort, I apparently hadn’t forgotten. The lasting impressions I’ve noticed are habitually removing my shoes at dwellings and seasoning my food like crazy (everything here tastes…bland).

I’m feeling good but nowhere near the feeling I had when travelling. I feel myself slipping back into old habits that I’m not fond of. In general, I just feel like I need to get back on the road, keep moving. Will get my wish mid-June and head up the coast to San Francisco.

Observations:

• Unbelievably clean public spaces (beaches, parks, streets)
• Predictable and orderly traffic. Riding here has been…interesting; I’m still in “every man for themselves” mode. Easier now to do things I shouldn’t (weave lanes, run reds, etc)
• OMG EXPENSIVE. Going from a $1 meal to a $10 meal is a bit of a shock
• Rules exist; interesting concept. Best example: walking through Westwood to catch a bus, sidewalk is closed on my side but I pay no heed and walk past in the street. Black and white pulls up behind me, honks aggressively a few times (thanks), then pulls along side to roll her window and reprimand me for disobeying the closed sign. Threats of citation exit her lips towards my confused face before I can even stammer some lame apology. Thanked her for her “valuable time” and hoped sincerely the sarcasm had not escaped her.

23.May.09 Uncategorized