I will never get tired of hearing those beautiful words from the custom agent's mouth. You wait in line, disoriented from the time change, sick of that baby that was screaming in the back wing for the last four hours, and eagerly await your turn to reenter your country. Your home.
Unfortunately, my first week turned out to be less welcoming and more of a convalescent period. I got sick. I had a good forty-eight hours, involving a mini birthday pub crawl for a friend, a beach day, a second beach outing, karaoke, and then I got ridiculously ill. Like, crawling from bed to toilet, zombie-shuffle, delirium-ill. I'm not sure what kind of flu strain I had but it was only made better after I got antibiotics. All the RiteAid bought flu syrup in the world couldn't compete with the thirty minutes after popping my first dose of antibiotics. Thank you God for science.
So now that the first week has FLOWN by (ie: spent entirely in bed, watching tv, making mental movies of dreams/story ideas) I'm on my way to Sacramento for a quick pit stop before flying to Texas. Whaaaaaat? We're spending four days in the boons of the great Lone Star state and I can only imagine the shenanigans and barbecue awaiting me.
Culture shock: (This list is for sure gonna get a whole lot longer after Texas)
1. Starbucks! I never get tired of seeing it, but every time I come back it strikes me how many people CAMP. OUT. in Starbucks here. You bring your computer, a blanket, buy a coffee every so often and now that internet is offered in most locations, no one ever leaves. I missed seeing that in Paris, where people would purchase their expensive, shitty-tasting coffee, enjoy their beverage, then leave, sans to-go cup.
2. Americans are friendly. Like, suuuuper gregarious, even among strangers. I was in a Trader Joe's recently and just marveled at what a great exchange the cashier had with my friend. Because that's her job. To be friendly and make coming to TJ's an enjoyable experience. I mean, I guess there are down sides to that because if you're having a bad day and you don't want to be friendly to so-and-so-shopper, that's annoying. But from a customer service perspective, I LOVE IT. No more blasé French checkouts! PEPPY, EXCITED AMERICANS EVERYWHERE!
3. No walking? Like...ever? I mean, that's not true. I walked to a bar down the street last night with friends, but you can be sure they were like, wait, we're still walking? How far is this place?? (It was a 10-15 minute walk.) Nobody walks here! Especially not in LA but in general, driving is the way to be here in the USA. I mean, we know this, I knew this, but it still smacks me in the face when I realize I haven't walked anywhere in days since my return. Strange after literally being unable to pass a day without at least making a trip to buy groceries on foot.
4. Air conditioning. The French don't have air conditioning unless you're in the South of France from what I hear, or in a supermarket, because it's cold half the year and doesn't make sense economically/financially. Being in my sister's house with the A/C on blast because it's 100 degrees outside makes beautiful, frigid, relaxing sense. AMERICUH!
5. Beer pong!!! People know the rules here!
6. Happy Hour. America, a place where you can get drunk for cheap. (And not just on wine) Certain hours excluded.
Okay, more to add later as my latest round of culture shock becomes apparent to me. Now that I'm finally up off my deathbed, a week later I finally feel welcome and at home. <3
