It's been too long since my last post. While I was in China, all the social media outlets were blocked so I have a lot saved up. I plan to release day-by-day updates on the China trip which was also amazing but today I wanted to reflect on readjusting to life back home and the reverse culture shock.
After I left Bacolod, I spent a day in Manila - actually Makati City - before my flight to China. The culture shock began immediately as I walked around the area surrounding my hotel. Yes there was still all the Jeepneys, crazy driving patterns, and Filipino food but something felt quite different. There were giants shopping malls filled with ex-pats from North America and Europe and all the familar brands from back home. Jaydip and I shared one last beer together at Bubba Gumps of all places.
Getting back to North Carolina was another adjustment. Yes I love being back with my family, having drinkable water out of the tap, having reliable power, traffic laws that are enforced, and a fast internet connection. It's great to kick back to watch TV (even if it is children's cartoons) and I love being back in my kitchen cooking again. It feels weird to have to drive everywhere after all the walking we did over the past month. The southern accent is throwing me for a serious loop after 6 weeks of Filipino, Finnish, Russian, Spanish, Brazilian, Belgian, Indian, Chinese, British, and Australian accents. It's also difficult to get back to the land of the 'super-size' whether it's the food, cars, or anything else. Americans are seriously overweight - particularly in the south! Of course I say this as we are all getting ready to pigout for Thanksgiving later this week. :)
Life at work seems to be business as usual. I gave me first post experience CSC briefing to my team today. They were quite impressed but completely grossed out by the Baloot!
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