So I've been back stateside for over a week and I haven't felt a single pang of culture shock. There's really been nothing to re-acclimate to. Maybe it's because my mind's been on this side of the Atlantic Ocean for a good long time. Maybe it's just because America's awesome and nobody should ever leave it. Dunno.
But here's the thing: would I have ever noticed the awesome things about living in this country (and Boston, to a certain extent) if I hadn't left? I doubt I'd be so amazed by complete strangers striking up a conversation on public transportation, by listening to hip-hop on the radio, by the American-ness (according to Dahl) of using wi-fi on a bus, by the lack of smokers (and, on a related note, the easiness of breathing after a late night), by just how critical linguistic familiarity is to grocery shopping/exercise classes/living...these little things, that I downplayed or never even noticed before I went away, just fill me with this inexplicable joy. I feel what I imagine many immigrants must feel--this utter gratefulness for what the United States can offer and an almost adamant insistence that I, and every other person on the earth, deserves every little wonderful bit of this. HGTV for everyone! Huzzah!
I think a lot of this is also due to Boston. As we passed Hopkinton, I saw the skyline on the horizon and felt like I was home again. Whether I'm walking down Newbury or biking late at night back from someone's sublet, I honestly can't imagine ever having wanted to leave. Although that OH MY GOD GET ME OUT OF HERE AND AWAY FROM THESE CRAZY PEOPLE feeling was kind of overtaking my life by the beginning of December. Life here is excellent (and I've been pleasantly surprised with more-than-adequate employment).
Oh, and they put in bike lanes on Comm. Ave. I officially have NO reason to return to the Netherlands.
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