Home Again... Reverse Culture Shock

After a very long flight... 13 hours in the sky... I successfully made it back to the good old SLC. I have to say... I had some serious culture shock... first of all.. the customer service on the airplane was incredible... I love Delta Airlines... the food was SO salty... I forgot how salty our food is... I had these little floaty things that were cold in my drink... I think its called ice or something. And it stayed in my cup after I had drank all my water and made MORE water for later.... so strange...then when I got to Atlanta I saw 3 severely obese people. Hadn't seen one of those in ages! I have to say the most overwhelming thing was being able to understand what everyone was saying... I am used to the melodical Italian background noise... its almost like music in the background... you have no idea really what the full extent of an Italian conversation is so you are very alone with your thoughts and with a quiet mind. But then I understand what everyone is saying... I found myself following along with their stories... and 20 people were talking at the same time so it was like 10 different stories to follow and different emotions... I felt so overwhelmed! It was tiring. I need to learn how to tune people out again! And Americans are advertising freaks... the are capitalists to the extreme... that was also shocking to come home to. Its amazing what you forget while you are away for a little while.
My mom picked me up at the airport. I saw her when I was coming down the escalator! I got so excited! She was smiling and sooo happy I was home. When I flew into Salt Lake City, I couldn't believe how beautiful it looked... The Rocky Mountains.. and the valley is so green.. blue skies... I could see my neighborhood when I was flying in. The weather is so nice here... Then I saw Craig, my other Dad, and that was so good. I gave him the biggest hug ever... then we got home and stayed up talking about stories and happenings for hours...
I am still on Italian time. Its hard for me to go to sleep at night... I fall asleep around 1 am.. but then I am wide awake at 6 am.. which is so bizarre because I am soo not a morning person.. I like to sleep in ok. But its impossible to go back to bed... at 6 am here it is like 2 pm in Italy.
Its nice not having to read military time as well.. haha
The next day I went to Heber with my mom to surprise my Grandma Marcia. It was so funny. We went to her house and my mom went and met her while I hid in the car. Then I snuck up behind her and surprised her. She had to look at me 4 times before she realized I was really there. She kept saying she was sooo glad I was home. Then we went to lunch, then to the bank where I saw my old boss Jeannine that I love so much, and Megan and Elisa... it was fun to talk about Europe with them and see them all. Then I got my cell phone turned back on... it is so hard to text on my phone because I am used to my Euro phone... but once it got turned on it never stopped ringing.
I got my car.... that was a trip... I havent been in a car for months.. let alone drivin one... so to have my ipod blaring my favorite music... speeding down the highway, shifting gears, passing cars, Cottonwood Canyon was so green and beautiful, Jordanelle Reseviour was lovely... I want to go sailing!
Then later I went to Brandon's house in the avenues where I used to live (we used to be neighbors) and the aves were so green.. trees like a canopy on the road... SLC hippies out walkin their dogs... it was sooo good... and I walk into Brandon's house and get the biggest bear hug ever! And I got to see Brady... there were lots of people there... got a little pre game in before the free concert at Gallivan Center... which was packed... and the music was awesome.. it was the band that sings "Everywhere I go...... theres always something to remind me... of another place in time..... doo doo do do do do do do do dooooooooo" you know that song? I love that song...
I saw almost all of my really good friends.... Lora and Bowen! Brandon... Theresa, Brady, Matt... now I just need to see Lathan, Jacey and Chris, Jeff, Jesse, Colleen and Hayden, Delaney (if she wasnt so far away!) Mark, etc etc etc.... I cant wait to see the rest of them... Then after the concert we went to MOCA SALSA... best cheap Mexican ever in the world... I missed that when I was in Italy. It was a fantastic second night home!
Today I am going to Lora's to lay by her pool with Bowen, Brandon, Matt.... should be fantastic... and today is Bowen's birthday! I am thinking I will cook him an authentic Italian feast.