After a while back in the land of golden arches, strip malls, ginormous SUVs, I've got to confess- the American stereotype rings true.
Even at my first point of entry in Philly I knew I was back. If the casually dressed people taking up the entire seat and being spaced out like each were in a hamster ball sure did. And all the food options? The cafeteria like options gave way to the corporate logos promising grab and go options if sitting down for a rushed meal was too much time.
Even at my first point of entry in Philly I knew I was back. If the casually dressed people taking up the entire seat and being spaced out like each were in a hamster ball sure did. And all the food options? The cafeteria like options gave way to the corporate logos promising grab and go options if sitting down for a rushed meal was too much time.
And can we talk mega stores? Actually not even mega stores. Let's just talk grocery stores. After hitting one for lunch with coworkers this week, I finally decided to brave one on my own. Despite hunger gnawing in my stomach, I wanted to make sure that walked up and down each of those aisles to look at all the available markets. 27 varieties of Triscuits. Are you kidding me?
Walmart was overwhelming. I ducked in to get a SIM card and I was so overwhelmed that I had to snatch a bag of Take5s on my way in, pay for it and my other items in the electronics department then make a run for it. (I returned a few days later, still overwhelmed but managed to put a dent in my paycheck.)
What's a girl to do? I'm going to have to return to this way of life before too long. Will I be able to re-adjust or will I be able to acclimate back; reversing all I've picked up while living overseas? Will I continue my European habits while back in the states?
All I know is when the time comes to start job hunting (I swear I just did that) communities will be something I'm spending more time looking into. I want the walkable neighborhoods. I want to the few restaurants that I know the owner. I want the neighbors that check in with me and treats at the holidays are exchanged. I want the sense of community that often doesn't exist in the American way of thinking. Is this a sign I've been overseas too long?
Walmart was overwhelming. I ducked in to get a SIM card and I was so overwhelmed that I had to snatch a bag of Take5s on my way in, pay for it and my other items in the electronics department then make a run for it. (I returned a few days later, still overwhelmed but managed to put a dent in my paycheck.)
What's a girl to do? I'm going to have to return to this way of life before too long. Will I be able to re-adjust or will I be able to acclimate back; reversing all I've picked up while living overseas? Will I continue my European habits while back in the states?
All I know is when the time comes to start job hunting (I swear I just did that) communities will be something I'm spending more time looking into. I want the walkable neighborhoods. I want to the few restaurants that I know the owner. I want the neighbors that check in with me and treats at the holidays are exchanged. I want the sense of community that often doesn't exist in the American way of thinking. Is this a sign I've been overseas too long?
No comments:
Post a Comment