I went to bed at the correct time on Monday night after I got back in town, slept 10 hours, and woke up the next morning feeling better than expected. My only complaint was this strange subtle headache. I literally felt like I had a hangover or something, but I had not touched a drop in a while. Is this normal? I mean, do people get headaches instead of just being tired? What a strange symptom of being jet lagged.
I got it together, and sent Nat off to his first final. I was nervous for him, but confident because he was more than ready for his test. I spent the rest of the afternoon doing some errands. I used my Groupon for Anytime Fitness and signed up for my three-month membership for $30. Besides catching up on four different seasons of television and going to the gym, I really did not do much during the couple of weeks Nat was taking his finals. I know I sound lazy, but traveling around the world in three months is not easy feat! I really enjoyed taking my time acclimating back to my life in the US. I would like to share my observations on reverse culture shock – what an individual experiences upon return to his/her country after an extended period of time.
My symptoms of Reverse Culture Shock include:
- Amazement at my ability to order free iced water in any restaurant I walk into
- Disappointment because I do not have tea or coffee 4-5 times a day
- Being expected to listen and understand every word of every sentence uttered by every person I interact with
- Realization that driving like a Ukrainian and not wearing a seat belt is no longer cool
- Loneliness derived from the fact that all of my best friends do not live under one roof in a hostel anymore
- Feelings of rejection when my American friends refuse my offering of tea or coffee when they come over
- Recognition that my short bangs are not high fashion anymore
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