It’s funny how much things change while you’re gone. It’s been five years and this is my third trip home, but life here seems stranger than ever. I was at Shopper’s today trying to buy shampoo and was absolutely overwhelmed by the size, variety and cost of everything. Bottled water was even more mind-boggling. Everything was flavored. There didn’t seem to be anything normal on the shelves. In the end, I left without making any purchases. I need to give myself some time to adjust, and not just to the variety of goods available in Canada and the States.
I’m finding it hard to adjust to the wide-open spaces. I first noticed it when flying into LA. My nose was glued to the window and I found myself oo-ing and ah-ing over the front lawns, back yards and swimming pools. Once we hit Iowa, I was counting the minutes between houses. Looking out over the freshly turned fields and endless blue skies is a luxury I haven’t had in years. It made me feel very small and insignificant.
There are no towering heights to get used to in Minneapolis and Ottawa. Just as there are no cars and scooters. The endless dazzle of Taiwan’s lights have dimmed in memory and I miss it immensely. The black city streets seem cold and inhospitable compared to the lively neon signs that make Taipei come alive each and every night.
It’s so expensive here. I had to renew my driver’s licence and almost fainted when they told me it was $75! It’s a wonder anyone drives here at all. Gas prices are ridulous. If winters weren’t so harsh, it would be fun to see my folks on scooters.
What’s really driving me nuts is my Dad’s computer. He’s on DIAL-UP. There’s just no excuses. How does he get anything done on the computer? I’m writing on a bohemoth of a laptop. It’s a wonder it still works. I won’t be doing much blogging or emailing here and have already let my friends know that I will be stopping by for a chat and some computer time. I uploaded some of my pictures to Flickr, but there really wasn’t any point as it takes ages to download anything. Grrr…
Still, it’s good to be home. I’ve spent the last three days at home. I haven’t phoned anyone or made any calls. I call this my decompression time. I need it to adjust. I just want to spend time with my family and soak things up again….slowly.
You have made it home Carrie! Soak it up and enjoy every moment!
I’ve noticed this a lot more in the past few years.
Ten years ago I could leave the country for a year or two and come back home to the exact same scene and vibe. Now, I leave for six months and come back to a completely different world.
Another sign of the times I guess…
Those of us in North America seem to want to have everything but have problems making choices. And we take our personal space to extremes. It is amazing what we get used to. And I think you will have to upgrade your dad’s internet service and maybe his computer while you are home. Maybe he will use it more.
Miss you a whole bunch Carrie! Thinking of you and wishing you all the best with your family.
I think Montreal probably changes more slowly than Vancouver or Toronto. I went away for two years. Montreal seems exactly the same. But Taiwan is way more conservative in many ways. I was shocked by how vibrant and crazy people were in Montreal in January. I am going back there to study for a couple of years next month.
You’re not entirely right about prices. There are a number of thing in Canada that are cheaper, which I miss about Canada. Many things, foodwise are cheaper. Cooking at home is cheaper in Canada. In Taiwan it’s cheaper to eat out than to eat at home. Wifi internet is cheaper in Canada. In Taiwan you have to pay for it. In Toronto and Montreal it is completely free in most places. Just go to a cafe, sit down, and turn on your computer!
But yeah, travel and rent is cheaper in Canada. As is the shampoo you mention. I actually miss the variety of products. Before I found there were a dearth of interesting foreigners. But the past week, ironically one-and-a-half months before leaving Taiwan, I met a number of them, including Michael and Jim, who are fellow bloggers. Now I’m going to really miss Taiwan even more than I would have before, because previous to the past week-and-a-half, I didn’t have enough of a sense of community.
Flavoured water actually scares me. Don’t people just want water to taste like… (gasp) water???
I hope you are able to soak up… maybe “repel” might be a better word… all the culture shock of our greedy western world. it is a little ridiculous. too much. too many… it’s hard to not feel overwhelmed in Shopper’s Drug Mart… What about Costco? It takes me hours to choose one simple product… and at the end of it all i think.. it’s all just soap, isn’t it?
Breathe…. simplify… watch Buffy… Ah.. that’s better! When “home” doesn’t feel like “home” I always put on a little Buffy. It makes me feel safe. Thinking about vampires and soul-sucking demons makes you feel “safe”?? I’m a bit strange.
wow… i’m all over the place today! Must be the huge chocolate shake I just had… went to my head. Too much sugar!
XXXs from Canada.
Carrie, I found your website through Wes’ comment on FB. (It’s Friday afternoon and I’m in surf mode until it’s time to leave.)
I had to comment on this post – reading it made me remember those feelings so clearly – how overwhelming home can become when you’re living abroad.
Some people think that if we’re abroad for too long we can’t move home. It can be a scary thought but I completely understand it.
Thanks for the reading!!
Lisa,
I waited a week and hooked up with my best buddy Drew. We waitied few a few hours before busting out Buffy and then spent our entire Sunday on the couch absorbing all the Buffy goodness. I thought of you my dear, and hope that we get the same chance some day. Being home is great, but I’m leaving in two weeks and that’s always a sobering experience. It’s so hard to say good-bye! That’s why I’m so thankful to have friends like you who keep my thoughts on home as well. As you remember, the first time I visited your blog, you had some amazing pictures of our flag and some scenic shots that just filled me with delight. Thanks for everything Lisa!