After nearly two years in Europe, my pants are tailor cut, I’m shocked at the size of cars and parking lots, and American accents sound terribly mealymouthed. But when I open my mouth to speak, trust me, I sound just like you. Because, despite a bad command of Italian now and a preference for real espresso over anything at Charbucks, traveling abroad has only confirmed to me my red-blooded American-ness. But please don’t confuse that with flag-waving nationalism.

Returning to the States has upset me with my new perspective, and made other aspects (no place else on Earth is as wonderfully diverse) comfortable and welcoming. That’s what travel is supposed to go – give one new glasses to see both the exotic and the familiar in fresh light. That light can be a bit harsh and glaring at times. Like whenever I have to walk into a Walmart. But the same critical eye I had for corrupt Italian politics and quaint Swiss villages I’m turning back on the country I’m from.

The perspective of an outsider in my hometown is disconcerting and liberating. I feel terribly different than most, but, that’s ok, because my experiences abroad have made me a bit different. This just also serves to highlight the similarities though, where I’m deeply rooted to American culture: wide-open wild spaces, late-night diners, finding fresh edamame at the local grocery store, and fresh Moroccan couscous on the corner restaurant, and cheap live music in dim bars packed full.

So when you go abroad, expect to have your expectations turned upside down and be thrown for a cultural loop. Then come home, and be ready for it all over again. But if you get into the global twists, it’s a hell of a fun roller coast ride.

Upside down and in another country,
Jeff