May
17
2006

Randomness

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 11:20:51 pm (Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 06:20:51 am MST)
(Posted Under: Travel)
Some random comments about the trip thus far.

One thing that has really stood out thus far is that I have to keep reminding myself that I am halfway across the world. It really doesn't feel like it this time around. Last year it stood out like a sore tooth. "Oh my god, I'm in Tempe Arizona!" was such an overused thought running through my head constantly. And I guess it was slightly less so than my first trip to America, but certainly there was no forgotting that I was in the US of A. This time around, and of course it is exciting, and I have my moments, but it's a lot different. It's not foreign, I know it. It's what I do. It was even true of the flight, "it's just what I do". And I think that was a godsent in LA actually, given the somewhat stressfullness of making it to the flight to Phoenix. I knew exactly what we had to do, and where we had to go, and was really not a huge deal in that regard. And I think that made it a lot more palitable for Catherine, just being able to follow my lead and not have to worry about anything.

The same thing was true of touching down in Sky Habour in Phoenix, and the drive out to Tempe. It's like home. Rather than Katie being tour guide, I was pointing out things like A mountain, ASU etc. etc. The accents don't phase me anymore. Last year I got used to them, but initially they really stood out. The driving on the wrong side of the road, the different cars, all the small differences (and there are many) just aren't that notible to me this time around. Certainly in the past it's been more intimidating (in a fine way, just conscious that you're in a foriegn place), but I really don't get this that time around. I feel so much less relient on Katie, less worried that I'll ask for a Coke and get a cake [wink] (or rather, a strange look). It's a cool thing. And more to the point, fitting. The feeling of things being really foriegn and somewhat intimating is really cool and exciting, and I really would not give up it being that way last year. And to whatever extent - I prefer it - or something. But certainly I feel that it's really cool that I feel this way this time around, and feeling more at ease and independant is awesome. And is fitting for this time around, given that Katie is working a lot more this time around.

I even noticed this at Last Exit on Saturday night. Last year it was just amazing, and unbelievable to be standing at Last Exit. This time around, it immediately felt just like my local hangout. It's really cool. [smile]

In addition to that, it doesn't seem like I've been away for 13 months. God, they were a painfully long 13 months, but once hitting town again, it kinda felt like I'd never left. Standing at Last Exit, it seemed like it was only yesterday that I was there! It's really felt just like coming home, rather than travelling halfway across the world.

It probably makes life easier for both Katie and Catherine, Katie not having to be the absolute tour guide, and Catherine having someone who knows the town reasonably well when Katie isn't around.

In anycase, a really cool and notible thing. [smile]

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