Well, ya'll, I'm back. I've been back for about 3 weeks now and have been decidedly reclusive, not entirely to my own liking or choosing, but it's worked out for some nice 1:1 time with the b/f. So far while back in the States, I've been to a funeral, eaten at a Whataburger, gone to Destin and escaped a possible hurricane, and had only ONE mochasippi from CC's (showing some will power, there). I've been able to see almost all of my family, at least on my dad's side, but only one friend, b/c he happens to live in Baton Rouge where I've been staying. The next week is starting week for LSU classes, so I'm playing it low-key before heading back to NOLA to embrace all the sweet southern American faces I've been missing for over 6 months in Spain.
I have to mention how particularly odd and (sorry) depressing it's been, just being back after so long. The days seem so much shorter here, and the lifestyle so much less enjoyable, and I'm struggling all the while to prevent from making the endless comparisons so many American travelers make when returning from abroad. I do miss the tapas, and I do miss the cheap Rioja and just the overwhelming feeling of humility to be in the place that I'm in. I miss the friends I made there, but I also miss the ones I left behind. I'm making a point of putting Spain aside for now so that I'm not distracted while I catch up on all that I've missed.
Here are some photos I've taken so far. They kind of capture for me what it's been like, seeing my country with new eyes.
interesting juxtaposition of 2 American icons
my grandmother's funeral
on top of the Shaw Center, cocktails at sunset
my nephew has grown
yummy margarita, beachside in Destin
