Today marks a year to the day that I started my travels around Asia and the Pacific. As I reflect back on all the things I've seen and done and the people I've met, I can't help but be happy and so incredibly grateful for all the wonderful opportunities I've had in life. It would be impossible to recount them all here. Instead, I thought I'd touch on what it's like to be back "home" from travels. "Home" is in quotes because I'm not sure a gypsy soul like mine ever has one geographic location that they consider home. It's more a state of mind and feeling in your heart of being happy wherever you go. Okay, enough hippy talk.
Ask anyone who has ever traveled abroad from their homeland, and they will tell you how they were not only impacted by things overseas, but continue to see things differently when back to their native land as well. As a cultural studies nerd, I am constantly analyzing cultural aspects and here are some of the things I've reflected upon since returning to the U.S.
1. It's nice to be in a place where I know the accumulated cultural knowledge and nuances not explained anywhere in guide books, that can only come from living in the culture. I like knowing that when I go somewhere I know whether they will have a bathroom, water, parking, how much stuff should cost, etc.
EXAMPLES: I was driving down the road the other day and I saw kids sitting at a table on a street corner. I knew that was a lemonade stand, and with that, I knew what to expect: Kids selling lemonade for a few cents. The next day, I saw a house with tons of furniture, clothes, and stuff in the yard: I knew it was a garage sale and I knew what that entailed--I knew I shouldn't pay more than a few dollars for anything and that it was okay to bargain in that setting, that I would need to have cash only, that there would not be anything else "in the back."
2. I like being able to get in my car and go anywhere and leave anywhere at any time I want. I can plan my day and be reliant on my own time frame.
3. I like being back in a place where I have "cultural capital"(refers to non-financial social assets that promote social mobility beyond economic means. Examples can include education, intellect, style of speech, dress, and even physical appearance, et cetera.) I like having a network of family and friends to share things with. If I need to borrow something, I can call on them, etc.
4. I like knowing WHEN there's a public holiday and WHAT that means: i.e. banks, stores, etc. will be closed or have sales, or close early, etc.
5. I LOVE being around family and friends!
If you wanna read more about my travels, check out my travel blog at:
http://www.offexploring.com/danikehm12
Ask anyone who has ever traveled abroad from their homeland, and they will tell you how they were not only impacted by things overseas, but continue to see things differently when back to their native land as well. As a cultural studies nerd, I am constantly analyzing cultural aspects and here are some of the things I've reflected upon since returning to the U.S.
1. It's nice to be in a place where I know the accumulated cultural knowledge and nuances not explained anywhere in guide books, that can only come from living in the culture. I like knowing that when I go somewhere I know whether they will have a bathroom, water, parking, how much stuff should cost, etc.
EXAMPLES: I was driving down the road the other day and I saw kids sitting at a table on a street corner. I knew that was a lemonade stand, and with that, I knew what to expect: Kids selling lemonade for a few cents. The next day, I saw a house with tons of furniture, clothes, and stuff in the yard: I knew it was a garage sale and I knew what that entailed--I knew I shouldn't pay more than a few dollars for anything and that it was okay to bargain in that setting, that I would need to have cash only, that there would not be anything else "in the back."
2. I like being able to get in my car and go anywhere and leave anywhere at any time I want. I can plan my day and be reliant on my own time frame.
3. I like being back in a place where I have "cultural capital"(refers to non-financial social assets that promote social mobility beyond economic means. Examples can include education, intellect, style of speech, dress, and even physical appearance, et cetera.) I like having a network of family and friends to share things with. If I need to borrow something, I can call on them, etc.
4. I like knowing WHEN there's a public holiday and WHAT that means: i.e. banks, stores, etc. will be closed or have sales, or close early, etc.
5. I LOVE being around family and friends!
If you wanna read more about my travels, check out my travel blog at:
http://www.offexploring.com/danikehm12
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