Originally I thought I wouldn't write a post while I'm abroad but since I've returned, I started seeing and noticing things that are different from when I'm living in Holland so I think I'll keep a list. Some of these difference seem like "duh" moments but I think it's important to think about when you're used to one thing (the US) then acclimate to another place (Holland) and then return to the original place (the US) those differences stick out even more! I think at some point this list will become less specific so bear with me :)
What I've noticed:
-I used to say that I miss overhearing peoples conversations when I'm out and about on the bus/train/shops etc. In Holland I barely know dutch so I really don't hear many conversations around me and thus I just tune them out. When I got back I thought I would like hearing my language but it turns out that most people talk about dumb and uninteresting things...and now I have to "hear" them because it's in english. Although I still miss hearing little kiddos talking about funny things and the occasion overheard awkward conversations.
-Customer service. Okay okay I know that it's known that American's are super nice and always checking in on you and in Europe they make it their business to serve you and then leave you be. On one hand I like the european way since you're not overly harassed but also I miss the american way because sometimes it's difficult to get the waiters attention if you need something and it's a nice feeling to connect with a person who's entirely in control of the food that goes into your mouth. But MAN when I first arrived back we ate dinner at the airport mexican restaurant while we waited for my sister to arrive and the waitress was driving me absolutely insane! It may be partially attributed to the fact that I was extremely sleep deprived but at that moment, I missed the european way. After 3 weeks, I overall miss the european style leave them alone idea. I was rushed out of a restaurant the other day and did not like that.
-I have to remember to tip again while I'm in the US...although I like good service, it's nice not having to consider tip as much while I'm abroad.
-In Holland the bathroom stalls usually have a door that you can shut like a regular bathroom. I'm guessing they enjoy their privacy. I've gotten used to it and I also like that privacy. Now that I'm back in the US I have to get used to having shitty stall doors that have a foot open below and inches on each side. Just different hah.
-This might sound a little silly and hopefully not rude to my international friends but I realized that sometimes I have a hard time finding my own words in english. In a way my english is degrading just slightly. That's a weird feeling. I also noticed that it was a little hard to get used to the speed of conversation with a bunch of natives again. It's not like everyone speaks really slowly in Utrecht but when you speak in your native tongue with other natives inherently the conversation speed increases.
-I miss riding my bike. The other day I, literally, spent 10 minutes driving my car around one of our local parking lots trying (with difficulty) to find a parking spot! It was insanity. It made me miss just parking your bike wherever you like. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy driving and the freedom to go to distant places on my own timetable but I do miss the loveliness of riding my bike everywhere.
-I don't miss using euros instead of dollars. Every time I use euros I see my money slipping away (poor exchange rates). I love that, generally speaking, shopping is cheaper here. I also admittedly like that I can shop more quickly because I'm familiar with all of the stores and products. It's also quite nice that everything is in english :P
-I went down to Santa Fe to do a little shopping before xmas and it was really amusing to me that even here in the US I don't just hear people speaking in english. In fact, the majority of passing conversations I heard were in spanish. Reminded me a bit of being back in Utrecht. In fact, I've been noticing that many signs are written in both english and spanish. Maybe it's always been like that and I've never minded but I found myself looking at the secondary provided text because typically english is the secondary text when I'm in NL.
-I really really really missed eating new mexican food. It's just something that I won't be able to find in the Netherlands and it does bum me out. I'm planning to bring much more back with me if I can manage it (i.e. green and red chile)!
-If there is anything that becomes repeatedly clear to me, it's that I am and always will be a mountain girl. I grew up in the mountains and I just love them. There is something so majestic about them that I can't always find when I'm at the beach or in the wide open fields. No offense NL but you just don't have that.
-Grocery stores. America does it big. This is definitely a cliche that we live up to. The single grocery store in my hometown is about 5-7 times bigger than any of the grocery stores I've walked into while living in the NL. On one hand, it's really nice because you have tons of options and you can find more unusual items that I typically haven't a clue where to look for them in NL. The opposing thought is that I get on just find if not better in a smaller store.
- Caveat: I've noticed that you learn about what a culture/group likes to eat a lot of by examining what they provide tons of options for. It's a wee bit more difficult to determine in the US but the dutch most definitely show it in the grocery stores.
- Bread. Not only are there many options but nearly all of it is always gone by 6pm daily. It's insanity how much bread they eat on a daily basis.
- Dairy products. There's so much and I don't even know what half of it is. It's all kinds of drinks that are yogurts, yogurts that are drinks, buttermilk beverages, milks etc. Dessert style yogurt etc. It's a lot!
- Mayonnaise. I pretty much loathe the stuff although there is something different about the type they have in NL. But they have a hilarious selection of different types. It's only laughable because that's normal in the US for allllll the condiments but really it's only focused in on mayo.
- Frying oil. Piggy backing on the mayo--fries combo, they love fried food. I think every dutch party I've been to have served fried food as munchies and all of it was actually fried in their own personal frier. That makes me smile. (*but how are you all still skinny?! bikes I guess)
- Sweets. This can apply to both US and NL but I still remark on it because the sweets are different to what I see on our shelves. I can't quite tell you what makes them different but they are. Frankly I'm not a huge sweets fan so I haven't dabbled to find out.
-One final note. Going back home has made it just a little harder to come back here. Don't get me wrong, I love living in Utrecht and I've met great people but it gave me this uncomfortable feeling of not knowing where I belong. The chapter of my life in Los Alamos has closed although I still have many valuable friends there and the chapter of my life in Utrecht has only just begun. Sometimes it's hard to find a place still. I know it will come with time and I look forward to that certainty but in a way this break may have been poorly timed with my adjustment to life here in Utrecht. BUT oh well!! I had a great time with friends and family in Los and I plan to continue having a great time in Utrecht. Take it as it comes.
