Initial Reactions to Returning to the Developed World

March 10th, 2008

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Vancouver

9 Comments »

Initial Reactions to Returning to the Developed World

After a year away.

There are so many cars. This has been my overwhelming first reaction.
Our commerce gets so bizarre, so fast. Riding the Airporter in from YVR, I passed a 7-11. There was a big banner hanging above the front door. I can’t remember the exact phrase, but it read something like “Cheesetastic Big Bite Hot Dogs!”. I found that troubling.
Trees! Yay!
Man, it’s really dark for 3:00pm in the afternoon.
Rain! Yay!
I’ve been hopelessly converted to a cash-only consumer. Credit cards were pretty much useless in Malta and Morocco.
I can drink the tap water! Yay!

And now the jet lag cometh.

Tags: Canucks, first-world, jet-lag, weird, yvr

Comments: 9 Responses so far

heather
March 10th, 2008
5:34 pm

welcome home, db. =)

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Jeff
March 10th, 2008
7:14 pm

Welcome back to Canada.

In Van there are about 500 new condo towers + one convention center that have sprung up in your absence (and uh, one less Starbucks…).

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turf
March 10th, 2008
7:32 pm

I miss the travels and NOT the lag. Living in north america has its drawbacks when returning after visiting and PARTICIPATING in the rest of the world. Easy on the coffee….

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Patricia
March 10th, 2008
7:32 pm

Also, one less Taco del Mar ….

(did you follow the vancouver news in Malta)?

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Erika Rathje
March 10th, 2008
9:58 pm

Welcome home!

I can just imagine you doing the famous Gene Kelly Singin’ in the Rain scene. Except for maybe the flips…

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Adriana
March 10th, 2008
11:06 pm

It’s jarring isn’t it? I got back just in time for Christmas ramp-up from a trip that included portions of the Colombian Amazon….I’ve never felt so *not* in the mood for going shopping. Still don’t. It’s very hard to explain to others.

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mark
March 11th, 2008
3:47 am

I lived in the Arctic for a couple of years. The first year I was above the tree line and was happy just to see grass again, so I know what you mean.

Welcome, home.

I think if I had a choice again I would choose to live credit card free, it is such a hassle.

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`jhawke
March 11th, 2008
5:21 am

cool!

37 days until i get to experience the same commercial-culture shock. although i’m going to rural Saskatchewan, so i guess it won’t really be the same… hah.

i really miss sidewalks. and street lights.

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