Reflections in the Airport

Its 1130 pm and im sitting in "The biggest delay to my life" The Los Angeles International Airport. I have such negativity to that place, and Los Angeles in general, and so I cant wait to peace out high 5 it to Brazil. But this waiting gives me reason to reflect on my time here in LA and the 'making new memories' of a place that held such disdain for me.

I ended up staying in Cali for a whole month which proved to be successful since i was able to make some money in SB at Trop. That place is amazing and has provided me such growth and learning as a professional, but personally as well. Although that chapter is closed, it is one that I look fondly on and still have such great friendships there.

I spent my time playing poker, going hiking, seeing old friends, walking on the beach, doing rounds of the building (forgot how much i hated those being an RA!), busing tables in the cafe, babysitting, and my all time favorite actvity, sleeping in!! I also spent my time traveling in between LA and SB spending time with Marissa, Chopper and Pamela, and sorting out problems with the Brazilian Consulate. My favorite day (note the sarcasam) was when I made the 2 hour drive to LA, spent 15 minutes picking up my passport with newly stamped visa, and immediatly drove the 2 hour trip back for work later that evening. I must say though I forgot that I enjoyed drving 80 miles an hour, weaving in and out of traffic. Hahaha. I'm kidding... Maybe.

I honestly thought though that while I was back in the states I would have taken time to blog about Bodia and Nam. All I ever ended up doing however was plotting the points on the map, i never made it back to type in entries. With only 3 weeks of travel in each of those places I never wrote on the road, telling myself i would make time in Cali. But life got in the way, so I will have to settle sharing those stories with you when I see you. I have my pictures and journal to spark the memories.

Coming back to the states was a rough transition as the hardest country to get into was my own. The lines were the longest, the immigration officers the rudest, and it was as if they didnt trust our motives for wanting to travel throughout asia just for the experience. It was not a nice welcome home. To be honest, the culture shock of coming home was much worse than when abroad. Yes, the jet lag was an obvious problem and it felt as if I had a hangover for 5 days, it hurt just to lay and watch tv; but what struck me the most was how unsafe i felt in my own country.

There was an ally way by Marissas house that I would cross through for a shortcut to a grocery store, and I felt anxious the entire time. I later would take the long way around. It occured to me though that every street I ever walked down in Asia was through an ally way, a broken road, an unlit path or a garbage strewn, smelly, noisy area,  and I felt completly safe and protected the entire time. There was something about being back in America. I just felt fear.

So, I stayed inside for pretty much the first week wishing I was back in the far east where, people were friendlier, kinder, more relaxed, but above all had their priorites 'right'. Their, and I obviously use that term in the most general, broad sense, but their day revolved around one to two tasks and spending time with their family. They weren't rushing everywhere. They weren't stressed (by the Western means of that word) and they seemed to get it 'right'. (Since I came back it has been hard not to judge my own culture) but I couldn't help but feel that they were just simply - content. Maybe my observations were just simply a comparison of how the wealth of a country affects its peoples daily tasks. But there was something 'better' about the way these people chose to live their lives.

But then again, maybe it wasn't their choice at all.

But then again, it did seem to be cultural and not just money related. Time was savored. Food was a chance for converstaion. The entire day (in some provinces) revolved around the making of the last meal for the evening. A time when the family could be together. To actually sit and talk. There wasn't a tv to be turned on or another task to go and do afterwards. That was it. The end of the day. And there was something beautiful in that.

I could go on and on with more comparisons about my time in Asia, like their portion sizes, how the junk food is what is priced so high, or how when I stepped foot into the states the first thing I noticed was how fat the Americans were. I suppose I could continue with more questioning on my part as to why it is the way that it is, and if a persons way of live is based on money, cultural influence, regional priorities, family obligations, or all of the above...but I will stop.

My one final thought though that I believe encompasses my time in Asia is 'I have learned to appreciate the rawness of a country, and am amazed at how much true beauty that rawness provides'.

Next Stop. Brazil.