Its been a really difficult few days for me here. Me being the frugal-never-spend-my-money-unless-its-necessary type of a girl doesn't exactly mesh well with the traveling-goingoutallthetime-european life style. I also have to buy a new camera and ipod, two essentials for a semester of travel in Europe. Because of all this worrying about spending my money, I've been incredibly stressed out. Possibly because of all this stress or as a side affect of being thrown into another world, I got a nasty stomach flu type thing today. So needless to say, I am homesick and missing the US an insane amount. Its funny the things that we don't even realize we have in the US until its lacking elsewhere. Heres what I miss the most:
1. The people I love back home, i.e. YOU!
2. Free water at restaurants
3. Stores being open at predicable hours
4. The freedom to do what I want, dress how I want, be who I want, without feeling like I'm offending an entire culture.
5. The sun (it rains ALL the time. I am considering going to a tanning salon just to get fake rays. Radical, I know!)
6. Accesibility to post offices, mailboxes, stamps
7. Simple black coffee
8. The idea that, the culture of the US is that there is NO culture whatsover. Its a wonderful idea... Anyone is welcome and can make a life. For example, Santiago is absolutely and totally inaccesible to people in wheel chairs. They simply would not be able to get around town because of all the stairs.
9. Concerts- Lawrence has such a wonderful music scene. I have yet to find one here.
10. American washers and dryers!
What I don't miss:
1. Drinking age
2. Having to drive everywhere
.... Lots more I'm sure. For now, that works.
Even though I'm stressed out, stomach sick and homesick, I am taking advice from my dad and looking at these tough times as times where I can grow the most. I may wish nothing more than to go home back to my comfort zone, but if I just power through and try and experience and adapt as much as I can here, I will be a stonger person for it.
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Katy! I'm sorry to hear about the unfortunate set of circumstances. I hope you have good luck adapting and recovering... I'm not sure if you got my other message, but Wilco is coming to Santiago in early June! Maybe that's an indication that there is a solid music scene lurking somewhere under the cobblestone of that quaint little town. Either way, best of luck with everything... Let me know if you've got skype or some other means of online chatting and we'll talk soon. Buena Suerte con todos!
ReplyDeleteP.S. "Frustration / Adaption / Growth" sounds like an excellent song/poem title. Perhaps it could serve to inspire some lyrical wizardry...
ReplyDeleteK Clag, you're quite a lady for powering through and facing all your sicknesses head on. Please drink lots of water and be well, k?
ReplyDeleteI think of you often and am sending you happy thoughts from chilly-but-sunny Lawrence.
all i can say, is that it gets easier. sometimes it seems like it never will. but you will start calling your new apt home in a few weeks. hang in there!
ReplyDeleteKaty Girl! I'm thinking about you and wish you the best in these times! I know what you mean about going out all the time and spending money...it's so different! I love you girly and look forward to our reuniting!
ReplyDeleteIt is so annoying to have to spend a lot of money on water everywhere you go! Katy, you should do whatever you need to do to make this experience easier for you, whether that means fake baking or splurging on simple comforts. You're doing great! The mood will pass if you just go with it.
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