Talk about culture shock.
For 8 months in Europe, I never needed to drive. I took trains, buses, and coaches across the continent, and I loved not needing a car. Flash to 3 weeks ago, when I arrived back in the US. There is no public transportation in the South, and I've probably averaged driving 50 miles a day getting across the sprawl.
Europe: I could walk into any store, buy a bottle of wine, and walk out without needing an ID or a brown bag to hide it in. After buying said alcohol, I could walk to a park or get on a boat and openly drink with friends, and nobody passing would even bat an eye. US: Alcohol has a pretty bad rep, and drinking when you're under 21? Criminal. Drinking outdoors? Only on very special occasions, where there are plenty of police patrolling to keep the rowdies under control.
Despite priding itself on being freedom-loving, the US has some pretty serious hangups involving things I perceive as "personal freedoms" that Europe doesn't. Whereas Europe is open and free with alcohol, PDA, and body image, Americans have a confused and at times repressed relationship with drinking, sex, and skinny people.
I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, I'm fairly European in my behaviors, consumption patterns, and appearance. On the other hand, Europe doesn't want me. The US may be the only place in the world I'm allowed to call home for the moment; I can't even go live in Canada without some serious visa paperwork! Going through customs in Philadelphia was a bittersweet moment: the man behind the desk welcomed me back to the States, and I couldn't help but feel a little sad, knowing that I'd feel a little out of place but with nowhere else to belong.
Fortunately, it's not nearly so dire as I paint it. There is a sunny side, and that sunny side is Americans. I may not be a fan of American consumerism, the valuing money over all else, a culture of disposability, sexual repression, confused body image, and dependence on cars, but the people are the best I've met anywhere. They're welcoming and kind, friendly and willing to chat with and befriend strangers. I've felt so energized since being back, and it's largely due to the people I've been able to surround myself with for the past few weeks. Southerners are great, and despite the negative points about being back in the US, I'm happy to try to add a drawl to my speech to fit into my new niche.
