Things
I enjoyed about the U.S.
1. Comfort-comfortable furniture, comfortable carpet, comfortable
cars, comfortable people, comfortable food, comfortable hot drinks, the list
could go on....
2.
Walmart-We were in Walmart in my hometown,
and I actually shouted out "We are in America!" So many items so
easily accessible!
3.
Not sweating
4.
No fermented fish--No fermented fish scent in the
air, no fermented fish basking in the sun outside my house, no fermented fish
in my food, no fermented fish on my breath
5.
Clean feet--I hadn't had really clean feet for
over a year. I had clean feet EVERY DAY while in the U.S.
Things
I won't miss about the U.S.
1.
Crowds consuming--For some reason while in the U.S.,
I was not overwhelmed at my own consumption. I confess I sipped on my $3 lattes
without much guilt. However, when crowds of people were consuming, it
overwhelmed me. A crowded Starbucks, a crowded restaurant, and I found my
anxiety level increasing. I'm not sure why, but that's how I felt.
2.
Walmart-I know I said I enjoyed it, but I
also won't miss it. There's something refreshing about not having everything I
want and need at my fingertips.
3.
Babies R Us-My goal while in the U.S. was to
avoid Babies R Us. We managed to only pay one quick visit there and that was
more than enough (although our son looks pretty cute in the Bumbo seat we
bought! :). I have never read The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and I have only
seen the first movie, but as I gazed at the never-ending row of car seats, I
found myself feeling a bit like how the characters of the books feel about the
ring: knowing there was something evil about it and yet wanting all the car
seats all at the same time. My greed is still present in Cambodia; it's just a lot
easier to manage.
4.
U.S. Airports and Airlines--I have been
spoiled with Asian airline travel. Asian airline workers see you from a
distance with a small child in your arms and ask you to sit down while your
husband checks your bags. They re-route you so that you don't have to stand in
long security or customs lines. They give you priority boarding. You don't even
have to ask. U.S. airline workers stare through you and your little baby. If
you ask for special assistance, they have to check with their supervisor. As a
vulnerable person, in this case a person traveling with a small child, the
American ideal that all people are created equal kind of stinks. A small child
needs greater care than others do.
5.
Lack of sun--The sun may be hot here, but I
like it. I think Americans should be allowed shorter work hours during the
winter months. The sun makes it so much easier to function!
-Katy
