Sweet things. Asians do not have a sweet tooth. To them, watermelon is a perfectly good dessert. As a lover of sugary and sweet things, this is one of the rare cons on my list about Asia.
The English language. I'll miss English the same way I miss ASL if I haven't used it in a long time. Even if I'm going to be with other English speakers in my program, it goes further than that. There are many things that are in English that we take for granted. Doors that have "push" and "pull" signs are now unintelligible to me. Advertisements for a new restaurant special or sales at stores will now go over my head. I will probably spend more energy and time trying to figure out what something says, only to find out it's something I would normally ignore anyway.
America's diversity. In the past, when I've come back from a trip to a homogeneous country, I've found myself completely shocked at the diversity of America. To be fair, China is a pretty diverse country, with more than 50 different ethnicities, but I feel like it'll be nothing like America.
Mexican Food. I've had no less than 50 burritos this summer and while dumplings are pretty much the same concept, they won't live up to burritos.
I wish you could hear the conversation I had yesterday about things I miss in America. NO LIE: chocolate ice cream, speaking English and Mexican food. SWEAR TO GOD. In fact we sought out one of very few Mexican restaurants in Cairo TODAY so I could find some solace. It was meh. But I love this post. You are already dead on with what you will miss!
ReplyDeleteP.S. - Since I am following you you you better be following me!!!
Sorry I could not leave this post without mentioning another thing you will miss: American grocery stores/ingredients. I have tried to make chocolate chip cookies (the most basic of basic american recipes) here three freaking times and failed at each attempt!!! all due to shotty egyptian ingredients. plus every time i go grocery shopping i have to go to no less than 2 separate markets: 1 for meat and cheese, one for produce and one for everything else. pain. in. the. ass. (ok, it was cool at first but im over it...)
ReplyDeleteAhem, Matthew, I don't suppose you will miss your family, every one of us, no? Can tell you we will!
ReplyDelete