-Jakob
I’m finally back in the US. Well I haven’t experienced reversed culture shock yet, but I have noticed a lot of little things that are different. People complain about construction here but not in Doha. My Toyota Yaris handles a thousand times better than the Chevy Optra. Alex (my bro) is taller and his voice is changing. My parents got new glasses in the kitchen. And I can get soy yogurt for breakfast once again.
But mostly I am just surprised how very little is different. Sitting in my bedroom in my parents’ house I realize that nothing would be any different if I had been in Illinois for a year. This room has been unchanged for 10 years. Plus, unlike last summer where I at least had a diploma to hang on the wall after graduation, I have nothing material to show for my time this visit. Just memories, some photos, some different opinions. Did this past year REALLY happen? Or was it just a very long dream? My rational self says the former… but my heart feels more like the latter.
Onward and upward I suppose. Next week I am visiting friends in Ithaca and NYC. And then Seattle. Lots of details to work out on that front, but I’m not worrying too much. Things will settle into place. Somehow.
So is this the end of A Year In Qatar?
Yeah, I guess it is.
Ma’a salaama.
