Coming to America: The Bittersweet Return.

So, I'm back in the USA... and after two weeks, I'm still having a difficult time adjusting to the lifestyle of stateside being. Of course, life here now isn't much different from life here before... it's just a world of contrast from my recent life in Europe! I had been warned about this reverse culture shock phenomenon... but it seemed kind of weird that I might actually feel more uncomfortable here, in the country where I've spent almost my entire life, than in Hungary, a place I've never even visited. Sure enough, it's real.

One year ago, when I left the States, I was so eager to get to Europe... to start my residence, to meet the people, to pick up on culture, language, cuisine... I just wanted to embrace anything and everything new. I wasn't nervous or scared... not a bit... just excited. However, coming back to the States... I realized that I wasn't really that excited to return. Even though I love my life in the States and there are plenty of amazing things to regain with the American return, I simply didn't have my fill of the European experience.

I spent my last month in Europe on a solo backpacking expedition through Spain and Portugal (ambling briefly into Morocco and Andorra)... and it (literally) changed my life. It's going to take a lot of time and extensive reflection to get it out in words... and even then, only pieces will emerge. Flying into Barcelona with an over-sized backpack and a skateboard, with no place to go and a month to explore, was just the freedom I'd been seeking... Being able to finally visit the places I've always dreamed of, on my own time and my own dime, was thoroughly liberating. Planes, trains, automobiles, buses, ferries, hitchhiking, skateboarding... whatever fit the time, place, and mood.

I've been wrangling with my notes and ideas from the backpacking trip, and just can't seem to put it in blog speak... so, maybe stories will emerge sometime (here on WAW), but maybe that piece of the year will have to be the kind of thing that only emerges in person, over a latte or glass of wine. For now, I'll focus a few words on the return to the States...

So, when I landed in Rochester, NY (via Frankfurt and Newark), I had the ultimate homecoming acceptance... I was greeted by Sarah, Bryan, and at last: LUNA! My beautiful Hungarian Vizsla was there at the terminal with a bright green sign around her neck "Welcome Home Daddy"... and showered me with a million kisses.

I spent a few days in Rochester, catching up with great friends, familiar stomping grounds, and my best pal Luna. We took a trip to the Public Market, several runs to Wegman's, some hiking, some paddling, some Abbott's custard eating, and some game playing.

Then, I was off to Cape Cod for the week... time to catch up with my family and get in some lasting beach time before I landlocked myself up for a while... I caught three CCBL games... and, of course, rooted for blue (my pops, the umpire) every game. I don't know if I absolutely love Cape Cod, but I definitely love the Cape Cod Baseball League (the premier wooden bat league in the USA) and think that it is the essence of the Cape! I was just stoked to hang with my cousins, whom I rarely see.



























We beached, antiqued, and played baseball by day... and the whole family united to eat (same as it ever was) and play games by night... I even cooked a big Hungarian meal for everyone (paprikás csirke, complete with pálinka, of course) with the help of my awesome Aunt Mar.

When I finally returned to the great state of sun and mountains and all things beautiful (Colorado, naturally...), I was once again blown away by the artistry and attraction of the Rockies and gorgeous sunset on the first night. However, when I got back to my house... I came home to clogged drains, an overgrown and weeded dried-out dirt lawn, a half-centimeter grease layer covering my stove-top, multiple unpaid bills, and a nasty note nailed to the middle of my wall. Unfortunately, my Hungarian mate didn't stand up to her end of the bargain... More than anything, it just makes me sad to think of all the incredible people I met in Hungary and the rest of Europe that would've really made the most of an exchange opportunity like this... a chance to live and breathe American life for a year... just as I valued everyday I spent abroad, imbibing each opportunity I met. It's sad. I will leave it at that.

On Monday (my first night home), my sister Krissie came to cook me a wonderful salmon dinner and chase away the evil spirits with sage... On Tuesday, I walked down to Coors Field and sat twelve rows behind the plate for the Rocks and Phils with Patrick. On Wednesday, I hiked the hill behind Red Rocks with Joey and Luna for Primus and the Flaming Lips covering Dark Side of the Moon. On Thursday, I returned to Red Rocks and joined a slew of Denver Family for a hot My Morning Jacket show. On Friday, I had a wonderful dinner with the Musser's and then skated down to the First Friday Art Walk on Santa Fe (always an entertaining evening; the union of hipsters and homeless celebrating the arts and hilariousness) with Shawn. On Saturday, I stopped by the Denver Art Museum for the resident-free First Saturday viewing. On Sunday, I went back down to Coors Field with my little homeboys Haakon, Cohen, and Cavin. And, then, on Tuesday morning, I was off to Lake Tahoe! I spent three days on the ever gorgeous Lake Tahoe on the California / Nevada state line... catching up with some friends from the Bay area, hustling some original prints, and catching a pair of rippin' Phish shows! I got back Friday and... Saturday was the Vans Sample Sale Event at Shawn's and then last night I went to see Pretty Lights at Red Rocks... not a bad first couple weeks.

Things I miss: stress-free life, low-fare airlines, not waking up to an alarm clock, no-pressure hanging out at cafés and restaurants, eating out without guilt or gouging my wallet.

Things I don't miss: dealing with my exchange partner and her unreasonable requests / demands / complaints, paying for public restrooms, paying for water in restaurants, maladroitly hunting for healthy food.