We have been busy re-patriating to the USA and to Green Bay for a week now. Re-entry is much like departure - there is the flurry of visits and hugs with people, only now these are hellos instead of goodbyes. (Still tears and a heart full and aching, though.) There is the handling of everything that you own, piece by piece, only now there is the decision of where each thing goes in the house.
Unique to repatriation, though, are the cultural differences one encounters while engaging in the community. I've taken a few notes on things that are new to me (or maybe just feel new to me after eleven years away). And so I would like to begin a new short series called "Re-entry" documenting my journey returning to life in the US, Wisconsin, and Green Bay.
New to Me
Masks After leaving the airports, the first very noticeable change is not seeing masks on everyone. Hong Kong is still quite strict about wearing masks in public (in part because few have been vaccinated). But here there are very few people wearing masks indoors or outdoors. This takes a bit of mental adjustment.
Airport Cart We have travelled a lot over the years, and not until hitting O'Hare did we need to pay for a cart to move our luggage. What is normally a free service suddenly became $7 a cart! What?
Friendliness at O'Hare I do believe that the decimation of the airline industry has resulted in better service at O'Hare. As a family for many years we have noted how rude workers at O'Hare have been in comparison to other airports. Over the past few years that has been changing. And this time there was a stark - and pleasing difference! Our airport shuttle driver was literally singing and providing a brief tour on our way to the car rental, for example. Also, another shuttle driver noticed I was about to pay for a cart and pointed out there was a loose one available. A small kindness goes a long way.
Sugar and fat Eating out suddenly became more challenging. Menus seem to have limited fresh items and far more sugary and fatty items. Not to mention the portions and sheer amount of food served with a meal seem to be much bigger.
Cup sizes As we were cleaning out our kitchen we found a plastic sippy cup designed to hold - 20+ ounces of coffee in a car. The base would fit in the cupholder of a car, but the rest of the cup is massive. It is mind-blowing how big some of these cups are! At restaurants Alec has complained that there is no "medium". He said the small is small but the medium is large. He just wants a medium (think 12 oz versus 18 oz).
Recycling Where are the recycling bins in the community? It doesn't make sense to me to go to a vegan "smoothie in a bowl" sort of place literally called "Dirt" only to be served in plastic with plastic utensils and then have no recycling option. What is up with that?
Gas I know everyone is complaining about the rise is gas prices, but to us $2.89 is a good deal. In HK we would be paying $9.40/gallon right now. Feeling blessed to be here!
Groceries HK is one of the most expensive economies in the world. And so it was a pleasant shock to do our huge grocery run to stock the kitchen and come away paying only $309. I have to tell you, I am pretty good at guessing the cost of groceries and I literally predicted a $600 bill. Woohoo!
Sunset I have very much loved our view of Tai Tam Bay and the occasional lovely sunrises. Now I am thrilled to see the beautiful sunsets.
More to come. . .
