Here are some of my random thoughts now that I've been back stateside for a couple weeks:
- There are a lot of fat people.
- So much food!
- Seriously, 3+ full meals a day? What is this, Christmas?
- There is no nsima, soya pieces, and veggies are expensive.
- Fruit has no flavor.
- But people are eating like there's no tomorrow.
- Did I mention the food? I mean, seriously, these portion sizes.
- Not only portion sizes, but why does a menu need so many options?
- I want to order the dinner. Don't complicate things.
- People know almost nothing about Africa or geography.
- Smart phones are ubiquitous, but direct human interaction is not.
- Almost every child out there is spoiled.
- Beer can actually come in more than 4 varieties, and tastes good.
- New Belgium is now available everywhere.
- Drafts! It's even better than I remembered.
- Yet all this good beer, and everyone else seems to be a light-weight.
- Water comes out of taps and is already safe to drink.
- People drive really fast, but the cars are in such good condition.
- Taco Bell wasn't a fantasy, but a glorious reality.
- There are so many hipsters, it can only be defined as the mainstream movement, which makes my brain hurt.
- And my soul hurts, too.
- Radio stations! We have them.
- In English.
- You can't make bad comments or curse in English in public places, because people know what you're saying.
- Pepper is a stable condiment. Nice!
- So many napkins and paper towels.
- Petrol (gas) is really cheap.
- It isn't normal to go to bed when it's dark, but to use artificial light to stay awake for many hours, just to sleep way past sunrise using blinds to block out the real light.
- People are obsessed with money. Well, that's about the same.
- Stories involving throwing rocks at dogs = not well received.
- Almost no one actually wants to hear about Peace Corps/Malawi. Just quick answers.
- If you ask me what Peace Corps was like, and want a quick answer, I'm going to expect you to give me a quick answer on what the last two and a half years of your life was like.
- Also, don't ask me what Africa is like unless you're prepared to tell me what North and South America are like. I lived in one small country.
- And no, I was not even close to the Ebola outbreak. Europe is closer than Malawi.
- Gator Football...is miserable. Let's be honest people.
- For that matter, the Bucs, too.
- But, the best part of all: CHEESE!!!
