09.18.19
I came back to the US after several month’s absence and found it surreal. Before I left on our Nomadic Journey I lived in the Newport Beach area of California. This highly affluent white collar Republican community is not like the rest of America and even after living in Orange County for forty years it held a unique place.
Since February I traveled to Spain, Italy, Croatia, and much of Eastern Europe. We didn’t visit any “highbrow” towns like London or Paris and most of the cities were occupied by normal Europeans doing their normal European things. Expensive cars were not that common although high end retail stores were everywhere, probably because the cost of goods at a store like this is cheaper than in more expensive cities. Now I am back in Orange County where one car is more beautiful (and expensive) than the next, the landscape is manicured with scissors and the streets are devoid of trash. THIS was my reality for decades.
Aside from the lawns and grocery stores that occupy three airplane hangars, there is also sticker shock of food prices, which I wrote about in my personal blog. Everything is crazy expensive and after spending about $5.00 for breakfast overseas, the surprise of a $20.00 check (including tip) is daunting! Seriously, I have not found ANY burgers less than $10 since I’ve been back!
Since I have not been driving freeways, of course, the chaos of half a dozen busy freeway lanes is a bit overwhelming, too, and reminds me of when I first drove into Southern California in 1975. Back then there were less cars, but the traffic dilemma seems to be just as bad 45 years later. Mass transit has never been a thing here, and never will be, but I have gotten used to the convenience (and prices) of trains and metros (subways), and even buses have become part of our lives.
But there WAS one thing I truly enjoyed seeing today: SAND! Every beach we have walked on since we left for Europe has been pebbles, which is tough on the feet and to lay on. I am currently in Del Mar (San Diego County), California, and with a 75 degree air temperature and a low 70s water temperature, this truly WAS a welcome experience.
How do you define Reality? For one person it’s surreal, for another scary, and for another, totally normal. Throughout the world we have cities of every size, rural areas that are out of the way, and everything in between. We find our “spot” and hopefully love where we are and ideally get a chance to at least EXPERIENCE other bubbles in the world. Again, you don’t have to abandon all your possessions and leave your city, state or country for good, but I encourage you all to get outside your Comfort Zone and at least see how other people live.
My first 51 blogs is now available on Amazon under the title “Traveling the World Six Weeks at a Time, Volume I.” You can get hard copy or e-versions, and Thank you!
