Back on American Soil

As if moving back "home" after 5 years of European living wasn't going to be enough of a transition, I decided to pair the reverse culture shock with moving to a new region of America and jump into a new job. Go big- right?

Well, with one week completed on American soil one things is sure- I'm not in Rota anymore! The things that often caught me off guard still do although I know that they will fade away as I settle back into American life:

• Huge cars
• Fast food chains on every corner
• Ability to understand conversations
• Large food portions, the cost and wait...I have to leave a tip?
• Abundance of cell phone usage (while driving, walking, shopping)
• Shelf upon shelf of food options

But what about those regional things that this CA girl has never known? Like what? Funny you should ask:

• No container sales of alcohol are allowed on Sunday, but apparently you can fill a growler at any of the local breweries. 
• Trembles? Don't duck and cover...that's just the building moving with the wind.
• Lots of wind? Just check out the tornado coverage on the news. (Somehow KSBW8 Storm Watch coverage now seems weak.) Don't worry, there are siren systems and basements to keep you safe. No basement? Hang out in the bath tub. Yes, we've been having practice drills.
• With you life at risk every tornado system, it's a good thing people are friendly here! And actually, this warms mi corazón that people say hello as they pass and conversations can even turn into great dinner recommendations. 
• And when you take said dinner recommendation and stop by an antique shop you may be told to come back between the hours of 1 and 5 another day to meet a recently single, former Marine who can assist with moving...but an old lady wouldn't notice these things.