Surreal in Seattle
It's strange being back in Seattle. I usually feel a whole set of How Exotic emotions when I return to Seattle, after any trip longer than 2-3 weeks. Perhaps it's because I didn't fly straight here after Argentina, or perhaps it's just because I'm flying to Europe on Tuesday.
It's lovely to see my friends, yet also a bit sad. I was only able to spend a precious few hours with one of my best friends (he already had plans to go on a little vacation and he's not in Seattle anymore), and some friends I only get to see for very short periods of time. It's great to see people, but I've realized it's almost harder to do this, because seeing most of them only once isn't enough time to catch up and really SEE each other. Though, this visit was my choice and I don't regret any of it.
Last night, went to dinner witha couple friends and then went by the Century Ballroom to see another friend. It was really great to visit the CB, but sad in that the state of my ankle still prevents me from dancing. Of course, I didn't stay for the dance (and spend more time with my friends), because it would have been such torture to watch people dance and then not be able to dance myself.
And so. I will see more friends for drinks this evening, and then hopefully see a couple more friends this weekend, in between running errands and trying to lighten my backpack, because I *know* I will be shopping in Europe.
Random note: out of curiousity this morning, I conducted a little experiment. I have a lovely Eagle Creek backpack (they're simply the best). I also have a little suitcase on wheels, carry-on size. Now, you would think the backpack would hold more than the little suitcase. Wrong. The suitcase is only slightly smaller, though it looks like it's quite a bit smaller. How funny. To think I could have saved on buying an expensive backpack...
Another random note: in case you're wondering about what I did on Valentine's Day: I spent it with one of my best friends, and then had dinner with my mother.
Yet another random note: the food in the US defeats diets. Now, I'm not dieting, but I lost quite a bit of weight while I was in Argentina. Granted, I'm not walking around quite so much here (I prefer to spend the days lounging and packing and re-packing my backpack and watching the cats), but I've been gaining weight. The food here has way too many preservatives, additives, butter, oil and grease added to it -- even when you go to a non-fast food restaurant. Low-fat food is awful because it generally doesn't have much taste. This isn't to say I lived on salads and steaks alone in Argentina, because really, I ate chocolate, ice cream, bread, whole milk yogurt, pastas, etc quite often. Really now. It is entirely possible to eat well, and tastily, without all the extra crap added to food. I'm sure part of the food problem is because Americans demand easily-prepared food and food high in 'taste' (which results in the over-processing of food products), and also that generally, Americans don't really view food the same way as other parts of the world. This is to say, food is a necessity, not something that people really enjoy or spend much time with. Or maybe, this view of mine is just another aspect of the culture shock I've had in the US. But I don't think so.
In any case, I can't wait to get to Europe. Life will be cheese, bread, chocolate, fruit and bottled water, and steaks whenever I can afford them. Oooh, and Orangina in France!
It's lovely to see my friends, yet also a bit sad. I was only able to spend a precious few hours with one of my best friends (he already had plans to go on a little vacation and he's not in Seattle anymore), and some friends I only get to see for very short periods of time. It's great to see people, but I've realized it's almost harder to do this, because seeing most of them only once isn't enough time to catch up and really SEE each other. Though, this visit was my choice and I don't regret any of it.
Last night, went to dinner witha couple friends and then went by the Century Ballroom to see another friend. It was really great to visit the CB, but sad in that the state of my ankle still prevents me from dancing. Of course, I didn't stay for the dance (and spend more time with my friends), because it would have been such torture to watch people dance and then not be able to dance myself.
And so. I will see more friends for drinks this evening, and then hopefully see a couple more friends this weekend, in between running errands and trying to lighten my backpack, because I *know* I will be shopping in Europe.
Random note: out of curiousity this morning, I conducted a little experiment. I have a lovely Eagle Creek backpack (they're simply the best). I also have a little suitcase on wheels, carry-on size. Now, you would think the backpack would hold more than the little suitcase. Wrong. The suitcase is only slightly smaller, though it looks like it's quite a bit smaller. How funny. To think I could have saved on buying an expensive backpack...
Another random note: in case you're wondering about what I did on Valentine's Day: I spent it with one of my best friends, and then had dinner with my mother.
Yet another random note: the food in the US defeats diets. Now, I'm not dieting, but I lost quite a bit of weight while I was in Argentina. Granted, I'm not walking around quite so much here (I prefer to spend the days lounging and packing and re-packing my backpack and watching the cats), but I've been gaining weight. The food here has way too many preservatives, additives, butter, oil and grease added to it -- even when you go to a non-fast food restaurant. Low-fat food is awful because it generally doesn't have much taste. This isn't to say I lived on salads and steaks alone in Argentina, because really, I ate chocolate, ice cream, bread, whole milk yogurt, pastas, etc quite often. Really now. It is entirely possible to eat well, and tastily, without all the extra crap added to food. I'm sure part of the food problem is because Americans demand easily-prepared food and food high in 'taste' (which results in the over-processing of food products), and also that generally, Americans don't really view food the same way as other parts of the world. This is to say, food is a necessity, not something that people really enjoy or spend much time with. Or maybe, this view of mine is just another aspect of the culture shock I've had in the US. But I don't think so.
In any case, I can't wait to get to Europe. Life will be cheese, bread, chocolate, fruit and bottled water, and steaks whenever I can afford them. Oooh, and Orangina in France!
posted by Shana @ 6:50 AM
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