Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
Homecoming
After our whirlwind tour, it's time to wrap up our journey. No matter
where you go, the i nal stop is always the same. And thankfully, home is
the best destination of all.
Reverse Culture Shock
Having traveled makes being home feel homier than ever. Part of my re-
entry ritual is a good, old-fashioned, American-style breakfast with my
family at the local diner. I know just how I like it: eggs—over medium, hash
browns—burn 'em on both sides, and toast—sourdough done crispy with
marionberry jam. As the waitress tops up my cof ee and I snap my sugar
packet before ripping it open, I think of how, across this planet, there are
thousands of entirely dif erent breakfasts eaten by people just as exacting
as I am. And, of all those breakfasts, it's clear that this one is the right one
for me. I am home.
Considering all the fun I have traveling, feeling thankful to be home
ai rms my sense that I'm rooted in the right place. I enjoy the same Olympic
Mountains view from my kitchen window that I did as a kid. I look out my
oi ce window and still see my junior high school.
While I relish the culture shock of being in an exotic, faraway place, I
also enjoy the reverse culture shock of returning to the perfect normalcy of
home. As if easing from my traveling lifestyle into my home lifestyle, I still
function out of my toiletries kit for a few days before completely unpacking.
h e simplicity of living out of a single bag slowly succumbs to the complex-
ity of living out of a walk-in closet in a big house with light switches and an
entertainment system I've yet to master.
Over time, I willingly fall back into the snappy tempo and daily routine
of a busy home life. I do this because I am not fundamentally a vagabond.
I love my family, have fun running a business, enjoy the fellowship of the
cof ee hour after church, and savor my daily stroll across town for cof ee. If
I had a top hat, I'd tip it to the ladies I pass along the way.
