An Unexpected Viaje

There are a few things that I truly miss from the good ole’ U.S. of A. As it is autumn back home (and also here I s’pose however the 90 degree weather rather kills that statement), currently at the top of my list is a Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spiced Latte. Mmmm. This drink, while overly-priced and lacking the health benefits of say, a big glass of fresh squeezed orange (“china”) juice, signifies comfort and home for me. Also, I miss that feeling right before the first frost. The air is so fresh and so crisp- one just needs to close their eyes and breathe to realize the beauty surrounding them.

On a different note, I miss rules and regulations. The tidy, orderly business of waiting in-turn to order, stopping at red lights, and lowering one’s music after 10:00 at night. I miss the social impropriety that would be attached to an individual if they yelled out to a woman, “Hey pretty baby! Come over here and give me a kiss!” I miss the feeling that would fill me when seeing an abandoned animal- and the urge that would swell up inside to “save it Liz!” More abstractly, I also miss the freedom of being on my own time schedule. Of driving my own vehicle- even getting lost in it. Knowing that, as I am able to drive myself to this or that location, it will take (more or less) 15 minutes.

However, when it really comes down to it, above all else I miss those individuals who have so shaped me and my life. Unsurprisingly, God was aware of this. About three weeks ago, I was having a “skype date” with Pat when he realized that he had a free weekend at the end of September where he hoped to visit the DR. However, as his Friday professor docked students 5% of the final grade for ever missed class, we realized that the only feasible option was for me to fly to him. Several e-mails, phone calls, and one American Airline purchase later, I was heading to NH for 4 days.

The trip was quite the whirlwind as my 11:00 am American Airlines Flight (and I had thought Jetblue was bad!)to Puerto Rico was delayed giving me only 25 minutes to get through customs in San Juan (a feat I was told would be impossible)and if I missed my flight, I would need to sleep over in the PR airport- no thanks! Therefore, I re-routed through Miami and after 6 more hours of delays(half of those hours being spent on board a plane that was not given permission to exit the runway), I arrived in Logan Airport at 12:00am (only 6.5 hours after my original flight should have landed).

However (*and now is the time where all of you folks who can't stand mushyness of any sort should stop reading*) it was all seriously worth it when I saw Pat waiting at the gate. Absolutely one of those things that just can't be beat.

I spent my time in beautiful NH meeting up with old friends, eating lunch with my wonderful Aunt Kiki, grabbing pumpkin spiced lattes with Heidi, staying up "wicked" late with my big cousin John, exploring the Deerfield Fair (aka: eating every fried thing in sight) and spending some much needed time with Patch.

I certainly encountered my fair share of "mini reverse culture shocks" including witnessing the Mall of New Hampshire lose power- which, actually made me feel right at home as most areas in the DR rarely have electricity 24/7- but what was shocking was the reaction of the woman next to me who literally jumped, screamed, and grabbed the person next to her when the lights went out. My face froze, mouth dropped, and after muttering something like "se fue la luz!" (their goes the light!) I am pretty sure I stared her down as if she was completely and utterly ridiculous. It was just the power and it was in the middle of the day!

I found myself getting very frustrated by people around me and also with myself. Shopping for a few things at the mall was very overwhelming. Their was new and exciting stuff everywhere- I kept having to fight this urge to buy- this voice that told me, "'Liz, you need this. You can't find this in the DR." Many of the ex-pats who once lived in the DR have recounted their tales of reverse culture shock. They explain how, upon re-entering the states, they found themselves overwhelmed by what was once a simple task.

For example, driving. Pat lent me his cell phone and car while I was in NH and I was so thankful for this freedom. However, as soon as I was by myself, driving along the road- I had to keep fighting the idea that this was fake. I remember looking over my shoulder for the normal crowd of people packed in the carro publicos that I ride in so often.

While my time away was incredible-I am now back in the beautiful DR- so content with where God has me and finding myself falling deeper and deeper in love with the people, culture, and beauty that surrounds me. Never would I have believed that such a peace exists. And now, as a Dominican friend just surprised us with Barra Payan "mangola" juice- (Chinola + Mango), I am thoroughly content and ready to start the weekend.