culture shock

Hi there. Sorry so long without an entry, but this is truly one of the first quiet moments I have had in a week. All good stuff though. Fairly painless albeit slightly delayed flights. Managed to find a place to have a cigarette (yes, folks, mylifeinspain still smokes, although not for much longer) in Heathrow. The airport has these little U-shaped Plexiglas-enclosed spaces with heavy-duty air purifiers where people like me crowd around the few ashtrays that have been provided as the throngs of nonsmokers cast evil glances as they pass. Very strange experience. Spent the first five days of my US tour with my family in PA Dutch country. Family is all well, and it was great to see them all. Particularly enjoyed getting reacquainted with my two-year-old niece, who is not only beautiful but also has a wicked sense of humor already, and my brother's girlfriend's six-year-old son, who is hypersmart and tricky. I let a "bloody hell" slip while we were making eggs for breakfast the one morning, and he replied, "Where did you learn that word?" Oh well, I try my best, just not used to being around children on a regular basis....I enjoyed roaming the streets and supermarket of my hometown. I've been away for so long that no one recognizes me, but I still know most of the natives. I felt a bit spyish as I noted how they've changed, aged, etc. The weather there was chilly, and we even had a dusting of snow Sunday to my delight. Not so good for my brother, who arrived back in Cape Cod Monday evening to find they had been hit with the brunt of the storm, 6 to 18 inches in various spots...very unusual for this coastal area. Mr. James had a very nice holiday as well. It turns out his driver is Roman Catholic, which I suspect is rare in Pakistan. Nasir and his family invited Mr. James to midnight mass, an invitation he could not refuse. His highlight was the children singing the "Happy Birthday" song to Jesus. Christmas evening he was invited to the UN Club for a proper Christmas turkey dinner. Again, another interesting experience, great group of people, etc. Yesterday I traveled to Philadelphia to visit friends from my 11 years here pre-Spain. My hosts M. and T. have been fabulous. M. and I went for cocktails last evening; two Manhattans for me, two vodka martinis for M., and we were trashed. :-) The cost: $31.50, and this was in a dive bar, can't imagine the bill in one of the upscale places that seem to have taken over much of the Center City Philadelphia. Was also fascinated by our waiter's attentiveness to our water glasses. Actually, I was surprised to be given water without even asking for it. Had forgotten about this aspect of American service, having become completely accustomed to ordering and paying for water. Had fabulous sesame seed bagel for breakfast this morning, and then e-mailed and called friends to schedule visits. I'll be staying here until Friday AM, and then I'm taking the bus back to PA Dutchland, picking up my mother's car, and driving to my sister/brother-in-law's house in Maryland. It is very pretty country there, just over the PA border from Gettysburg and definitely south of the Mason-Dixon line. Children in their neighborhood refer to my sister as Miss Kathleen, for example, and the death of Dale Earnhardt was openly mourned by the masses. We are taking my niece to Chuckie Cheese for New Year's Eve. C.C. for those not in the know is a pizza/gaming place for children. Yes, my days of spending New Year's in sweaty bars watching bands, fighting for a spot in the bathroom line, etc. are officially over. And you know, I'm okay with that. That said, if Guided by Voices were playing their final show ever in Philadelphia this NYE, rather than in Chicago, I might have had a change of heart. :-) Had good fun today wondering around some of my old favorite spots. I immediately found myself having to physically restrain myself from saying hello to everyone I passed on the streets. In our village in Spain, this is considered completely normal and expected. The same behavior here would have me labeled a nutter. Went to Chinatown for lunch, to the only Burmese restaurant in the city, called Rangoon. If you should ever find yourself in Philadelphia, you must seek out this gem. I essentially had two meals, the spicy chicken salad and a bowl of Mandalay noodles. Including tip, I had an $18 lunch, but then again, how often do I get to Philadelphia. :-) Any excessive spending on my meal was offset by my post-Christmas shopping excursion to Strawbridges. Get there while you can folks; they are practically giving everything away. For just under $20 total, I purchased a really cool bandana-print cotton skirt and a new bra and panty set. I saw the same Calvin Klein bra at El Cortes Ingles in Malaga for 35 euros (~$50) a few weeks ago; at Strawbridges, $7.99. This department store has scanners scattered throughout the store so customers can check prices before they go to check out at a register. I had great fun just checking all sorts of items to see how far the prices had been marked down. If you live anywhere near a Strawbridges, my advice is go, go, go!!!! Next stopped off at the day spa in my old neighborhood. Had a good chat with my former massage therapist (and friend) and the owner. Also stocked up on my favorite Japanese incense and lip balm, which I'm finding a real need for here with all the dry central heat everywhere. And now I'm at M. and T.'s office in Northern Liberties. They are finishing off some work, and then we are off to meet up with our friend B. and some other folks. I cannot tell you what I great time I'm having. Just having a two-week break is such a luxury for me these days. My last similar sort of vacation was more than two years ago, and it just feels great not to worry about deadlines, deadlines, deadlines. It's always crazy trying to see everyone I would like to in just a couple weeks, but it looks like this trip the scheduling is working out pretty well. :-) Okay, must be off. Hope everyone had a happy Christmas and will have an even happier New Year. All the best, mylifeinspain