Transitioning Back to the States
Stoplights still exist? … Don’t people know roundabouts are better?
Does this fruit taste different to you?
I get to receive mail? *cries*
Why are there so many choices on these menus?
Why are people driving on the wrong side of the road?
Hey! That person is speaking English, where do you think they’re from?
What do you mean I need to put this glass bottle in the green bin?
***The above statements may or may not reflect my own thoughts. Who knows?***
Honestly, transitioning back to the States has not been bad at all and I feel like I’ve made the transition really well. My stomach has had some struggles with the food, but outside of that and a bit of jet lag (that I’m still recovering from), I’m doing well. I would definitely declare my first week back in the States a success.
Traveling back from Southern Spain was a fairly long couple of travel days. We left Mijas the night of August 19th on a 10 hour bus ride to Barcelona, spent many hours in both Barcelona and Lisbon, Portugals airports and finally touched down Stateside in Miami, Florida at 2:30pm on August 21st.
Goodbyes for my squad were definitely not easy and they all seemed to happen around the baggage claim as we got our belongings and headed out in different directions. Part of it definitely felt like any other travel day when we say goodbye to other teams for the month, but the difference this time was traveling alone from that point forward and knowing it’s going to be some time before I see them again.
Some of my goodbyes were actually said in Spain as a few of my squadmates decided to travel more of Europe before coming back, others were staying in Florida for a night to a week, some went on a cruise, one flew to Canada for a few weeks, others went to a friends for a quiet week and others went straight home.
When I got to Miami, Florida I had a 6 hour layover till my flight to Greensboro, NC. I spent this past week in High Point with one of my best friends, Andi, who had gotten married this past year. It was a good week and I enjoyed the down time I had to myself to slide into the U.S. culture on my own timing. It was also great getting to meet Andi’s husband and spend time with them for the week. I got to do a lot of fun re-entry things like going to a grocery store, eat Chick-fil-A, get American coffee, a new phone plan and go to the beach for a day.
I got back to Roanoke this past Sunday and it has been great to be back with my family again. I got to spend the evening with mom, Joel, Kimberly and Michael and will hopefully get to see John soon. I even got to see my dog Chewbacca.
Though my transition back has been relatively easy, I have squadmates who have struggled with reverse culture shock and it’s been hard for them. Please pray that they continue to press forward into adjusting and that it will start to get smoother.
Moving Forward
So, obviously, my World Race journey is over. I’m back in the States and in what AIM calls Month 12.
Im spending the next several weeks readjusting back along with spending time with family and I’m excited to have this time.
If you’d like to hear more about my time overseas, please feel free to reach out and message me as I would love to tell you about it as well as hear how this past year was for you.
Thank you all for your support. It continues to amaze me how much God has used you all in my life, even now that I am home. If you would like to continue hearing about my journey as well as what’s next for me please head over to lifewithkarablog.wordpress.com
Till Next Time,
Kara Faber
