Home?

I have decided to post just one last time to conclude my study abroad blog. This is going to be a blog of reflection and I feel like I should warn you ahead of time that it might get a little mushy.

After many hours of travel, I finally made it back to the states and back to Illinois. I'm not sure what I was expecting..but what I experienced wasn't it. Maybe 2 months isn't a long time in the grand scheme of things, however I feel like a changed person and I guess I expected everyone else to have changed as well.

I found out quickly that people, good or bad, were exactly the same. I also expected things to be so much easier, and they were not. For example, I found myself speaking english, but at the same time thinking random words in spanish and barely catching myself before saying them out loud. So it actually took me longer to speak in english at first since I had to go back and translate the word from spanish to english. So very complicated! Also, I was so excited to drive again..only to get home and find out that my battery in my car had completely died and I will have to pay $160 for a new one if I want to drive again. I looked to public transportation in the meantime, but had no idea where to begin..where the bus stops are, where they take me, how to carry everything from WalMart that I needed to buy again..It was like I had to start all over!

On the other hand, I was very glad to see familiar faces. Andrew gave me the biggest hug ever and it made me feel very welcomed..Dexter went crazy of course..Beef had no idea what to think..and my family gave me sweet hugs as well and were all happy to see me.

Reverse culture shock really does exist..you find yourself comparing everything all over again and wondering if it is you or everything else that has changed. It is confusing and an adventure, but that is part of the fun (and the addiction) of travel.

I will conclude this blog by thanking each and every one of you that have been keeping up with my adventures and misfortunes this summer and for all the encouragement that was sent my way. I could not have done it without you! Hopefully this blog has served some kind of purpose, if not only to help me remember that crazy summer I once spent in Argentina.

Cuidate!--take care!

xoxoxo
Allie