Back to America!

I flew back to the US today. It's been (almost) 11 months since I've been back. It's the longest I've been away and the first time coming back when I officially know this place isn't home anymore. Sure it's the place I grew up, but it's not the place I live anymore or will be returning to (at least I don't have any plans to move back here).

I'm back for eight days and during that time I'm going to squeeze in a wedding and as many visits with friends and family as I can manage. My days aren't full yet but I know they are going to fill up quickly.

I had a four hour layover in Vancouver on my way to San Francisco and already I was amazed by some of the differences between Vancouver and China. I've traveled enough to know pretty much what to expect when coming back to "western" civilization, but it still turns my head when I hear people speaking in English or so many "laowais" everywhere. I think what turned my head the most was hearing native English speakers from Asian-descent. I've been in China so long I've almost forgotten that Chinese people can be native-English speakers too.

It's going to be a good eight days, although I know they are going to fly by and before I know it, I will be back on a plane headed home to China.