Unfortunately, there is a lot of that in the US. I think the extremism isn’t practiced as much as it is in the media, but I’d say your feelings are similar to what we experienced while there. It’s especially hard returning after spending a lot of time in Europe. 🙁

I don’t know. In some ways, I’m hopeful it feels different when we’re back in WA, and in other ways I’m ready to be back in Europe.

Conformity isn’t something I do well. LOL I wasn’t that connected with the typical American culture I left so this is a double wallop for sure.

I like Portland, but I’m not sure it’s a city I’d want to live in long term.

I think when one returns home they have much different expectations than for foreign countries.

May I chime in for Portland? Not only is there no sales tax in Oregon and hence no surprises at the register, many a traveler has remarked how nice people are here.

Having returned from a RTW trip in the summer, I’ve had a fair share of reverse culture shock even as a recent immigrant, so I hear you. But, as you wrote, being back is just another adjustment to a place and a culture that’s no different from adjustments to places/people outside the U.S. Or is it just we Americans have higher expectations of this country?

I suppose after so much time on the road you change more so than the places you leave, thereby making it harder to return. Makes me wonder if we’ll have trouble reintegrating when the time comes.

I think you would really like it Talon 🙂

Bainbridge is so lovely! We’ll be on Whidbey for a few weeks. Not sure what we’ll be doing after that.