12 responses

  1. Katie @ The World on my Necklace
    September 21, 2014

    I guess you just need to find your people in the place that you live. There are pretty much always subcultures. Where I live at the moment (Sydney) is known for being flashy and sometimes pretentious but that isn’t my world. I enjoy the natural environment, hang out at places that are more relaxed and my friends here aren’t the flashy types. You can mould your surroundings to fit in with the lifestyle you want to live, the rest is just background noise.

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      September 22, 2014

      To an extent that is true, but there are some things that you can’t really mold, such as a country’s attitude toward homosexuality.

      Reply

      • Katie @ The World on my Necklace
        September 30, 2014

        That’s true. PNW is a lot more liberal though right?

        Reply

      • Talon Windwalker
        October 1, 2014

        Yes. I’m hoping that being in the PNW will make a big difference. The culture is much more relaxed as well.

        Reply

  2. Franca
    September 18, 2014

    The only time I experienced a little bit of reverse culture shock was when we went back to Europe after spending 10 months in Asia. Going back to what was normal for us was quite shocking including how expensive everything was (and still is) compered to Asian prices and cost of living. I knew that already but I guess I got too comfortable in Asia and definitely felt the difference once back.

    Don’t panic Talon, it’s not worth it 😉

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      September 18, 2014

      Boy, I hear that sticker shock. We went from SE Asia to Australia which was a major ouch. Doesn’t matter how prepared you are for it, it still hurts.

      I’m trying not to, but I have my moments when I start questioning if I can really handle the US again. The nice thing is we have the freedom and experience so that if it isn’t working we can hop right back onto a plane and get out of there. But I’m hoping it all works out because we’re ready for a base.

      Reply

  3. Stacey Veikalas
    September 18, 2014

    Oh My Goodness …I have had these same thoughts myself. We have been overseas with my husbands basketball career for 8+ yrs. Everywhere we go part of the contract is a full furnished house, utilities, and a car for the season. When his career is over we are facing the same thing and it often gives me PANIC! Like you said renting, furniture, accumulating things again – most I’m really worried about the reverse culture shock on the family as a whole. I’m not sure we would even “fit in” in the USA anymore…yIkes! I’m watching your transition, to see how it goes! Good Luck!

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      September 18, 2014

      If I had more in the bank, I’d be less concerned with it. But trying to piece together a whole household, etc., on a very low budget isn’t fun.

      I can definitely relate about not fitting into the US. I was already on the outside a bit, but now? OMG. Tigger is concerned he’ll be viewed as a freak since he doesn’t get US kids either.

      Reply

  4. Patti
    September 17, 2014

    I’ve never really experienced culture shock when traveling out of the USA, I find it more right here in the states. Texas? Um, yeah, man carrying semi-automatic weapon while walking downtown was definitely culture shock. And that was in Austin! The USA is so huge and diverse, I’ve often felt we were passing through country borders rather than state borders. We’ve driven back and forth across the USA 3 different times, and I think we’ve been to about 33 states so we’ve gotten a good taste of culture shock right in our own backyard, so-to-speak.

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      September 18, 2014

      Some states are definitely more like their own world (Texas, I’m looking at you) for sure. But even just shifting from WA to OR I’ve noticed it in the past. Same with CO to NM. It can be quite interesting.

      Reply

  5. Carolyn Sasek
    September 17, 2014

    We look forward to seeing you… Austin, perhaps? Or PNW? … time will tell, as our own ‘nomadic plans are made in sand’ at the moment.

    As far as renting and ‘getting stuff’ … I have some suggestions when you get to that point — been there, done that (for six months) and then hit the road again!! — Perhaps insight that can help it be less overwhelming.

    As always… thank you for sharing your vantage point, and your journey!

    –c–

    Reply

    • Talon Windwalker
      September 18, 2014

      Definitely open to suggestions. When I was having to get more furniture prior to adopting the 1st time, I found Freecycle and Craigslist to be huge helps, so I’ll be looking at those for sure.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top
mobile desktop