Two Worlds, Same Country.

I have now been in the Lower 48 for a few weeks and it has been nothing short of overwhelming. The readjustment has been steady. I believe that the constant bombardment of options is the most challenging, well that in conjunction with heat and crowds. So, between those three things my mind has been busy.

Having so many options and choices down here puts things in perspective. The consumer does rule, I knew this, but when you are in a place of isolation, with limited options, you get used to soft tomatoes and milk that expires in two days... Here, consumers demand the best constantly, thus tons of waste, something I am having to readjust to.

They really are two different worlds.

I went to Baltimore, Maryland and Washington D.C. with my friend Christine for the 4th of July weekend. I have never been to either city and after being in Nome for a year it was a breath of fresh air, well as fresh as a hot city can get.

For the 4th we walked around Inner Harbor in downtown Baltimore, had beer and chips overlooking the harbor at a place called Kahuna, went to an Orioles game and later went to an outside symphony that had choreographed fireworks, unfortunately it was raining so the colors were slightly anticlimactic. However, by the 1812 Overture they had the cannons, so that was frightening!

July 5th we drove down to D.C. and parked by the Jefferson Memorial. I had forgotten what an amazing writer Jefferson was. Most amazing authors are simple in their words and straight forward with their message. I know what to look for during my next library trip!

Besides Mr. Jefferson we went to one of the Smithsonian Museums, The Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. It is so great to see grass and open space in such a large city. The short time I spent in Europe the big cities are stores, apartments and cement. However, there is not the infectious urban sprawl that we see in the states.

I am currently in Texas traveling around in hopes to see as much of my family as possible before I leave for St. Paul, MN. I must admit I am nothing short of excited!