It’s an interesting feeling. To be back in a place you once called home after being gone for an extended amount of time. To recognize everything, yet have it be unfamiliar to you at the same time. There are the obvious things that others can guess at, and there are things that I find difficult to convey in words.

As the plane approached Los Angeles, I peered outside the window and noticed the organized grid of the city streets, a stark contrast to the confusing layout I had been dealing with for the past year. It also quite different from my last view of Japan as my plane was leaving.

Exiting the plane, hearing my native language being used be nearly everyone around me felt quite bizarre. I no longer had to think about how to say something in Japanese, or have my mind constantly in bi-lingual mode, though it still tends to want to be. I am even finding that in conversations with some of my family members, I get very close to saying little things in Japanese out of habit. Though it’s only small things like wanting to say なるほど instead of ‘I see’, it’s a bit strange nonetheless.

While riding in the car, everything around me seemed much larger than I was used to. This is something most people would have guessed coming from Japan back to America. The difference in size is not exclusive to roads, but just about everything. Homes, landscape, food, everything is much larger. In addition, whereas in Japan everything is closer together (some might say a little cramped), the layout in America is much further spread out. While the room to stretch is appreciated, I’m still readjusting to it.

I could mention a few more things, but I think  the biggest difference is overall there’s a different energy. I can’t quite explain it, it just feels different. There’s lots of things that are familiar to me and I know I’ve seen or heard them before, but it feels like I’m experiencing it for the first time. To have something be familiar and foreign at the same time is an odd feeling. Again, it’s hard to explain. I’m sure others who have been abroad for extended periods can relate.

Not to be misunderstood, I am happy to be back! The reverse culture shock is simply taking effect. It’ll take some time, but I’m sure it’ll ware off. And of course, should something interesting arise, I’ll be sure to write about it here!