Likes, Loves, and Differences. America & India

So I’ve been back in the (my) Country for a little bit now. It doesn’t take long to notice all the differences. They might be little differences, but suddenly I’m noticing the changes. When I went to India, everything was so different (yet so similar too!) that I didn’t really recognize WHY it was different… just that it was. So in no particular order, here is a list of differences that I’ve noticed.

1. When I used the restroom after I landed in Chicago I *audibly* sighed when I realized that I had to use the gross Toilet Paper instead of the super clean Water Sprayer I had fallen for.
2. Grass! – After spending nearly a year in a Concrete Jungle… all this grass is crazy! Sure if you go to more rural areas there are forests and grass fields. Those feel like ‘Country’ areas, so it’s not as strange and forests are just forests. What I’m talking about is the grass between buildings. The Front Lawns...  the Boulevards that are just strips of grass! Who mows that? Wait, there’s enough grass that I have to worry about that again.
3. Oh No! Will my Hay Fever allergy come back? (Never technically left…)
4. I have complained entirely too much about the power going out during a Storm. Really? It’s just a storm, it’s not like it’s going to be out today for 2 hours to conserve it.
5. You thought no power sucked? Pfft. Try having a limited supply of water today.
6. Americans would just flock to the store if there was a water conservation day to buy out ALL the water. If the water needed to be boiled, they’d still just buy out Walmart.  Weirdoes. You don’t even DRINK water. (Midwest peoples, Arizonians excluded.)
7. Holy Crap! I’m back to a better humidity. Easiest test? Drying off after a shower and I’m actually DRY! No waiting for the rest of it to evaporate. I really didn’t notice this one until I took a shower back home.
8. My parent’s shower has more water pressure than even my Brother’s. And he has a ton of floors above him creating a strong pressure. (Think Gravity.)
9. Wait, what is that out there? Wait… Radio Towers? Um... no, those should be BUILDINGS on the horizon, not empty space and a bunch of flashing radio towers.
10. I MISS STREETFOOD. YOU SUCK IN THIS ASPECT AMERICA! GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY AND GIVE ME STREET FOOD!
11. No really, I really miss Street Food. Fellow Americans, I’m not talking about some guy selling cotton candy or hotdogs on the sidewalk. That’s not special.
12. India has officially ruined my care for candy in America. After Indian Sweets, what else is there?
13. Here’s an obvious one: Whoa! I know what people are saying!... I can eavesdrop!! :P
14. What is wrong with you America?  You call old people old for eating at 4pm? Look at you, eating at 5pm. What is this!? You’re just a “hip” old person, you’re still eating FIVE HOURS TOO EARLY!!
15. That said, I now eat four meals a Day. Breakfast, Lunch, Early Dinner, Second Dinner. (or at least a snack)
16. High Fructose Corn Syrup is WAY sweeter than ACTUAL Sugar. Americans are used to it by now, but honestly… sugar tastes WAY better. What’s more? It’s actually healthier for you too. Yeah! HEALTHY sugar. I’m going to miss a 20oz bottle of Mountain Dew for 60 cents, made with REAL Sugar!
17. Speaking of Sugar. Sugarcane Juice? Released directly from the cane? Wow! Seriously! Yummy!
18. I’m ruined for life on Seafood. I might need to move somewhere coastal.
    --- I didn’t really like Shrimp before India, now I’m in love.
19. I’ve eaten more parts of a Goat than I care to admit. And yes all of it was Delicious.
20. I love Steak.
21. There is no substitute for Bacon from a Pig. Turkey Bacon is Facon Bacon!
22. I have an entirely new definition on what constitutes Rush Hour Traffic.
23. The streets really ARE empty. And I don’t mean of cars (though often that too), why don’t people walk?
24. No matter how loud a close an interstate is, it will never replace the sound of dozens of cars beeping constantly.
25. Sandals! Where have you been all my life?
26. Suddenly I find myself no longer cold blooded. It’s not comfortable to be below 71F (22C).
27. It’s going to take work to find foods that call themselves spicy to not be Big Fat Liars.
28. Oh hey! I’ve travelled around and seen a new world. I suddenly have new conversations with people (that have done the same) that I’ve known for years.  
29. A common thing I say now is, “Well in India…” I’m not gloating, I’ve just gained perspective.
30. Houses in America are HUGE! Whoa! That HG TV house hunters show will probably be hilarious to me now.
31. While Americans bitch and complain about security stations, checkpoints, and getting scanned… I’m just tapping my foot and wanting to say, “Whatever, you can wand me a lot faster. Come’on, this is easy stuff.”
32. I don’t know how I ever survived this long without Authentic Indian Food. Though I still don’t like Buttermilk.
33. Woodpeckers sound awesome in India.
34. Fresh Coconuts...
35. ALPHONSO MANGOES!
36. Americans really don’t know how to drive. There are very few rules to follow when driving in India… and yet I haven’t witnessed a single accident on the road. Forget motorcyclists being safe, Americans have problems with their big cars. What the hell America?
37. Remember Frogger? That’s how I’d cross the streets as a Pedestrian. Holy crap it is FUN! I was known to stick my hand out and tell a BUS to wait ‘cause I was’a’walkin!... I really hope I don’t get a Jay Walking ticket now that I’m back.
38. I think I should mention Street Food again. You’re missing out, America!
39. 90F may be hot, but add in 85-90% Humidity and you’ve got a whole new ballgame. Before you step in Americans! Remember, after that storm passes the humidity drops. It’s that humid in India WITHOUT a single drop of water falling. Always.
40. 40C is hot. 35C is only hot for Chumps.
41. Medicine is entirely TOO Expensive in America! I realized quickly that I only ignore the doctor because it’s expensive. In India... they’re there for your health, not your wallet. Ask me about CT Scans sometime. (For prices, dummy. It’s just a really good example.)
42. Doctors in America: “We’ll make those symptoms go away so you’ll feel better!”
43. Doctors in India: “When we’re done, you won’t have this problem anymore.”
44. Know how in America everyone thinks they’re a Doctor? They think they know what medicine they should be on? The doctor tells you everything that’s happening? In India they tell you what you’re going to take and have done. No Extra information. Why? THEY’RE THE DOCTOR. They know better than you… that’s why YOU… WENT TO THEM. It’s better to trust your doctor and get healthy, than to feel you know better. PS – The Dr will care more to heal if you if you don’t act like your google search is more qualified than his Medical and/or Ph Degree.
45. I appreciate coins that are all DIFFERENT sizes.
46. Ceiling fans in america are dumb. Remove the lights and use steel, not wood. You'll feel the difference in two seconds.
47. After a childhood dream of wanting to be TALL… Well, Achieved Earned! “Visit India” Haha.
48. Know what was really smart? Putting a 2 minute countdown telling you when your commercials were going to end.
49. Also really smart? Showing the TIMER of how long the light will be red. I miss that a lot.
50. Sometimes I wonder if I’m more Indian than I’m American.

That’s all for now.  I’m sure as I talk with people more will come to mind.