It wasn't as Traumatic as I thought...

When my Taxi driver neared closer to the Delhi International Airport my heart started racing..."what if I have picked up some strange habit that I don't even realize, and all the kids at school make fun of me" I starting thinking... It had been seven months since I had been home, and I have been away for almost that long while I was in Australia, but AU and India are two different planets. The worst that can happen in Aussie world is that you call everyone 'Mate' become obsessed with Rugby, Aussie Rules and you become a master griller on the barbie. Can't say I would complain about that.

In India my non-verbal communication has completely altered. I have totally picked up the head bobble, confusing the heck out of people that I talk to, if I am not aware. My personal space bubble has become limited, I have been known to bump into people, not think it is strange and not apologize. I push through a crowd, I don't smile at strangers and I avoid eye contact when not communicating...unless I am starting...yeah, I do that now too. It is a very easy one to pick up. Everyone just watches everyone else. I knew that if I brought these things home to the US they would not be received well and I may offend strangers and my good friends alike.

As soon as I got home the questions were a firing away and often times people asked me the one question that I asked myself constantly...is it strange to be home...and the answer was simple. No. It was nice. It was pleasant, quiet, relaxing and I really enjoyed seeing everyone. I think that India and the US are on such completely different sides of the spectrum in almost every way, that I was able to compartmentalize the two worlds and have a Quinnen in each of them. From my limited perspective, friends, you can disagree, but I felt like I fit right back into things with ease.

Little things that I noticed and thought were funny:

• I couldn't wait to eat a normal American breakfast, with eggs, french toast, hash browns, bacon, and when I did, I couldn't stop.
• A girl smiled at me and I panicked, until I realized that the proper thing to do was not just stare and walk by, but smile back. I started thinking that Westerns smile a lot.
• When someone's coffee lid fell on the ground I was shocked that she picked it up.
• I had to remember to put my seatbelt on. I am used to sitting in the back and cars not having them.
• I was excited to wear a dress that showed my knees.
• I was appalled at what the young girls were wearing and constantly shocked by how short skirts were and how low women shirts were.
• I found myself putting pepper on EVERYTHING and I couldn't wait to eat Indian food.
• I saw a man standing against a wall with his back to me and I assumed he was peeing in public.

Overall I had an amazing time at the wedding, loved catching up with friends, hanging with my fam, eating delicious food for restaurant week and I have all of you to thank for that! I can't wait to see you again in June.