Return to the Rose City @)->--

I've been back in the US for almost three weeks now and a few differences became apparent almost immediately:

1. In Europe there is a toilet brush next to every toilet public or private thus minimizing the embarrassment of an already lengthy trip to the loo.  

2. It's not that American's are friendlier than Europeans, but they are more likely to start up a conversation and ask about your day

3. Being able to understand the conversations around me was surprising and new when I returned, not hearing French, German, or Slovenian at every surrounding table was quite a shock at the beginning

4. I noticed the strange phrases used amongst the Geneva Study Group participants slipping into my day to day conversation such as
      - "la meme chose" or "the same thing"
      - "d'accord" or "I agree"
      - "DTC" or "down to clown"
      - "The Wif" or "WeeFee" or "WiFi" or "Wireless Internet"
      - "Ca va" or "OK/That's Fine"

5. The prices, the difference in price of my latte in Geneva at Starbucks, versus the price of my latte in portland is unbelievable-the first time I went to Starbucks with my Dad we ordered 2 grande nonfat lattes and when I saw the total I thought they forgot the second latte then realized that the price was half the franc price (unfortunately my current deadbeatness and lack of job have prevented me from enjoying this sudden affordability)

6. Getting ID'd when purchasing alcohol (sometimes twice)

7. Unlimited bread and drinks at restaurants

8.  Watching the news-despite having the Wif the whole time in Geneva, we didn't really pay much attention to news worthy events

9. Knowing when I arrive at a counter I will understand the person who is helping me and they will understand me-despite a couple of "s'il vous plait"s, "merci"s and "ca va"s end up coming out on my side.

10. Using my phone in order to make phone calls and not just as an ultra helpful more intelligent than I Smartphone.

I think the biggest surprise is that despite all the very noticeable differences, the transition has not been as hard as I expected it to be, returning to daily life was almost like I never left in a weird way, and all the trains, monuments and cultures seem like a really good dream-I guess part of that comes from any once in a lifetime experience.

I have returned with a travel bug that just wont quit, so much so I volunteered to take a trip to Memphis this summer, I also have a trip to Las Vegas on the agenda in order to celebrate my 21st birthday with my two best friends.  So as the say (cheesy as it may be) and I think (hope) this will hold true-It is only the end of the beginning of my travels, more are yet to come!