• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Cubicle Throwdown

tales of a serial expat

  • Home
  • About Rika
  • Roatan FAQ
  • Japan/JET FAQ
  • Advertising
  • Press

So, Vancouver. We meet again. (On returning home a year later.)

August 9, 2013 by Rika 20 Comments

Well, I’m in Vancouver. This has been the weirdest day. As soon as I flew out of Roatan this afternoon and arrived in Houston, I got completely overwhelmed and almost had a panic attack in the airport. There were SO MANY PEOPLE. And SO MANY STORES. And everything was SO CLEAN. And everything was moving SO FAST. And why is everything SO LOUD?? I can’t believe how used to island life I had gotten. Culture shock!!


Waiting in line for immigration was incredible for me… everyone around me was complaining and so impatient, and I couldn’t believe how fast and efficiently the border control guys were moving through the lines! Hope all those people never have to wait for anything in Honduras cause you have to wait all day…and then some of the next day usually too. It was wonderful to see that I, one of the most impatient people in the world, have finally acquired at least a little bit of patience! (It’s only taken me a year of living in a third world country….)


Flying into Vancouver from Houston at night was amazing, I forgot how big the city was. I could see the buildings downtown twinkling and spotted the tower where I used to work, and where my old places were in Kitsilano.


I feel weird about being back here. It’s been almost a year to the day since I left… and I left in such a determined rush, to get away from a job I hated and a failed relationship that was haunting me and what I considered to be a failed life that I wasn’t really doing anything with. Being back in the city brings back a lot of memories to the surface, not all good. I can’t wait to get out tomorrow and visit some of my favorite places to bring back the happy memories too. 


But for now, I’m simply reveling in the fact that public places have automatic sinks/soap dispensers/paper towel, I can drink out of the tap, I can take a bath, the internet is lightning fast, and it’s 25 C (77 F) and I. AM. FREEZING. I never thought I would be so happy to be cold (or to be able to throw toilet paper in the toilet). Honestly though, I feel like a hobo – everyone in the ‘real world’ is so put together and everything I own is dirty, ripped or stained, and I forget how to put makeup on or how to blow dry my hair.


So, we’ll see how it goes here. In the meantime, here’s what I’ll be doing until I leave in 3.5 weeks:









I will be stuffing my face with delicious food until I leave because that is one area Roatan just kills me on. I’m going to eat EVERYTHING here. Everything. That is all.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Expat Living, Home, Life, Vancouver BC Tagged With: Culture Shock

Previous Post: « Badass business cards from Moo Printing!
Next Post: Roatan Month 12 Roundup – ONE YEAR!! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Molly Yonderblog says

    August 24, 2013 at 1:09 pm

    I know EXACTLY how you feel! After 18 months away we have just arrive back in the UK-it's strange getting used to things but I think you get adjusted amazingly quickly, too. Enjoy feasting-that's an awesome priority!

    Reply
    • CubicleThrowdown says

      August 25, 2013 at 4:43 pm

      Hey Molly – you're right, didn't take long at all to get adjusted. I'm definitely enjoying the feasting still!!

      Reply
  2. Angela says

    August 21, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    I feel like a hobo – everyone in the 'real world' is so put together and everything I own is dirty, ripped or stained, and I forget how to put makeup on or how to blow dry my hair.
    Exactly this! Just got home two weeks ago. I feel so weird!

    Reply
    • CubicleThrowdown says

      August 22, 2013 at 5:03 pm

      Yep, I had a few "what do you mean I can't wear this out?" moments already 🙂

      Reply
  3. Colleen Brynn says

    August 11, 2013 at 12:32 am

    It is always so weird going home when you've gotten used to a different way of life. I found this again when I was in the Taipei airport and my only thought was "So much English…" (we were of course boarding a flight to Vancouver)… and I had the same excitement about throwing toilet paper into a toilet. What thrills and delights! Simple pleasures, people. Simple pleasures.

    Reply
    • CubicleThrowdown says

      August 15, 2013 at 7:09 pm

      Simple pleasures is right. I never thought I'd be so excited to call the phone company here and EVERYONE spoke English. What a treat!

      Reply
  4. Andi of My Beautiful Adventures says

    August 10, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    Hahaha we have the same priority eating! 🙂

    Reply
    • CubicleThrowdown says

      August 15, 2013 at 7:09 pm

      Eating is always my #1 priority!! I love Roatan, but the food leaves a lot to be desired. I'm trying to get my fill cause I know I won't be back for at least a year.

      Reply
  5. Sarah says

    August 10, 2013 at 6:11 am

    Ha ha! I totally relate to the tap water, toilet paper flushing and patience with 'getting ready'. I stuck to the windblown air dry look, with little to no makeup on my last trip. Worked out quite well!! And customs… It's sick! All the people coming back from Mexico with LOADS of shit they paid a ton of money for and will probably never use or wear again. I had the same feeling standing there in line, remembering how big this world is, and how small a third world country seems to most.

    Reply
    • CubicleThrowdown says

      August 15, 2013 at 7:08 pm

      Yep, I've already slipped back into no makeup and air drying haha. That didn't take long.

      Reply
  6. Amanda says

    August 9, 2013 at 9:00 pm

    Ha, it's funny to see what others' experiences with reverse culture shock are! For me, everyone was so TALL! I was really used to being the tallest person (especially woman) around. The internet speeds are pretty exciting too 🙂 Welcome home! Enjoy the food!!

    Reply
    • CubicleThrowdown says

      August 10, 2013 at 2:34 am

      Definitely, that too! Hondurans aren't winners in the height department either so that is the same for me as well. Thanks for the warm welcome! xx

      Reply
  7. awalkontherun says

    August 9, 2013 at 5:38 pm

    What I picture you doing your entire trip: http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6yjjhQXQs1rqhq13o1_500.gif

    Have fun 🙂

    Reply
    • CubicleThrowdown says

      August 10, 2013 at 2:34 am

      Well….that was creepily accurate of the sushi lunch I had today. How did you know?

      Reply
  8. Dusty Soles says

    August 9, 2013 at 10:37 am

    'Eat everything!!!!' haha love it. Enjoy the little things, although in a couple of weeks you'll soon forget how amazing being cold is, how convenient drinking water from a tap is and amazing fast internet is (or that could just be me, the ungrateful swine I am!).

    Have a great time x

    Reply
    • CubicleThrowdown says

      August 10, 2013 at 2:33 am

      It's so easy to forget and take them for granted, but for now I feel like a little kid on Christmas!

      Reply
  9. Jay says

    August 9, 2013 at 10:32 am

    Welcome 'home.'

    I always end up with an upset stomach for the entire first week I'm home. I binge eat everything I missed and even though it's not all unhealthy, my stomach has no idea what to do with it!

    Reply
    • CubicleThrowdown says

      August 10, 2013 at 2:33 am

      Thanks Jay! Yeah, I'm definitely gonna be putting my stomach through its paces…hope it can keep up 🙂

      Reply
  10. Steph (@ 20 Years Hence) says

    August 9, 2013 at 9:45 am

    Happy homecoming! I am so excited for you to eat all the things (and document it, naturally… why else would we have blogs?!?). Just take your time and don't pressure yourself to slip back into the way of things all at once. And if things get too overwhelming, eat some sushi! 😀

    Reply
    • CubicleThrowdown says

      August 10, 2013 at 2:32 am

      Haha thank you Steph!! And yes, much documenting has been happening. It's only 8pm on my first day and I've already made it to A&W (a Canadian burger chain), a sandwich shop with world-famous porchetta sandwiches, a sushi feast and Ethiopian dinner. Now time for some craft beer. I am one very satisfied lady today 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

i’m rika!

hiya! i'm a canadian paralegal-turned-scuba diving instructor-turned EFL teacher-turned digital nomad. i left my cubicle in 2012 and haven't looked back since. i'm a serial expat, but right now i'm back in canada on hiatus for a while. welcome to the place where i say things.

Follow me on Facebook!

Follow me on Facebook!

never miss a post

subscribe by email!

Disclosure: this site contains affiliate links. If they are used, you will receive either a discount or no extra cost to you on your purchase. I may receive compensation from your purchase. This site is not free to run, so thank you for supporting Cubicle Throwdown! 

TourRadar
Airbnb Referral
Booking.com Referral
TokyoTreat

treasure hunt

go back and read ALL THE THINGS!

  • [+] 2019
    • September
    • June
    • February
    • January
  • [+] 2018
    • December
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • February
    • January
  • [+] 2017
    • December
    • November
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • [+] 2016
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • January
  • [+] 2015
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • January
  • [+] 2014
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • [+] 2013
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • [+] 2012
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
Privacy Policy
Cubicle Throwdown Logo

Cubicle Throwdown © 2012 - 2023 · All Rights Reserved