We’re Doing It.

Martin and I have been thinking.

We’ve decided to tip on our cowboy hats and spend the summer in the United States.

I keep saying, “We’re going home for the summer.”

But is that home?

I thought Berlin was home.

So I do not know if a person can call two very different places home.

(Do not ask me what “home” means!)

I only know one thing.

I’m scared.

Last time we went back to the US, I was hit with really bad culture shock.  Ohhh – it was so bad!

I was back in the world that I knew.  But I didn’t understand it any more.

I remember more details about those first 24 hours back in the US than any other 24 hours in my life.

From speaking German to the AMERICAN flight attendants because I couldn’t remember how to speak English to strangers.

To feeling overwhelmed by waaaay too many choices for a toothbrush at Safeway at 11 pm when our luggage did not arrive.

To watching the clerk at the organic grocery store sniff my tea selections.

Then there was the sheriff who had his hat on the chair where I was going sit for breakfast.  ”Pardon me, ma’am.”

All of the bright clothing at Old Navy had me squinting and covering my eyes when I needed to buy some pajamas.

Everyone was so loud.

Everyone kept talking to me.

I think culture shock really happens when you return to a place that you know.  (well… knew.  A place that you knew.)  Culture shock isn’t something that happens on vacations or when you first move somewhere.  That’s because everything is new and exciting.

So I am scared.  But I’m also really excited.

Martin and I will get to do more of this:

(By that, I mean camping and hiking, not climbing across dead trees that hang off cliffs, MARTIN!)

And of course this:

Ooooh yes!

I’ll see people I love.

(EEEEH!)

I’ll grow the journal shop.

And you know what?

I’ll never go to the grocery store only to discover it is closed for a holiday that I didn’t know about.

(Do American grocery stores ever close now?  So much to re-learn!)

I’ll understand everything people are saying.

Oh man… I will understand EVERYTHING.

The Decluttering Project will continue.  I’d working overtime to get it put together before I start thinking about packing up.  I’m picking out chocolates to bring back for people, and I am oh-so-thankful to have all of you on this journey with me.  Martin and I will be living in the countryside again, and I have some great plans to share with all of you.  Yeehaw!

Everyone here in Berlin keeps asking us about cowboys.  Germans are addicted.  Cowboys, cowboys, cowboys!  I smile and tell them, “Yes!  We’ll be around cowboys all the time.”  We’re excited to go to the rodeo again, camp in national forests, make our own yummy marshmallows and graham crackers for homemade s’mores, and eat America’s amazing cheddar cheese and Puffins breakfast cereal.

Here’s what’s planned in the next few months:  A little simplifying.  A little German lifestyle meshed with a dash of western style.  A little cooking.  A little decluttering and handmade.  And a whole lot of embracing life because that’s exactly what I hope we can all do this summer. I think you’ll love what’s coming up!  Meanwhile, I’m practicing my “Howdy there!”.

We’ll see you on the other side here shortly.