Europe is weird. America is weird.
These are the first few thoughts I had while on my layover in Europe and upon returning home at the conclusion of my study abroad experience. It did not hit me until I jaywalked across a Frankfurt road and was chastised by a Frenchman. So the next time I had to cross a road, I waited at the crosswalk for the pedestrian light to change. And it felt ridiculous, I felt so foolish. In Jordan, it is not even remotely considered jaywalking. Pedestrians and drivers enter a social contract wherein the pedestrians cross the road at a brisk pace, whenever they choose, and drivers promise not to run them over. Inherently, this is more chaotic than the crosswalk and stoplight system of the West. But it works and works well for Jordanians. To not simply stroll in the street and expect, nay, know, that you will not be struck was in fact even scarier.
On the other hand, eating in the United States felt like a blessing. While Arabic food is certainly delicious, with hummus, foul, and falafel satisfying me on a daily basis, it did become highly repetitive. In the interest of conserving my budget in an admittedly expensive Jordan, I ate daily at Abu Jbara. A plate of hummus and a plate of foul, very healthy and filling (both made from various beans and olive oil), cost a total of 3JD, or $5 USD. However, even when splurging on more expensive foreign food, such as Mexican or Thai, the food never lost its traces of “Arab-ness.” Mexican food tasted like Arabic food with a dash or two of “Mexican-ness.” My first meal in the United States was Thai… and what a delicious, palate changing plate it was.
Finally, there was my family. I was warned that going from my highly independent and self sufficient lifestyle, back to my family, would be difficult. And indeed, this proved to be true. Surrounded by my loving Arab and Hispanic home family was overwhelming, especially considering how jet lagged I felt. Nevertheless, it is not too different from my Jordanian family as Jordanian culture is similarly affectionate and boundary-defying.
I am happy to be home.