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3 weeks since I left S’pore. I managed to make it through most of the culture shock. No bitter-taste runaway this time. I first went to London to visit Stan for a day. London is THE city you want to land in when you haven’t been to Europe in two years. The next day I was in Nice to see my sweetheart for a few days before catching a train home. Surprise visit to my brother on his 30th birthday (ah ha!). Then it was family time for a few days. I had the best meals in years (Mum’s a real cook), and courgette (zucchinis) never tasted better.

Back in the country side after 2 years in the city. Back home after 2 years on the go. Back in Europe after living with crazy Asians/North Americans.

Ants in the kitchen are OK, so are dead birds (game) in the refrigerator. A walk in the woods with my mum naming wild flowers as I point them out. The village’s morning bell to wake me up. Sleeping in a bed that’s not standard size. World news through French TV (ah!). AZERTY keyboards. Eating locally grown food, hand-picked spices. Drinking wine that’s 50 years of age. Driving on the right side of the road. Jay walking like there is no tomorrow, etc.

Losing touch

I wasn’t home much, visiting my brother in the city nearby or my best friend in Lyon (France’s finest city?) . I had a fantastic time catching up with everyone. It was hard to handle those old/new friendships / brotherhood / relationships / family, fulfilled and unfulfilled expectations, slide shows and hugs, storytelling and question-answering, don’t-ask-me-about-my-life-it’s-boring, all blowing up at the same time. Reverse culture shock you might call it. Dealing with your past or renegotiating relationships. I’m not quite through it yet but the overwhelming part seems to be over.

I am sorry I haven’t been giving much news to my friends overseas. Here’s a start!