Well everybody, Brendon's back!! Sorry there was no heads up beforehand but this was actually a pretty big surprise to all of us. I actually really didn't even find out about the flight until about 7:30 pm on July 3. That's 6 hours before I left!!! So in that six hours I scrambled around throwing the suit cases together, packed up the rest of Staci's bag (first time we have ever used skype to help pack), cleaned the apartment and tied up all loose ends before heading out. It was nuts but I got out just on time and I got home safe and sound on July 4th.
One of the things I enjoyed most on the trip was being able to come back to America on the 4th. Most of my life July 4th meant fireworks, family, and bbq, but this year was different. I got to see America more from the view of an outsider coming in. So for this post I'm going to list four different ways I appreciate America this year.
1. Freeways
I'm sure for most of you the picture above is not the most pleasant of sights. It probably reminds you more of headaches and long days than anything positive. But for us, what we see is: lines and order. It was almost funny merging onto the freeway once we got back and to see all of the cars completely in line, no one driving on the shoulder (or median for the mater) and everyone following the rules.
I got this next picture from the Holdermans and they took it in a parking garrage in Riyadh. Does anything look wrong with this picture to you? Looks like an open spot to me.
This is just one of those things you expect in a place where 4 lanes means 6, you can reverse on round when it's really busy, and where turning left can be done at a stoplight by jumping the right hand side median and swooping over four lanes before the light turns green (can't tell you the number of time we have seen this last one happen).
2. Ebonics
Oh ebonics, we missed you so much. Nothing says America like a good ol' foo, cap, or shawty. As soon as I heard the person checking my bag say, "Shevon, that is cazay" I felt right at home.
3. Reuniting with old friends
Sorry, I know that was cheesy. But seriously, this little toilet paper ring is AMAZING to see again. In Saudi you better have a back up plan because 9 times out of 10 you can bet there will be no toilet paper. Next amazing thing I saw... tissue paper seat covers. Is this heaven?
4. So excited that you can see fireworks from a plane!
I wasn't sure if I was really going to be able to see them but if look real close you can see little flashes of light below. I was lucky enough to be going over LA too, which I'm pretty sure is the city with the most bootleg fireworks known to man.
I didn't have my camera at the time but this video below shows exactly what it looks like from the plane. So crazy!
