I’ve been back in the United States for almost 3 weeks now. It seems like I have been back for longer; however, my driving frequency (I’ve driven about 4 times on the “other side of the road”) indicates that it hasn’t been very long. Most days I miss special things about Wales while at the same time I am learning to appreciate, discover, & re-discover things about my home culture in San Antonio.

I have had a major readjustment to the intense heat of Texas. When my kids complain that it is “boiling”, I continually remind them that I grew up in this weather while all the time asking myself, “How DID I grow up with this heat?” For about a week coupled with jet lag, I was sure I was carrying a big hairy gorilla. The heat really weighs you down & zaps your energy until you learn how to live with it. And the best way to live with it…..get in the outdoor pool. I have had an insane amount of fun laying in the pool while the kids play. I wish I could invite all of my Welsh friends to the outdoor pool with lots of heat.

Being reunited with my parents has been a lovely thing. They are so kind to house us all & mom cooks for us most days. How blessed am I? We all went bowling the other day & I chuckled hearing my dad taunt us with athletic stories of his youth. When you have lived so far away from your family, you really appreciate those times of togetherness.

As I have gotten older one thing I have really begun to appreciate is a city’s culture. And San Antonio has a lot of culture. We have loved eating Mexican food (favorite being fish tacos), visiting the Alamo, & seeing all of the colorful decorations of Mexican culture. It was fun to pay our respects to the Welsh flag at the Alamo & learn of the only Welshman (Lewis Johnson) who fought there.

I am still happily amazed by the fact that I can fit so many clothes into the clothes washer & that I can get “nitrate/nitrite” free bacon at almost any supermarket. Sorry to say I am shocked by the obesity problem in Texas & the fact that so many people ride in those automated carts around the store.

I have been most surprised by how I respond to extremely friendly people. I am very friendly & I have always thought that people in Wales were very friendly, but in Texas I have found myself felling slightly uncomfortable in the presence of extreme friendliness. I don’t know if Americans are better at eye contact or what it is, but communication between strangers is different in America. I think I have found myself trying to close one eye (like a one-eyed wink/squint) while someone talks just so it won’t be so intense. To another random person who was talking, I just blurted out, “I love your teeth. You have really straight teeth.” I think my uncomfortableness made me do it!

So, there you have it. Below you’ll find some pictures of fun in San Antonio. And just when I think I reacclimatize to Texas, in two weeks time I will be moving to Portland where another adventure awaits!