Epilogue

It’s been a bit over a month since I returned from my adventure, and I must admit that I haven’t been that motivated to sit down and write my last entry. Perhaps it’s because of the time that it takes; perhaps it’s because this entry truly signals the end of my journey. Honestly, I think it’s due to the fact it’s taken me some time to think of an appropriate summary for what was the trip of a lifetime, an entry that tries to sum up six months of extraordinary experiences in a few concise paragraphs. I’ve concluded that it is impossible to do so, but here are a few final thoughts…

My trip took me far and wide – countless airline flights, bus legs, subway trips, and boat voyages. I returned to the same city, one that I love and embrace after seeing how Chicago matches up to others around the world (and it’s pretty fabulous, if I do say so myself). But the only word to describe my return to my homeland was bittersweet – a combination of a loving reception by friends and family and those special hugs of warmth, with the reality of a return to work and a return to a life that now seemed a bit underwhelming. Not only has the return to my “normal” life taken some adjustment, but assimilation to the U.S. has proven more challenging than I expected. My friend Paula commented that returning home after a stint overseas often allows you to have a more discerning look at your own country, which unfortunately may not always be so rosy. I have concluded that reverse culture shock during my indoctrination back into the U.S. was 100% worse than the culture shock I experienced in any of the foreign lands. Needless to say, it’s taken me some time to adjust.

I’m also finding that, almost five weeks back, my trip is starting to seem like a distant memory. I’ve plastered my cubicle with photos from my trip in an attempt to remind myself of the first six and a half months of this year. I’ve tried to withhold prattling on about my trip too much, but honestly must say I’m thrilled when anyone plies me for details. I’ve gotten used to the ten minute “sum up” that I’m often allowed by acquaintances, with prepared answers for the obligatory questions of “what was your favorite place,” and “where would you go back to?” But just when I feel like the trip has already slipped to memory and photo books, it comes leaping back at me – seeing a food market in Beijing during Olympic coverage that was two blocks from my hotel; reading an article in the paper about Laos with a photo of the Buddha park where I chatted with a monk for an hour; and sitting in an Eddie Vedder concert singing as loudly as I could to the songs from Into the Wild that got me through the tough times. I’m fighting to keep the lessons and the experiences in the forefront of my life and am pleasantly surprised that little tidbits find their way to me as well.

Despite the challenges of adjusting back to life in the States, I must admit I couldn’t have picked a better time to come home. Summer in Chicago is incredible. I’m trying to overlook the ever-present PDAs and the concept of staycations in favor of the better things the U.S. has to offer – our democracy, played out over the next two weeks through the Republican and Democratic convention; our freedom of press, appreciated only when the constrasting oppression of China was imposed on foreign journalists during the Games; and the spirit of America, embodied in a young man from Maryland who millions of us watched make history with his eight swimming gold medals. I was absolutely jumping up and down for his victories.

One of the silver linings of returning home has been the ability of Ben and me to talk much more regularly. When I was traveling, he had to track my time zones and pray that my phone had reception wherever I was, whenever he had a chance to call. We could go days without talking, but now it’s much easier for him to track me down. Since learning more about his experience in Greece, I’m now able to ask better questions and learn more about his experience, and I even found myself telling him this morning to soak up all he can before he comes home. He’s working his tail off seven days a week, often 18 hours a day, and I can tell he’s tired. But he’s also resilient and tough, and ready to continue to the fight for the remaining two months. While our travel together in Greece was blissful and without incident, I couldn’t help but see the irony and the sadness that we happened to be in Istanbul the day of the attack on the U.S. consulate – the first such attack in Turkey in years. I hated to see my husband leave, but couldn’t ignore the clear reminder of why he was gone.

I half expected to see Ben when I returned to Chicago – my adventure was over, wasn’t his too?? But I’m finding that the last few weeks have gone by quickly, and hopefully mid-October will be here before we know it. I feel like I’ve left travel mode in favor of preparation mode – preparing to move back into my apartment, preparing to get things ready for his return, and preparing for what I hope will be the best welcome home party that’s ever been thrown. It’s like I’m biding time – wishing away these weeks until he’s back for our lives to really begin together. Day 54 and counting…

In trying to adapt back into society, to fight the trip nostalgia, and to expedite the next few weeks, I also try to find those fleeting moments of solitude to reflect on the past few months. I must say that I hope I’ve returned a different person – maybe not outwardly visible to others, but certainly clear to myself; with interests in new topics, with new perspectives on work and life; and with a renewed desire to make the most out of my life with Ben. It’s absolutely cliché, but absolutely true. I’m eager for my next trip, eager for the next opportunity that affords those life-changing experiences – but next time, with Ben.

Welcome back to a Rightside life – that will finally be “Up” when Ben returns. In 54 days.