Is Reverse Culture Shock Supposed to be Enjoyable?

It has been just over a week since I've been back in Calgary and I can tell you that this reverse culture shock thing has been quite enjoyable. Everything is new again, I still can't figure out why people stop for me when I'm crossing the street, and I have already embarrassed myself on a number of occasions by walking to the left instead of the right. Another thing that perplexes me is why people ride their bikes on the sidewalk. If only they had been to India and experienced what life could be like on bicycle...they would think the roads in Canada are a dream.

Longing for the Indian life hasn't eluded me just yet. There are moments when the simplicity of Panchkula haunts every moment of my day, but that is easily taken care of with a mouthful of garam masala....

I attribute this "enjoyment" to my experiences after returning home from Mongolia/China. For whatever reason, I got stressed out over things I couldn't control (something I don't normally do). I also comitted the cardinal sin of returning home after travel: believing that reverse culture shock wouldn't affect me. Haha, big mistake that was. It wasn't until someone told me to "calm down" that I actually realized what was going on with me.

This time around, I've learned from my mistakes. If the phone line takes a week to be connected, who cares? If nothing works the way it's supposed to, big deal. All I have to worry about now is my beef-phobia (still have yet to complete Stage 1).

To update Will's condition, word is that he is in a medically-induced coma.