Ecuador to Texas Change in Geography and Attitude

I hope you enjoy the music by Bon Jovi: Who says you can’t go home?

So we went back to Texas in April for a brief visit. Wow-what a shock the change in geography and attitude. I always find it amazing to suddenly shift from one culture to another in just a matter of hours. Shopping is available 24 -7 and nothing is closed between 1 pm-3 pm for lunch,  family time, and even a little afternoon siesta.

When we landed at the Miami Airport we could feel the old tension returning. On the tram to the passport check-in station, a little boy started speaking to me in Spanish. What? A year and a half in Ecuador and now I look Spanish? No turned out it was my Ecuador T-shirt boasting “All you need is Ecuador”.

I felt right at home at the Miami Airport since so many of the folks were Spanish speaking. We flew business class which allowed us each three  70 lb bags. So our bags were nearly empty in anticipation of the shopping we would be conducting. Flying business is not like it used to be. I felt uneasy seeing the duck tape on the ceiling above my seat. Oh my, they even had to replace the pilot’s seat as I cautiously watched the process going on the tarmac. They even ran out of toilet paper but no worries I am always prepared to live in Ecuador.  I always have my purse well stocked with extra toilet paper. The flight staff was wonderful but you could tell they struggled with cutbacks.

So later we arrived at DFW Airport and Global Entry is wonderful! Sandra our neighborhood friend and B & B hostess was waiting for us.  The 2 weeks in Texas just flew by and we were so busy seeing family, and friends, shopping, eating at our favorite Texas eateries, doctor’s visits, and of course our visit to our CPA! So much for retirement and limited income, I was shocked at how many unexpected TAXES we had to pay Uncle Sam.  Enjoy the slide show below of our trip highlights.

Looking back I realize that I did not take nearly as many pictures as I did on the last visit. Maybe it was my new camera or maybe it was just not as exciting.  Not only have most of our friends moved on with new adventures in their own life but we found that we had also changed. The food we had longed for just did not taste the same except for the good ole What A Burger! The food had not changed but we had changed.  I was amazed at how overweight folks were and it is understanding of the huge portions of food served. We also gained weight during our visit of only 2 weeks so you can imagine a lifetime of eating this way.  We felt the stress of the environment so much traffic and rushing around with just daily living. We yearned for the slower pace of our new life in Ecuador. Yes, we went back home to Texas but so glad to be back our home in Ecuador with our new life and friends.

Hugs to family and friends. Especially our dear friend Sandra for putting up with us for 2 weeks!