Tyler and Emily in PNG

I have been back in the good ole USA for 1 week now. No, I did not kiss the ground when I landed but I was glad to be back on home soil or lava rock in Hawaii. Since I have been back, here are a few small things I have noticed that are different than life in Papua New Guinea.

• Power – lights come on instantly when you flip the switch
• Power – no blackouts, power is dependable
• Hot showers – freedom to take hot shower without be ashamed of over use of water and electricity
• Real food- yellow cheese, milk, cereal, pizza, … well just American food
• Too many options – restaurants, services, more than one TV channel
• Technology – smart phones everywhere, fast internet, iPad, DVR

I have also noticed I tend to find myself gravitating outside rather than sitting indoors. Being in the warm tropics all homes have open air concept with the windows open and drapes pulled to the side. Here I find air conditioning and the house to be shut to the outside world. I miss the sound of leaves and the wind blowing the palm trees.

As far as culture shock…the biggest shock has been seeing scandalous women on the beaches of Waikiki. Talking about going from one culture of modesty to practically string bikinis in Hawaii. I noticed this ‘casual’ dress on my brief stop in Brisbane, Australia then it followed me to Fiji, and now in Hawaii. I shake my head in disbelief and well…admire the beauty of a woman but think really, is this woman really wearing what I think she is or isn’t wearing.

Overall, my time back in America has been pleasant. I have two beautiful nephews that love their Uncle Tyler and of course I love them dearly. I brought them gifts from the Land of the Unexpected. The picture below, the two boys are wearing bilum hats that are typically worn in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. This past Friday, Gabriel the oldest, worn his bilum hat to school for hat day.