Well I've been back in the states a few months now and I have to say, I am
still adjusting to American culture. Things are bigger than I remember: the cars, the roads, the buildings, and the food portions, to name a few. Some things are intense and fast-paced here. A lot of people are very busy, rushed by some sort of commitment. They talk fast, act fast and some seem like they've had too much coffee! :) There seems to be a TV going in every public place, and advertisements for the newest gadget are everywhere. Even scenes on TV change fast and catch your attention with explosions, color, and loud noise. Everything is just very stimulating again to my senses-like my first time in Vegas. Most Americans seem happy, alert and thankful for their families; but on the other hand, others seem so tired, drained and unhappy. We are very ambitious people by nature and strive to achieve a lot which sometimes leaves us distracted, exhausted or confused.
Lately, I've been feeling like a bit of an outsider because I've become so laid-back. Everything in NZ now seems so slow paced, but very wholesome and pure and I miss it so much. I have so many great memories and right now living in Helena for the first time in 10yrs since I left and in the dead of cold winter, I can't help but feel a little blue.
Mom's house on a beautiful snowy day)
Its good to be back as I missed my family, the great food we have here, and the feeling of connection with the world. Visiting family and friends has been warming and fulfilling. It feels like being a celebrity when everyone you know wants to visit with you and ask you questions. I still can't believe how many people I've inspired.
Before Christmas I took a short 10-day trip to sunny Miami. I was there investigating the scene, looking for bar work (I was thinking of working there for the winter) and visiting my friend Leah, whom I met in NZ at the 42 Below cocktail competition. She works at Skybar in Miami (great name!). Miami seemed like a fun place for action and bartending and like no place I've ever been, so it would be a new experience.
(South Beach and Ocean Drive, full of Art Deco buildings)
I stayed in South Beach at a hostel where I met some wonderful friends from Sweden, Colombia, Germany and Canada. South Beach is full of beautiful Art Deco style buildings and cultural areas including Espanola Way, a Hispanic district full of great small restaurants.
(South Beach Marina and dinner with my Swedish, Canadian and German friends)
(Lauren from Glamour magazine, Edgar from Colombia at Skybar)
(Lunch on Espanola Way)
It feels very foreign there, with people from many countries walking the streets speaking Spanish, Portugeuse, etc. It is also a very rich place full of huge ritzy hotels, glamour and grandeur. Speaking of Glamour, while walking down the street, I ran into some girls from Glamour Magazine doing interviews for articles, so I might be in the March issue! We hit it off and they were so nice, we ended up going out for drinks that night and had a great time.
(The swimming pool at the Delano, $700 a night if you please...)
It was great to see Leah again after NZ, and I had a great time as she was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to show me around South Beach and get me into some exclusive clubs and lounges, it was awesome! I felt like a rock star hanging out with her and all her friends as we'd just go straight to the front of the lines of all these clubs and right in!
(with Leah and her friends and I at Table 8)
(At Club Mansion where Ne-Yo was playing)
So the whole trip to Florida was fun and it was good to get out of cold Montana and experience American culture in a city again. It was also my first time to the East coast.
I've definitely got more to update you on as I'm settling into Helena and the US again, so stay tuned. I'll try to find some time to update!
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