I went back to the States, to San Francisco, California, for 1 week (thanks to my grandma and mom) to celebrate Persian New Year with my family. It was surreal and exciting to land back in the States. It was like so much had changed but at the same time nothing was different.
Reasons the US was lovely
- I was comfortable again, never feeling the urge to look over my shoulder
- Hanging out with my brothers and cousins! And grandma, mom, aunts and uncles. So much love and family dynamics.
- Getting to see some good friends, that I didn’t expect I’d get to see
- I was in San Fransisco, one of my favorite cities
Reasons the US was strange
- To be so close to my home-home, in Oregon, but not quite there. So I didn’t get to see my Dad or some close friends
- I wasn’t used to how expensive everything is in the US
- I was worried about coming home empty handed, since my decision to visit was so last minute and unexpected
- I knew I would be leaving soon
- I blended again
As I was leaving Asia I felt a little anxious, and I felt the same when I was heading back. Even in just a weeks time I felt I’d forgotten a bit about how to travel. But it showed me how easy it is to lose the mindset you grow while constantly switching contexts.
When I was in California I felt like a stronger, more confident human than I was before I left Oregon. Maybe that’s because it was only a week visit, with a deadline; because as I was leaving I could feel my inner calm fading. But that just showed me it takes mindfulness to hold on to what traveling cultivates within you. Next time I am home I will meditate on that. I’m setting the intention to hold on to my growth when my traveling inevitably comes to a close in a couple of years.
Photos from home:
Bridge Over Distance 
You look so happy xxx
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Always nice to visit home 🥰😘
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