The Blithe Traveler: Stopped In My Tracks

Such a co-incidence that I mention the notion of 'homesickness' yesterday and today two, two different American things pulled me up short. The first was the Ram truck. Sister Mercy, you do not see things like that in Europe! There are probably six of them. I can't tell you the last time I saw one, and I would not be shocked if I never saw another one again.

The second? Check this out:

Marshmallows! In my local Billa!!

American, Rocky Mountain Marshmallows, no less. Gluten free, in the True American Tradition, if you are the sort who cares.

So, I'm not 'homesick,' exactly. It's not that I am longing to go back to some place. It's just that every once in a while, I am overcome with this notion that I am a visitor. A visitor in a place where I live.

Plus, it's that time of the year. End of school. That time of the year in the international community when people leave. This kills me. There are people who I will see today, people who I have seen all the time for years now, who are going to leave. And there will be a hole, an empty space in the place they occupied in my life. Oh, wait, my screen has gone fuzzy. Hate that. Sorry.

Coke, as I mentioned yesterday, is my cure-all for this sadness, this melancholy, this feeling that I am standing on shifting sand. Why Coke? No idea, really. I'm not a 'carbonated beverage drinker.' Pretty much ever. I drink water, juice, and on Friday nights, wine (red, thanks). But 'soda,' 'pop,' or whatever you want to call it does not factor into the beverage consumption of anyone in my family. So, the Coke thing is just weird.

But, it works. When I am sad, those three or four times a year it hits me, Coke it is. Or at least, it was.

Today I discovered something interested. After seeing the Ram truck and the marshmallows, I made a bee-line for the carbonated beverage section. Coke is apparently no longer available for everyone!

Let's see, Grandpa, Dad, Gourmet (Gourmet?? WTH?) ... nope, none of those are me ...