The differences between life in Ecuador and life in the United States are myriad. Different languages, different customs, different food, different people. But for me, transitioning back to living in The US-of-A ineluctably boils down to one thing:
You can flush your toilet paper here in America.
In Ecuador, the plumbing is chronically weak, so you have to dipose of your soiled TP in a trash can. (Yes, it’s disgusting, but you get used to it.) Here, though, in the land of plenty, where our plumbing is strong, that simply isn’t necessary. God bless our fine nation.
The details of my return trip are these: I flew from Guayaquil to Atlanta on Wednesday, stayed in ATL with my old friend David Z., and then made my way to Savannah, GA last night. I’m writing this message from Beaufort, South Carolina, where I’ll be staying with my family through Christmas.
I fired up my computer this morning to discover that Nick M., the First Ever Newley.com Guest Weblogger (TM), has fulfilled his mission with complete ablomb. Let’s give Nick a big round of applause–not only did he execute his fine stewardship of Newley.com with verve and humor and biting insight, but he’s raised the bar for my own writings herein.
Nick M., I thank you dearly. Next time I’m in New York I’ll buy you a gin and tonic or 13.