Today Jane, my wife, and I will fly to California and points beyond. It will be Jane’s first time in the United States, and essentially my first time back since the fall of 2018. (I did return briefly in 2020 for a medical procedure and barely escaped back to Thailand before the Covid shutdown.)
What will we find?
I lived in the United States for most of my first 59 years, but I no longer call it home. My home, my house, my friends, and most of the people I consider family are now here in Thailand. The country I was once so proud of—when we elected Obama—has changed into something I sometimes barely recognize, at least as far as the news and politics go.
During this visit we will spend time with friends in Southern California and with family in Cleveland and New Hampshire. We’ll also spend about ten days in Sedona and Las Vegas. I plan to do some birding; we’ll do some shopping and a little sightseeing. I long to see the desert again, to watch a ballgame in my hometown, and to taste real Mexican food.
Throughout the trip I suspect I’ll be acutely aware that I am a visitor now, not a resident. I worry about the prices. About driving on the right side of the road again. About stumbling into tense political conversations. About no longer quite belonging.
But more than anything, I’m curious.
How has the culture changed? Are Californians still as friendly as I remember? Are New Yorkers still as brusque? Will Cleveland still feel like my hometown?
I’m sure that while I’m there I’ll wonder what life might have been like if I had stayed, worked a few more years, and retired in the United States. My guess, though, is that before long I’ll start feeling homesick—for Thailand.
And of course, there are two weeks in Costa Rica still to come. Stay tuned!
BaldBrady’s Blog 
Safe Travels! See you in the fall.
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One of these days I’ll make it up your way!
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Enjoy the trip and stay safe.
See you in Chiang Mai in November that’s when we moving back.
Regards Paul
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Good to hear from you Paul, see you in November!
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Have a great trip Brady.
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It was a great trip, but we’re glad to be back home. Let me know if you’re up this way and we’ll get a drink or three!
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Hi Brady — Nice surprise to hear from you after so long. Is this an actual email address? Or do you have a personal address? Cheers, PaulSent from my Galaxy
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I accumulated a lot of inertia over the years. I hope to keep it going now. I use bprhodes@mac.com – I am also on Facebook and messenger. Good to hear from you! Where are you situated these days?
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Have a great time and keep us up to date!
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Will do Ken. Thanks for reading. See you in the Fall I hope.
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I share your feelings about the US. Whenever I return it feels quite strange, even though it is not difficult to function there. I imagine living would be quite different, especially with the high cost of living now. I have been away for about 35 years. There is no way I could live in the US, no matter how much money I would have. The way of thinking there just don’t work for me any longer.
Hopefully it has been good for you and Jane. Pray that she doesn’t like it too much and ask you to move there. 555
Stu
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I Stuart! Are you still up in Phrao? Back in the US I really didn’t feel the politics much. The people in California and Cleveland (my hometown) are really friendly (I forgot just how friendly). But there is no going back for me, I am here in Chiang Mai for the duration.
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Hi there! I left Phrao, did a stint in CM and then married a veterinarian. We and ou 9 cats and 3 dogs moved to the countryside near Mae Wang.
if you are ever nearby following fowl, give me a shout, it would be good to see you again.
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