It's Travel Channel's Fault.

The Travel Channel and I have become good friends over the last two weeks.

What better to watch when everything outside is white?

Since Valentine's Day, they've featured four foreign cities I've visited.

During the same span, my timehop has been dredging up pictures from Thailand, China, and Mongolia (the last of which I went to exactly one year ago this past Tuesday).
My Mimi also asked me how my boy in China was doing. 

Needless to say, I've been getting a little nostalgic/heartsick.

(last November, he seemed to be just dandy)

It's weird to tell people I've been to eight other countries, because it generally makes me feel like a beached octopus or five-legged end table. I don't fit and I get awkward looks. 

But right now, I miss those places.

I miss flying. How everyone in the airport is excited, how the food is never very good, and how I always seem to pick depressing movies on international flights.

I miss tiny grocery stores across the street. I miss knowing the people who work there and being able to buy few things at a time because I can easily come back later.

I miss being in shape without thinking about it, and I miss complaining about having to walk everywhere.

I miss ganbian doujiao, chipati, fresh mangoes and mangesteens, roti, Mongolian and Russian chocolate, real olive oil, and hot pot.

I miss all Chinese food.

I miss being different.

I miss friendships that weren't based on conversation.

I miss the terrifying experience of a boda boda ride.

Every once in a while, I miss squatty potties.

I miss children who live on the opposite side of the world.

I miss that feeling of success that comes from finally mastering a new word.

I miss terrible English translations.

I miss jaywalking.
I miss not worrying about small talk and excessive paperwork.
I miss the smell of other places' dirt.

I haven't forgotten the depression of smog, the sting of feeling used, the anxiety of not understanding, and the loneliness of being disconnected from close friends.
But I'm split...and seriously craving fried mushrooms.