What's Old is New

One factor that makes returning to a place you have lived before easier is the familiarity of where you lived; generally speaking houses, streets, schools, etc. are where they were.  There are expected changes such as different neighbors, businesses coming/going, new streets/subdivisions, etc.  The adventurous part of returning to a familiar place is not remembering things how they actually are.  Allow me to share some examples of my memory being different than how things are.

 

HUGE vehicles and an abundance of trucks and SUV's.

Massive car dealerships with up to 1800 cars in a lot.

Water fountains--love having free and readily available water.

Ice--in Europe not common and expensive ($10 a bag).

Pumpkins for Halloween, Thanksgiving and all things pumpkin-spice.

Jalapenos--available everywhere and almost free.

OREOS--at least 12 varieties.

M&M's--10 varieties.

Pop-Tarts--12 varieties ($7 a box in Norway).

Lays potato chips--8 varieties.

Pringles--15 varieties.

Cheerios--11 varieties.

Diced tomatoes--6 varieties.

Orange juice--5 varieties.

The amount of variety of food baffles me.  Add into the picture that you also get to choose different sizes and equivalent products from competitors.  I use to complain about the limited selection overseas and now I am overwhelmed.  Recalibrating what is the new normal.