What do you miss about home?
It’s a common question in ex-pat circles, and I hear it even more now that everyone knows I will be returning to the states in a few short months. Most American ex-pats will probably tell you they miss some specific brands, some familiar food items, a favorite store (Target and Whole Foods seem to be popular responses), and the seasons.
But one response that’s generally unanimous amongst the Yankees? “I miss wide open spaces.”
It’s true: everything in the US is big. BIIIG. Our roads are wider, cars are bigger, people are larger, meal portions are super-sized, and heck – even our toilet paper rolls are thicker. There’s just a general sense of more space.
And this is what I was pondering this morning when my Dad sent me this link to pictures of Deadwood, SD – a town about 400 miles east of where his ancestors settled when they emigrated from Norway in 1882 – and the town of HBO fame.
[all pictures by John C.H. Grabill, via the DenverPost]
They make me feel nostalgic for home. It’s an America that no longer exists (and possibly never existed in the way we romanticize it today), but that reminds me of the spacious skies of my country.
The photos are currently archived in the Library of Congress. Check out the link for more images of frontier life.
http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2011/02/23/from-the-archive-frontier-life-in-the-west/2713/
12 comments
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March 7, 2011 at 10:40 am
Nic
Very cool pics! Although I’m not overseas, sometimes technology and the fast-paced lifestyle makes me yearn for the quiet associated with those wide open spaces…
Unfortunately the Dixie Chicks are now disturbing the peace ;)
March 8, 2011 at 11:13 am
kierstens
Actually, the whole Plog is pretty awesome!
And whatever happened to the Dixie chicks? They kind of dropped off the face of the earth…
March 7, 2011 at 10:49 am
mom
Magnificent pictures of our country from days past. Although times have changed there are still lots of wide open spaces with gorgeous country views and mountain vistas here in the States, you just need to search a little harder to find them. C’mon home!
March 8, 2011 at 11:13 am
kierstens
Comiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!
March 7, 2011 at 1:00 pm
kirsten
I miss the wide open spaces of NZ. It just makes you feel like there’s more air to breathe!
March 8, 2011 at 11:13 am
kierstens
Ooooo I’d love to see NZ, but definitely in the warmer months! I’m not acclimatized to the cold yet…
March 9, 2011 at 10:56 am
kirsten
November is a pretty good time to travel! It’s a bit of a mix of hot and cold.
March 7, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Fidel Hart
Thank you for sharing the pics and the link. I love the photo of the Native Americans. Makes you wander how they acclimated to life on the plains in that weather.
I miss Trader Joe’s, Five Guys, my local barbershop, being able to watch live sports in the afternoon, and running into people I know.
March 8, 2011 at 11:19 am
kierstens
Hmmm, add to the list Junior Mints. My friend brought a box (the super-sized one) back for me and I demolished it all…in one sitting. Oh yeahhhhh
March 7, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Paula
The Dixie Chicks immediately popped into my head! Those pictures are compelling, and it’s true, after being home for a month and now returning to Israel, there is something so special about America. Perhaps it’s the spaciousness, but I also fell in love (again) with the diversity of people, conversations, and opinions. And yes, Trader Joe’s almost brought tears to my eyes. True story.
March 8, 2011 at 11:20 am
kierstens
Don’t hate…but I never jumped on the Trader Joe’s bandwagon. I miss Whole Foods. And Weaver Street Market…..
March 10, 2011 at 12:42 am
bookjunkie
I totally crave for wide open spaces.