Due to the technological marvels of our time, it is now possible to travel from Rome, Italy to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in less than 24 hours. Some things are going to take getting used to again:

• Border control that takes more than 30 seconds to get through
• Seven-hour time shift
• Lame architecture
• Neglected public space
• Driving everywhere
• Serious customer service
• Getting really full at a restaurant
• Ice in my drink
• Free refills
• Clothes dryers
• Wooded landscapes
• Lawns
• Garages
• Huge, empty highways
• A 95% decrease in population density
• Quiet
• Clean air
• Living more than a 15-minute walk from amazing feats of ancient architecture
• Green money
• Indoor drinking fountains
• Wallet in the back pocket
• Etc.

My neighborhood in Iowa.

My neighborhood in Rome.