First Observations on Returning to the United States
May 14, 1988

• People on the airplane were speaking "American" (using words such as gonna, wanna, gotta).
• The grass was green. Spring already!
• Lots of American flags were flying. Large flags.
• "Welcome to Chicago"--the signs were spelled correctly.
• Toilets were well-marked and easy to find.
• Toilets were sparkling clean and had toilet paper.
• Rest rooms were free!
• The lines through customs were orderly and moved quickly.
• The forms asked for month/day/year, not day/month/year.
• The customs official knew someone in Anchorage.
• No customs checks or baggage search.
• The luggage arrived immediately.
• The woman at the Information Desk had all the information we needed and more.
• When we asked for directions, people were specific and didn't just wave their hand.
• Signs were everywhere. It was nearly impossible to get lost. The escalator even had a sign that said "Up" (as if we couldn't tell).
• People smiled and looked me in the eye.
• A package of gum cost $.65.
• The ticket agents were fast, courteous and efficient.
• Shelves of new books filled the bookstore, the latest books.
• I could browse without anyone pressuring me to buy something.
• Someone handing out religious literature thought we looked European.

It felt good to be back.

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