My name is Nancy W; and I can say for me, yes, reverse culture shock is all too real. I hope that you remember me. For newcomers, I lived in Hamburg from April 1998 to June 2002. We moved from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Hamburg; and we are now home.

My first days back were a mixed blessing. We were busy some of the time building our new home. I think I started experiencing the "shock" when we went out to eat. The restaurants were noisy; the portions served were way too large. The service was: “What do you want (while sitting next to me), here is your food, and this is the check. Hurry up, eat and leave, we need the table for other people.” No longer could we sit and talk to one another (without screaming) and stay for hours if we so desired. There were no fresh flowers on the table, no nice table cloth and the flatware, well let's say, was made of tin, almost the same weight as plastic. These restaurants are sit-down places.

My next shock was the grocery store. I had forgotten that the cereal aisle was the whole aisle top shelf to bottom shelf – so many choices I couldn't decide. I saw cleaning supplies I had no idea even existed, let alone what to clean with them. Things came in super sizes, and we had lemon this and orange that, sprays, wipes you name it. I looked for bread and fresh crunchy-on-the-outside rolls – no good choices to be found. I did find some San Pellegrino water and even some cheese from Germany. I spent at least two and a half hours the first time, and I was just as overwhelmed as my first trip to the Spar supermarket.

My first Wednesday rolled around; and I thought, is it time for the AWC lunch or is it the Morning Coffee Group? I then realized I was home, and I wouldn't get to attend and see my friends. I wasn't going to attend this function or that one, and my friends were going on without me. I really understood reverse culture shock. My life as a "Lady Who Lunched" was really over, and I wasn't getting back on the plane to go home to Hamburg.

In your mind's eye, even though you come back for visits, family and friends remain where you left them four years ago. To my dismay, I found that they had moved on with their lives, and I really didn't fit in. Most people don't want to hear that I lived in Germany; they can't relate unless they too have lived in a foreign country. I don’t say too much about the 14 countries we visited and what we saw unless questioned. I don't want anyone to think I am bragging.

We are slowly getting Americanized once more. We have both learned that we have changed; we are no longer just Americans but also expats. I am now working (boy, do I miss those days of leisure), and the "shock" is slowly going away. I know not everyone has these same experiences, but this is my story. Would I change anything? No way, I loved my time in Hamburg and the many new friends I made. I miss each and every one of you.