Monday Bill went back to work, and I resumed my online work of text editing. Almost immediately I felt that vacation is over and life is back to normal. I can’t seem to shake that conclusion, which both reasoning and sensory inputs belie. I haven’t even tried all the appliances in the condo, yet my routine feels perfectly natural. Are we such creatures of habit that we default to it? Perhaps it helps us survive and thrive by reducing stress and uncertainty. Feeling “at home” is calming.

Although I seem to be settling in here, there are many superficial differences. There are more hummingbirds here, and more snails–we haven’t spotted a banana slug. The Toyota dealer is open for service appointments seven days a week. The drivers are very polite and not in a rush. Alcohol is sold everywhere, including in CVS. The yards are more likely to sport spiky plants and fruit trees, the air is drier, and there is a constant breeze, possibly due to our proximity to the ocean. Right now the weather is cooler, and there is fog in the morning. We also see surfers of all ages all over the place, since we live within walking distance of 3 well-known surfing spots. Tri-tip is a common food, and not knowing what it is a sure sign you aren’t from here.

Unsurprisingly, we picked an area similar to Brookline. The neighborhood residents are educated, working people, many with kids and dogs, and the neighborhood is quiet during the day–even sirens are rare. Nearby restaurants offer great variety and good quality. The national brand names are here–I can still shop at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s–and there are also lots of quirky local places to check out. There are many pedestrians.

The thing I miss most, besides my friends, is a library within walking distance. The thing that throws me off the most is the time difference;  I feel like you are all going to bed really early.