Things I Miss About the United States as an Expat
I often get asked what I miss about life in the United States as an expat/diaspora in Addis. Answering that question is difficult: aside from dependable running water and electricity, I think this answer depends on what your lifestyle and interests were prior to moving.
Here are some unique factors that make up my identity:
I was born and raised in New York City in the late 1980s, hence I’m a quintessential millennial & a New Yorker.
I love food. So much. I am very sensate and I can detect the smallest dash of flavors added to any dish, whether it’s turmeric, sage, or coriander.
I live in a digital world and truly love optimizing tech.
I love strategy & organization. When I’m not blogging, I consult a wide range of clients on organizational strategy and operations.
I love books, particularly autobiographies & self-help ones.
Now, that you know a little more about where I’m coming from, here are the things I most miss about the US:
Flavored iced coffee with non-dairy milk: people stare at you like you’re from outer space when you ask for iced coffee at most places in Addis. In the birthplace of coffee, coffee is drank piping hot. The hotter the better. I have yet to find oat milk though I have seen rice milk and soy milk once or twice at the supermarket (though not consistently in stock.)
Innovative fitness classes: From SoulCycle to OrangeTheory to PureBarre, metropolitan cities in the US are filled with fitness classes that challenge you to workout without really feeling like you’re working hard. Then you leave and walk to get your iced caramel macchiato with oat milk. THAT’S WHAT WE DO, Y’ALL! And that’s hard to find in Addis (as in, I haven’t found it yet.)
The ability to walk everywhere is of utmost importance to me, and that becomes increasingly vital when traffic could literally kill your entire day. However, I have yet to meet a diaspora/expat who walks consistently in Addis.
I miss healthy, delicious food options while dining out. I’ve found one location in Addis that has casual, healthy dining named Sosha but do not have several on rotation like I did in the US. I miss Cava, Sweetgreen, and Chipotle (ok, the last one is not so healthy but it’s still a favorite!) I miss the local, organic, overpriced juice bars and açaí bowl joints. Also, I miss saying “I want juice” and having a shared understanding that the juice generally shouldn’t contain avocado unless I specifically ask for it…? No? Just me? Maybe.
I miss Michelin star restaurants that change their menus up consistently, and put great stock in every orgasmic bite you take. Don’t get me wrong. Ethiopian food is orgasmic as a category but a large diversity of food options is somewhat missing here.
Gone are the days of realizing I left my wallet at home, but paying with Apple Wallet from my iPhone. On the contrary, I walked into a bank this morning to withdraw money and I was told there’s no money at that branch. And listen, word to the wise: losing your shit in a bank or government office rarely gets you anywhere but on the black list, so I humbly hung my head and walked in search of a branch that may have the cash.
Omg, I miss The Container Store, Target, and Bed, Bath, & Beyond so, so much. If anyone wants to open a franchise here, sign me up to join you on your noble venture. I miss walking down the brightly lit aisles in Target to discover yet another sparkly planner I don’t need but want; gorgeous wrapping paper for that birthday party next weekend; a bug spray that promises to actually do the trick and isn’t harmful to children. I miss finding cute containers that are made for function just as much as they are for style at The Container Store. I miss staring at two comforter sets at BB&B for 10-minutes wondering which one will last longer. I miss standing in line to buy my comforter and smelling all the hand-sanitizers and candles that keep you company as you waltz to the check-out counter.
I used to spend lazy Sundays at Barnes & Noble. I practically lived there. I’d grab a stack of books and magazines and sit at the cafe where I’d order an iced latte with oat milk and set up shop for hours. In fact, I loved BN so much that I cried real, actual tears when the BN in Bethesda, MD —the branch that was closest to me— shut down to make way for a gigantic Anthropologie a few years ago.
In a few posts (here & here), I’ve shared how joyful Addis living can be. And to be honest, one can do without the insane consumerism culture listed above. Above all things, I (and I should say ‘we’) desperately miss our friends and family in the United States every single day.