Reverse Culture Shock in Vancouver

How do I know I've been away from Vancouver for the last 10 months? My neighbor is holding a new baby. That's it. Oh, and the business across the street looks like they had a bit of a fire looking at the long black streaks of soot on the facade of the building. Aside from that, seems like time has stood still.  I am, however, quick to point out the little things that differ from living in Rio, which is driving my husband a bit crazy.

1. Look! The crosswalk button works and I get to cross before another wrinkle forms on my face.
2. I feel deaf because it's so darn quiet.
3. Driving is fun and relaxing again.
4. My feet, my eyes and my teeth are crispy cold when I run outside on the shit-free sidewalk.
5. The oranges have no seeds.
6. I can drink from the tap.
7. Everyone is wearing different shades of black and brown.
8. Eating breakfast with the Christmas lights blinking in the darkness is weird.
9. No one greets me on the street, (unless I know them). It's funny to watch how people pretend not to see me when I cross them on the sidewalk and their reaction when I say: "Good morning!"

I'm not sure that this is reverse cultural shock but more like a higher sense of gratitude and joy in noticing all those little differences that make home, home.

It's also been very apparent that a big part of Christmas as I know it is about coziness; we're all bundled up, sitting with blankets in front of fireplaces with Christmas lights and candles glowing and hot drinks in our hands. There is nothing cozy about Christmas in Brazil. Walking two blocks to see a giant nativity scene by the beach isn't cozy, not when it's 42 degrees out and the kid gave up walking one block ago and no amount of encouraging seems to convince him that seeing baby Jesus is as exciting as I'm trying to make it. Lighting an advent candle isn't that cozy with the air conditioner blowing the wax against the wall. For this Canadian girl, waking up at 5am with my jet-lagged family to be first out in the new snow, now that's Christmas-y.