I’ve been back in Australia for two months now, and aside from the usual post-travel blues of a traveler who finds themselves stationary for a while, I’ve found myself missing specific things about where I’ve been for the past year.

When I returned to Australia last year after my first round the world backpacking adventure, I had a very difficult time settling back in. I wrote the post Leaving is So Much Easier than Coming Back which is relevant to a lot of people, whether they travel long-term or just return from a short getaway.

This second time coming back in however, I found to be not quite so difficult. Yes, I am again feeling the isolation of someone who’s desire is to be elsewhere. Yes, it is still difficult integrating back into a first world society who’s focus is far more materialistic than the places I’ve spent the past year, but it’s not as bad this time around.

I think this is mainly due to this being the second time, and not just for me but my friends and family as well. Knowing the difficulties I faced last time and being more prepared for what to expect this time has certainly made everything easier. My friends and family are also more understanding of my life, my goals and my plans for the future.

So now that I’ve been back in Australia for a little while and have settled into a (reasonably) regular routine of working, playing and living life I find myself missing more specific things from my recent stay in South America.

I miss the exotic fruits and vegetables of Ecuador and Peru. I miss going to a crazy market where the produce is not perfect but rather misshapen, bruised and covered in dirt. I miss stall holders offering me a taste of whatever fruit I’m interested in, and I especially miss the price. In Australia fresh produce is so ridiculously expensive. In Ecuador I would pay USD$0.50 for a huge bunch of fresh basil or coriander/cilantro, but in Australia half the amount costs USD$3.00 and it’s covered in plastic packaging.

I also miss the crazy public transport systems that exist throughout most of South America. Jumping on and off city buses, trolebus’s, teleferico’s and taxi’s for often as little as USD$0.25 to get around the city. Sure the buses aren’t even close to new, usually don’t have air-conditioning and you may find a guinea pig, chicken or some other animal walking under your feet. But you can also buy fresh locally made food from the seller’s that jump on every hour or so. Homemade empanadas, fried chicken, corn or humitas sold minutes after they’re made are hand delivered to you.

But mostly I miss the people. Sure Australian’s are friendly and enjoy life, but the culture is not the same as the latino South American culture. In Colombia, tables of people in cafes and restaurants often just begin talking to each other. If I were to walk through a bar in Peru, most likely someone would stop me and ask how I was doing or if I was looking for something. Conversations start easily between strangers, people talk on buses, in restaurants or whilst sitting in parks. I’ve realised that doesn’t happen here in Australia, at least not to me. I miss the openness of people, the lack of exclusion that exists so heavily in first-world cultures.

But as I said in the beginning I’ve had an easier transition this time, for which I’m incredibly grateful, and am looking forward to my next adventure.