Keep the Empirical

Nobody bothers you as you walk down the street.  No one shouts "hen piaoliang" as you pass by.  Some people wave or nod and say "heey" with that long-drawn out vowel that reminds you of where you are.  Grocery store aisles are wider, and streets are far more clean.  Most drivers follow the basic rules of the road such as driving with traffic and not into it.  You find clothes that fit your size and people who understand your normal pace of speech.  Air conditioners don't smell like mold, and the "firm" mattress feels like a pillow.

Yet something is missing.  There's an ongoing search, and no amount of comparison of here and there will really answer the questions.  Perhaps some of us were not meant to be part of a place.  Perhaps I am one of those.