Back to Western Society. . .if only for a few hours

We almost left Naomi behind in Panama (the ticket agent didn't want to let our New Zealand friend through), but we have all made it safe and sound to the U. S. of A. It is so funny what you get used to being in another country and culture, and you don't even realize it until you return. What, I can flush toilet paper down the toilet? What, there's hot water coming out of the hot water tap? What, the taxi has a meter and it works properly? What, I can speak directly to people in full sentences without a translator, si?