The Small Things I Miss From Every Country I’ve Lived In

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to live in four different countries - five if we include the US - and lately I’ve been reflecting on the small, ordinary things I miss from each place.

Lately, I’ve been trying to slow down and reflect instead of constantly rushing toward the next destination, move, or adventure. When you live internationally, life moves quickly. Countries, apartments, routines, and friendships can all begin to blur together over time.

But when I think about the places I’ve lived, it’s usually not the major tourist attractions or “big” moments I remember most.

Instead, it’s the ordinary things:
the sounds,
the routines,
the smells after it rains,
the familiar walks home,
the restaurants,
the grocery stores,
the feeling of everyday life.

I hope some of these memories resonate with you too, wherever you live or have lived.

USA

At Miller Park with my parents.

I grew up in a very small town in Wisconsin, where everyone seems to know everyone.

Even several years ago, while visiting Door County with my husband, someone randomly started talking to me because they knew my mom. That’s just the kind of place Wisconsin is.

While the winters are bitterly cold, summers in Wisconsin still feel like home to me. I always look forward to spending time outdoors at the lakes, canoeing, paddle boarding, and sitting outside with friends enjoying a good Wisconsin beer.

And of course: cheese curds.

My family still lives in Wisconsin, which makes it even more special to return to every summer.

If you’ve ever spent time in the Midwest, you also know how friendly people are. It’s normal to make conversation with strangers, and honestly, it’s considered slightly rude if you pass someone without saying “hello” or “good morning” - even if you’ve never met before.

There’s a familiarity and warmth there that I still miss.

One of my favorite summer memories is going to see a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game with my family. We always arrive early in the afternoon to tailgate in the parking lot alongside thousands of other fans. People grill burgers and brats, share food and drinks with neighboring groups, play games in the aisles between cars, and spend hours simply enjoying being together before the game even starts.

It feels so uniquely American in the best possible way, and those afternoons have become some of the summer memories I treasure most.

Egypt

I spent two years living and teaching in Cairo from 2010–2012. As I mentioned in my first blog post, this was my very first experience living overseas.

When I first moved there, I hated the early morning call to prayer. Every morning before sunrise, the loudspeaker outside my apartment window would wake me up from a deep sleep.

At the time, it felt disruptive and unfamiliar.

But over time, something changed.

Eventually, the call to prayer became comforting. Familiar. Even grounding.

Cairo, Egypt.

I loved how the city seemed to pause for a few moments throughout the day. No matter where you were, you could hear the call to prayer echoing across Cairo.

One evening, I was visiting a site overlooking part of the city at sunset. As the sky darkened, multiple calls to prayer began at once from different directions.

It was one of the most beautiful sounds I’ve ever heard.

Even now, whenever I hear the call to prayer while traveling, I’m instantly transported back to those evenings in Cairo.

There are also certain sounds that immediately transport me back to different countries. Sometimes when I hear constant traffic late at night or dogs barking in the distance, I’m suddenly reminded of Cairo. I remember standing on apartment balconies listening to the noise of the city continue long after midnight - car horns, conversations drifting upward from the street, the occasional call to prayer echoing across the neighborhood. Even now, certain sounds can instantly bring me back to another version of my life.

I used to fall asleep to the sound of traffic and barking dogs almost every night in Cairo, and now silence feels strange to me! When I go back to the USA, I have to sleep with a fan on because otherwise it’s too quiet.

Thailand

At a beach in Thailand.

Honestly, I could probably write several novels about Bangkok.

There’s something about that city that stays with you long after you leave. I truly cherish my years there and would happily move back someday.

One thing I strangely miss is the brightly colored taxis. Bangkok traffic would be filled with pink, orange, yellow, green, and blue taxis weaving through the streets, and somehow it made even traffic feel vibrant.

I also deeply miss the convenience of Bangkok.

There’s at least one 7-Eleven on nearly every street, and if you’ve ever been to a Thai 7-Eleven, you know it’s a magical place.

The toasties.
The snacks.
The cold air-conditioning after stepping in from the heat.

Nothing beat stopping there late at night for a coconut water and a toastie after being out with friends. I also love the sounds of the tuk-tuks racing down Sukhumvit, or motorbikes whizzing past with the drivers in orange vests. Bangkok feels so alive.

I also miss the energy of Bangkok. It’s a city where people are constantly moving, exploring, eating, working, and gathering together. Even after years there, it still felt exciting.

And one of the greatest luxuries of living in Bangkok was being able to escape to the beach for a weekend.

There was nothing better than finishing school on a Friday, piling into a van with friends, and driving toward the pier near Pattaya. From there, we’d catch a speedboat to Koh Samet - still one of my favorite islands.

By dinnertime, we’d be sitting by the ocean eating a delicious meal and drinking cheap beer while the waves rolled in.

Looking back, I wish I had done it even more often.

China

When my husband and I accepted jobs in Beijing, I genuinely didn’t know what to expect.

Springtime in Beijing.

Unfortunately, Beijing isn’t always spoken about positively in Western media. People constantly warned us about pollution, traffic, and overcrowding. I pictured a gray concrete jungle where I’d spend every day wearing a pollution mask.

But Beijing surprised me in the best possible way.

I loved the wide sidewalks and the sheer number of public parks throughout the city. Everywhere, people were outside living their lives: children playing, elderly couples walking together, people square dancing in the evenings, and dogs being walked through tree-lined paths.

There was so much greenery, especially during spring and fall.

And honestly, the pollution was nowhere near as bad as people had led me to believe. During our five years there, only a handful of days were truly bad. Most of the time, the skies were bright blue and beautiful.

Beijing also had an incredible restaurant scene. Beyond amazing Chinese food, you could find almost any cuisine imaginable. There was also a fantastic craft beer culture that made evenings out with friends especially fun.

After previously living in Egypt and Thailand, I also appreciated experiencing four distinct seasons again. Fall and spring in Beijing were especially beautiful because the entire city seemed to come alive.

It was such an easy city to live outside in, and I really miss that.

India

Chennai, India.

Since Chennai is still my current home, it feels strange to write about it with nostalgia. Instead, these are the small things I’ve grown to love during my three years here.

I truly love the colors and scents of Chennai. There are flowers everywhere, and I can almost always smell jasmine in the air. I love the crisp white clothing many drivers wear and the vibrant saris that brighten the streets every day.

Chennai constantly feels alive with color, movement, and sound.

One of my favorite things about Chennai is the neighborhood familiarity and how the streets are full of people in the early mornings and late evenings. People truly live outdoors here. There’s always movement: people walking to get chai, stopping at fruit stands, chatting outside shops, or gathering together in the evenings.

It’s also special getting to know the street dogs in your area. Even though I have two dogs of my own, I also feel like the street dogs are part of our little pack. We know which ones nap near certain houses, which ones lazily watch people pass by, and which ones happily greet us during our walks.

During monsoon season, I love the freshness after a rainstorm. At night, it’s wonderful lying in bed and hearing the raindrops hit the roof. After the heat of the day, the rain makes the whole city feel softer, cooler, and calmer.

One thing I’ve especially grown to appreciate about Chennai is how quickly ordinary routines become meaningful. Favorite cafés become familiar, fruit vendors recognize you, and certain streets slowly become attached to memories.

My husband and I like to go for walks in the evening, after it has cooled down. We routinely see the same group of three friends walking through the neighborhood together. One always has a rolled-up veshti on and they walk and talk. I love the sense of familiarity and seeing other people have the same routines as us.

Over time, the city begins to feel less overwhelming and more like home.

Final Thoughts

Living abroad has taught me that the things we miss most are rarely the “big” things.

Usually, it’s the routines.
The familiar sounds.
The small comforts.
The places and moments that slowly become part of your everyday life before you even realize it.

And maybe that’s what makes a place begin to feel like home.

Until next time - keep saying yes to the adventure.