Here's a surefire way to give a Peace Corps volunteer a case of reverse culture shock. Remove a volunteer from his country, say, after a year or so at his site, and then drop him in the middle of any food court in the USA, like the one next to my brother's office on K Street in downtown DC.

In this food court you can get Chinese, Mexican, Cuban, Italian, Cajun, Philly Cheese Steaks, Sandwiches, Burgers & Dogs or Greek food. There are also two cafe/bakeries and a Starbucks's. I'm probably even missing something. I went with Cajun (Bourbon Chicken).

Choice in cusine is an almost overwhleming luxury. There are more restaurants within a 15 minute walk of my brother's house in Du Pont Circle than there are in the entire country of Samoa, probably ten times as many. Maybe more. Who knows. The only problem is, it's all so damn expensive.

Today I had lunch at Fuddrucker's. After eating what passes for a hamburger in Samoa (all apologies to the Steakhouse in Apia), eating the 2/3 lb Southwestern burger at Fuddrucker's was mind blowing. And it's not even the best burger in the country. I can't wait to get back to California to sink my teeth into Fatburger and In 'N Out. My arteries are hardening at the mere thought.