This is an almost text-book example of reverse culture shock, where after living abroad you take on enough of the cultural norms, that home seems almost alien to you.
You're probably right, I should have changed the headline here (I didn't write the story), but I found it so interesting and worth sharing that I totally not thought about it.
Also the link to "reverse culture shock" in the story added a reason for me to share it here (doesn't always have to be about tech, I personally enjoy non-tech stories on HN a lot, because my whole life is tech already :) )
For tech and product, sure - there's no alternative. For travel and geography I don't think I remember a case of it not being specific. Maybe that;s a UK habit.
The author was away from home for so long that his new territory felt more like home.
Confused and overwhelmed at mixed feelings regarding his return, he felt homesick for the alien culture that he came to enjoy so much, while he was travelling abroad.
He was thus disappointed by the inversion of feelings he was originally expecting. He is not happy about returning to America.