by Amy
When preparing to move to a new country, there's always tons of discussion about culture shock. When you get to a new place, things are so different, that at first you think it fun and exciting, but after 2-3 months, the honeymoon's over and the reality/shock sets in. This place is weird. Why do they do it that way? America's system is way better/effective/safer, you name it.
I don't feel like we ever went through the whole culture shock thing after we moved here. Looking back, I attribute it to several things. First of all, I was in contact with a couple of Americans that live in our city. I was able to ask them tons of questions, thus able to have a pretty good idea of what I was getting myself into. Secondly, I had pretty low expectations. Having been out of America twice before, once to Africa and once to war-torn eastern Europe, I expected trash to be ever where, for grocery stores to be non-existent, for my home to be pretty rugged, etc. When I got here, I was pleasantly surprised. Thirdly, I know America is not the best place on the earth. Lots of things are great there, but there are lots of problems too. I (try to) realize that my American way is not the only way, or even the best way to do things. Finally, I'm married to Brad. He he helps me laugh rather than get stressed.
While we were on vacation in SE Asia, I often found myself enjoying many aspects of being in a more developed (if that's the right word for it) country. For example, English is on most of the signs, the majority of the food products in the grocery store, and many store clerks are even able to speak English. The malls put the Galleria to shame. They are huge and have any and everything you can think of. The hospitals/Dr.'s offices we visited were clean --even sterile, high-tech, wonderful, and stocked with reliable meds (And REALLY cheap -- Brad's visit to the ER in the middle of the night, including meds cost $25.) Not to mention the western foods and restaurants available -- incredible. It was also nice to be just another foreigner, not that American family with 3 kids that everyone recognizes, and wants to touch. But, even as I took this in, I never once found myself wishing I lived there instead of here. I thought back on my home - I love our apartment. I like that our taxis use meters, instead of often having to bargain upfront for your ride. Women in my city dress more modestly than women there. Brad and I often found ourselves saying, "This is great, but we are glad we live where we do."
Then, I came home. The cloudless sky was dull and almost gray from all the pollution, not a crisp blue as it had been over the beach. And, I had forgotten how dirty everything is here. Everything is covered with a not-too-fine layer of dirt (cars, trees, sidewalks, roads, hand rails, windows -- everything!) The roads are pretty bumpy and have a few more pot-holes than I remembered. Most of the buildings look run-down because they are so dirty, have paint peeling, or rust stains and often broken windows. The contrast was shocking. When I first came here, everything was so new and exciting. Rather than noticing the peeling paint, I was surprised there wasn't a hole in the side of the building from a grenade. Rather than noticing the dirt, I was thrilled trash wasn't all over the streets.
Last week I was in culture shock. I didn't want to leave the comforts of my apartment. I was irritated at the 100s of shortcomings I saw in this culture, and I wasn't even motivated to contact my local friends. I'm not sure I'm totally out of it now, but the Lord used two things last week to renew my love for this country. First of all, while Savannah was at school, I took the boys to our "pretty park" down the street. Walking through the gate was like walking into a new world. It was dramatically cleaner in the park than anywhere else outside. The birds were chirping; it was fairly warm, for February that is. Lots of people were working in the grass raking, so the park seemed tidy. It was not crowded since it was the middle of the morning. And the people that were there cheerfully talked to me about my boys instead of touching/pulling on them. (They were running too fast to be caught!) As usual, my trip to the park, helped renew my love for this place and these people. Secondly, we went to a lantern festival on our street. I'll post pics later, but basically, it was a fun, energizing, ride-less carnival. People were cheerful and smiling. They were speaking a language that was comforting and familiar, even though I didn't understand everything I heard. I loved being there. And, as I looked around me at the masses, I remembered that I didn't move here for the comfortable, convenient lifestyle this country has to offer. I know why I'm here and again, I can say, I'm glad to be here.
Notice the sign above this guy's head. I think they're a little confused! 
Savannah fed a wolf, then he jerked the stick from her hand. The workers on the bus with us were not too pleased. I guess good sticks are hard to find these days! 
Next came the tigers and bears. 
We actually got out of the cage to view the bears, on the other side of a short wall and deep trench. They looked so soft and cuddly! 
Stay tuned....more flashbacks coming in the near future!
