I have not been one to really express my feelings to so many but maybe this will be a good way to track our trip. Yes- as much as I tried to prepare myself for this experience I guess there is just no way around the initial culture shock. Yes, I am experiencing the shock greatly. I am trying my best to look at things differently but I guess time will just take you through this..I'm hoping. The children do not seem to have one bit of culture shock. They have just gone on like nothing has changed. The eyes of children are remarkable actually. They just care about being with other children and as long as they are, they are happy. I however am struggling big time. I love indian food but not having the american food to accompany it is quite a struggle. The humidity here is really very hard to adjust to. I cannot fathom how people here are wearing sweaters and long sleeved shirts and pants and I'm sweating like a pig in my t-shirt and skirt. The servants here do the laundry and cooking and cleaning. They are such kind people..people who are poor and don't have much but they are so willing to do ANYTHING for you. It is very hard for me to even think about giving my laundry to her. In my mind I don't want her to have to do my dirty work when she has so much of her own to worry about. I really struggle with this concept but I guess I have no choice. It's nice to have stuff done for you, don't get me wrong but when I see what she lives for and what she has it just actually makes me sick inside to have to see her work like this. Anyway...I hope this in no way seems like I am complaining. I don't mean to come across this way at all....just wanted to give an idea of what I was experiencing my first time overseas!
Still is a bit cloudy today. Hope you all are enjoying the luxury of America...you really don't know what you have until you don't have it anymore. Take care and hope to write more later.
3 comments:
It is only natural for you to be in culture shock. Give yourself a few more days to settle in. You had wks of prep, then a very long flight, w/a short visit to London. You still have jet lag.
When in "Rome", do as the Romans do ! Do lots of journaling & taking pixs, as well as taking in the sights, to keep yourself busy. America is the only life you've known, so now you have an idea, what a culture shock it was for Sudhir, when he came to America. You get to experience Indian life for just a few wks, & bring all the experiences back here to share w/us (except the chicken thing !) Ha, ha !
We are freezing here, so enjoy the warmth !
Just think of the lessons you are learning on being a servant. The ages of your kids are perfect, if you would have waited until they were teenagers they would have alot harder time with the culture shock. I look forward to hearing about all your adventures...just keep healthy!
Amii and gang
I found your blog thru Amii's...I hope you don't mind me checking in and following you on your trip. This post actually brought tears to my eyes....going from one culture to another is just plain not easy. Thinking about you lots
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