I journeyed back to the U.S. for my daughter's college graduation in early December. Peace corps doesn't usually like their volunteers return to the US so early in their PC career because they might not come back. That was actually the case with one of my young colleagues this year. But for me it was a good reminder of why I decided to come to Georgia, and who I was and to bring that back with me. So all in all, it was a great time. Here are some thoughts of reverse culture shock that I experienced on my trip to North Carolina.
I deplaned on the third leg of my flight home, from the 14 hour flight from DOHA, to Phili,
and immediately was struck by how clean everything was in the US. Secondly, how
complaining Americans were. " this line is so long"... I have never heard anyone complain in
Georgia about lines, etc. Maybe they do when the marchutka (little bus) driver stops and goes
to chat with someone in the street, or buy fish or bread from the shop, or check the price of a
rototiller for sale on the side of the road, leaving everyone to sit on the marsh - funny but it
happens more than one would expect. And they complain quietly, when they do.
And I can understand almost everyone. Wow, English! Hurrah. and WATER to drink!
Secondly, I look at a grey haired guy with a spry step about him. Unbelievable! I feel younger
already. In the states, people in their fifties and sixties are vibrant looking, smiling, in shape.
WOW. This is so different from many of the people I meet in Georgia - many of whom are
younger than I, that appear to trudge through each day, with no exercise, talking about their
blood pressure daily. Of course this isn't everyone, but pretty close to it. What else...
PEACE CORPS
Next I stand in line for McDonald's. OK So I missed a fish sandwich. And the fellow in front of
me tells me he was in Peace Corps. It reminds that Peace Corps has over 220,000 alumni . It will
be fun to join that group!
MEAT
So much meat! Who needs all that big steak, salmon filet, half a chicken! We really struggle to
get enough protein in Georgia. Beef, fish, pork, are seldom seen. Chicken... less than one time a
week. Eggs if you live on a farm, otherwise they seem to be a special treat. Lobio (beans) again
are a treat. In my Koda host family, maybe once a month. We eat borscht, or soup with potato
and carrots. Maybe noodles with some cheese on it are common for dinner, and periodically a
cabbage roll is made just for me, Fried potatoes or porridge for breakfast, and from what I
see is they have sweets for lunch! I think I am the only one that brings something like a
sandwich to work for lunch. I have to admit, in the States it was great to grill that first steak,
but I wasn't dying for meat everyday like I was used to before I left the US.
RELATIONSHIPS and AGE
It was wonderful to be back in the US where husbands and wives like each other, go places
together, and actually smile and enjoy each other in social settings. I have seen it in Georgia,
once! I miss that and am so thankful we can have mature relationships with the opposite sex
on so many levels. And since IBM most of my colleagues have always been men, it has been
particularly different here where, especially in the nonprofit space, one is surrounded by
women.... great women, but I really miss my mature male friendships.
And again age... how nice to see...In the US 50 is the new 30. In Georgia , 50 is 60+, in looks
and attitudes. I went home and gained 5 pounds, and lost 30 years. It was great.
Thank you kind gentlemen for the dates, with mature intellectual English conversations, good
wine without toasting each sip, good Italian food, And seeing so many friendly, healthy people
at the Y, again in their 50s and 60+. I really did need this reality check!
VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering is still a new concept in Georgia, as we PCVs can attest to. People take care of
their families, neighbors and close friends, but reaching out to others is a new concept, that we
try to focus on, by training and example. I loved being back in the States and having the Little
German Band let me join them one time for their performance supporting Goodfellows and
the Raleigh Jaycees in a Christmas outing and dinner at the Marriott for underprivledged kids.
We played and entertained with Christmas and German music. It felt great.
GOVERNMENT SPENDING & PRIORITIES
Another big shock, no potholes in NC. You can actually drive down a street straight, without
dodging small craters that haven't been fixed since who knows when. But then again, Colorado
in the springtime can look pretty pockmarked after a tough winter. But US roads and
infrastructure we take for granted.
And while we are on the topic of government handling... some basic things... Universal healthcare
is still a big topic in the US. They can't fix their potholes in Georgia but they take care of their
people's healthcare. What is more important? Let's get over it already America. And yes, I'm
still paying for my kids. This is just the right thing to do, as a Christian, and as a civilized society.
If we want to be completely Machiavellian, we are already paying for the health safety net with
our taxes, why not force people to carry their own weight. It will just take some years to shake
it all out, what with our insurance and law firms lobbying for their self interests. Let's just fix it
and make it right. We are smart people, and this is the right thing to do. OK, so enough of the
soap box.
DOGS
They wag their tails and are happy to see you in the US. In Georgia they do not. They are often
maltreated, treated as watch dogs only, not pets, or are strays. A little puppy today wondered out onto
the highway to release herself. When I tried to shoo her back on the sidewalk. She yelped like
I had kicked her, as I am sure she had experienced already in her young life. How sad. That
being said, cats in Georgia are like everywhere, just as independent as in the US.
HOLIDAY EXCESS
The Christmas holiday in Georgia begins New Year's Eve, December 31st and goes to the
Epiphany. But they don't give gifts like we do, only small ones on New Years. So seeing the
massive displays and remembering all the times we rushed out to get one more toy for the
kids so they would have "enough" seems so overwhelming, and unnecessary from over here.
Yes the excess of everything was so shocking - food, big plates, clothes, big washing machines,
SUVs and minivans, trucks. And speaking of trucks... they don't need no trucks here! :-).
And yes, we are lucky in the US we can afford more and have the supply, but how necessary
are some of the things we crave?
DIVERSITY
My US drycleaners are all Hispanic Americans. My pedicurist (mandatory for Peace Corp
Volunteers, you don’t want to know why) was Vietnamese. Our lectors at church include
Philipinos and many others I think we celebrate our differences, where Georgians are so concerned
about protecting their beautiful heritage that they highlight the differences, but in an
exclusionary way oftentimes.
CRAVINGS
What I took home, and everything was homemade: wine, cha cha, (like grappa) halva ( sesame
seed paste) , churchkella (hazelnuts are dipped in this grape pudding kind of stuff), tonis puri,
(great bread make in special kilns) chocolates, gifts from my host families (so thoughtful),
homemade juice, and karkali mereba (walnut preserves, but the walnuts are whole- really
good and interesting).My list to return with included 10 pairs of jeans from Goodwill and lots of American T-shirts
for friends here, many donated by Amanda's friends - THANKS. Also on the list I was missing
was brown sugar, Crest, powdered sugar, rubber bands, a spatula, seasoned salt, and baking
powder. Cinnamon is sold for $.50 here, but it is a tiny envelope - maybe 1 tablespoon. So I
brought back a big jar from the dollar store for $1. ( By the way, they Lari stores here, like our
dollar stores, but small and each one has unique products.
ONE IS SILVER AND THE OTHER'S GOLD
It felt great to be home – with fun captured by some pictures on FaceBook, but here is one
favorite with my good friends Eamon and Noreen, who hosted a party for me in their 'pub'.
How special! I love meeting great new friends, but it was so great to see and be with old
friends. My trip validated and reinforced my mission, which I know I needed. Thanks again
everyone!
As you can see from my blogspot, we always have to disclaim that our "monitored" blogs are our own
thoughts and not necessarily those of the U.S. government or Peace Corps. But I also think I
should add the following; as I diligently try not to stereotype or make assumptions which are as
likely as not erroneous. We are all fools in light of our future selves, someone famous once
said. So forgive my errors and omissions, but appreciate the intent.
So it was great to be in the US - love you all family, friends, customer service reps, and especially
these three.
Now good to be 'back at site' in Koda. I'm a third way through my service... but who's counting?
God bless, kimi