It's been a while since I posted, I would like to say that it's been because I've been super busy, but it's probably more because there really haven't big grand moments to talk about. And I guess this blog is just going to be about the day to day...what it really means to live as an expat in a different country and that it isn't always as scary or as romanticized as we tend to make it in our heads.
This is officially my third year living in the Dominican Republic and I can scarcely believe it. Before coming here, I probably couldn't even show you the country on a map let alone tell you anything about it. I just want to share some things I've learned during this journey and how I've grown over the past three years and of course as the school teacher I am, I'm going to make a list so bear with me.
1. Cultures are different, but that doesn't necessarily make one better- One big thing I've learned is that so often subconsciously (or not) we think our own culture is superior because that is how everyone does things where we are. However, being able to truly invest in another culture, I have had the opportunity to see that different doesn't always mean bad. For example, here the people are much more care free and laid back. This characteristic definitely stresses Americans out who don't have the patience to wait in long lines or months for a repair man to finally show up, but it has its advantages when socializing with other people and not constantly feeling your blood pressure soar toward the roof. Also, some things that I thought were super weird when I arrive like throwing away toilet paper, are super normal to me now, like why would you flush paper...weird right?
2. English is harder to understand than Spanish- I struggle understanding Spanish speakers, but I really struggle understanding Spanish speakers talking in English. Who is with me? If I expect to hear Spanish and they attempt to say something in English, I'm usually trying to find the spanish word and get so confused. So, understanding Spanish is much easier I've realized than understanding English with a heavy Spanish accent...who knew?
3. Standing out like a sore thumb- I'm beginning to understand how immigrants feel in the United States. No matter how long they've lived there or how much they have acclimated to the culture, they will always be the foreigners because of how they look. It kind of feels ironic that in the states, it is the people with darker skin that often stand out, well here my pale skin and blonde hair highlight the fact that I was definitely not born in this country. The weirdest part for me actually, has been going back to the States and being "normal" after months of being the "americana" "gringa" and "rubia" I feel like we have a little bit of reverse discrimination because the oddball Americans are treated better than the resident Dominicans.
4. No matter where you go, people are still people and you are still you- This sounds odd, but let me explain. When you go to a new place, you often expect big grand differences and life changing situations, but in reality, most often, things are pretty similar to life back home. People are still people. No matter where you go, you will find people who are very much like you and who you can connect with and people who are very different from you. Also, your habits will follow you to your new place for better or worse. For example, my habit of watching television while completing lesson plans, has definitely followed me here and I have spent waay too much time watching shows while planning and of course the seasonal hallmark movies are a must.
5. You will change- It won't happen over night, but being in a new culture will change you. I didn't really think about this fact until someone came to visit me after not seeing me since I had just arrived in the country a year earlier. They remarked on the fact that I seemed "older" and "different" somehow in a way they couldn't describe. As we adapt to the new culture, we adjust different parts of ourselves and we become somewhat different than when we started. I think from being in this culture, I have become less stressed and worried about what others think and definitely I lot more blunt about what I think. For better or worse, a think a piece of Dominican culture will always be a part of me.
6. People are still people....you are still you....and GOD IS STILL GOD- This is my favorite part about being here: that I can visibly see how God transcends cultures, countries and languages. How a poor Dominican farmer, can cry out to the same God with tears in his eyes and that God hears him and that God knows him and that He knows me. We hear the words omniscient and omnipresent and all knowing all the time associated with God, but being able to physically glimpse how he touches people and speaks to people simultaneously in their own language is astounding. We worship a God...a God who can be at all places at all times, speak in all languages at all times and know everything that goes on at all times. WOW! And the fact that he takes the time to know us each individually is incredible. Of course the rocks would cry out...How Great is Our God?????
