otherwise known as culture shock

I’m thankful for our training in cultural adjustment.  Stage 1, where you think everything is wonderful, has come and gone.  I remember thinking that our old, ungrounded stove that was prone to shock you was…quaint.  But now, I think my rose-colored glasses have been replaced by smog-smudged ones.  Please don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy life here.  However, my perspective has shifted a little.  And because of what I’ve learned about culture shock and adjustment, I’m not feeling guilty about the new perspective.  I am trying to be careful, though, to not let this turn into license to complain about everything.

That said, this isn’t going to be a complaint post.  But if it were opposite day in Costa Rica, I could make the following statements:

I love rice and beans.
I love dog poop on the sidewalks.
I love metal playground equipment.  It’s a toss up between the rusty ones and the crusty lead-paint ones.
I love how taxis drive up and down our road, laying on their horns, letting everyone know they are available.
I especially love it when very special taxis do that very same thing, but at 4:00 in the morning.
I love that car alarms are the soundtrack of our day.  And sometimes our nights.

About the Author

Jil

5 Responses to “ otherwise known as culture shock ”

  1. This post made me smile AND pray for you.

  2. Opposite day…how creative Jil! To echo Christa, it made me laugh and sobered my prayers for you guys!

  3. Man, are you going to LOVE Argentina!

  4. I am craving rice and beans right now. Pregnancy does funny things to me. Praying for you.

  5. What a horrible post! I certainly hope this doesn’t becomes a series of “opposite day” posts! I didn’t even crack a smile. Mmmm dog poop and honking horns - sounds amazing.

    :-)

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