How do we relate to people who live in completely different cultures? This was one of my biggest internal questions before the race. I was worried about how we were raised differently, have different struggles in our past, and of course… the language barrier. I was very unsure about connecting with people abroad and building any sort of relationships.
But it’s so easy. It’s built over meals, over dancing and singing together. It’s built through every smile and laugh shared. Even if those laughs come because we keep misinterpreting each other. It’s built over painting a wall together or dancing in the street. It’s built over seeing an old Japanese instrument even when you can’t understand its name at the time.
Community and relationships is about so much more than conversation. It’s about living life together. It’s about accepting one another when you could easily place a barrier between each other.
I do not know half of the peoples names that I was with tonight. But I had a blast. We shared food, dances, karaoke, laughs and so much joy. They are my community right now even if it’s much different than I ever imagined. Even if I can’t communicate clearly, there is love, acceptance and respect.
Community is important. It’s necessary for growth and support. I don’t know everything that this community is going to teach me this month but I know it will be great.
