Disclaimer: Before you read this blog, know this is written with my perspective from my month in South Africa, based on the cities my team lived in and how they contrasted to my time in Asia. These could differ based on locations and experience. OK, now you can enjoy!
Who knew that going from 5 months of living in Asia to living in South Africa could bring someone so much culture shock! So here is a little lighthearted blog [I know, I’m stepping out of my box here!] about the side effects that come from going to continent to continent!
You know you have been to Asia when…
- You continue to throw toilet paper in the trashcan.
- You realize you’re now newly cloister phobic when stepping into a shower with walls.
- You continue to take off your shoes every time you enter a building.
- You get easily distracted when having a conversation with someone from hearing everyone else’s conversations around you…and actually understanding!
- You take off your shoes at the first sight of carpet.
- You have to stop and follick in every patch of grass you see.
- You commonly use the phrase “back in Asia.”
- You have frequent roti cravings.
- You get excited every time you see a dog and realize that this one you can actually touch.
- You still introduce yourself as “Me, Meghan. 22. From America.”
- You have lost the capability of forming complete sentences with verbs. “Tarzan. Jane. Tarzan. Jane”
- You hold your pee in fear of not having toilet paper in the bathroom.
- You see mall prices and wish for markets.
- You get excited about actually being able to read the menu at a restaurant…and know what you’re eating.
- You are walking down the street and all you want is to see is a fruit stand.
- You notice how uncomfortable the silence of the streets makes you feel without the constant honking, beeping and sound of mopeds.
- You leave every restaurant and then remember that tax and tip is actually a real life thing. Whoops.
- You miss modes of transportation in the form of the bed of a pickup truck.
- You continue to point with your thumb, never your finger.
- You appreciate the comfort of a tall back chair that allow your legs to bend at a 90 degree angle.
And now I have spent one month in South Africa, a completely new culture where I have adopted words like pleasure, fetch, howsit and cheers, my sentences sound more like questions and my new favorite drink of choice is hot tea. My love of people watching has changed to monkey watching and my new ideal pet is a baby goat.
It’s true that going to 6 countries, 2 continents, countless cities and various environments, you can expect to face some culture shock. From continent to continent, country to country, city to village, you are always curious for what experiences are coming and what you’re going to learn next. But I must say, if I get to travel the world on this beautiful adventure, then bring on the culture shock! I will take it joyfully!
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