I cherish reading your thoughtful and poignant posts as a way to keep in touch. Regarding being an expat, my Costa Rica experience allowed to step into that space for years. As much as I embraced Tico culture, and was embraced by the people there - and it was deeply felt - in the end, I knew I had to return here, to the U.S., to my "home," as ambiguous as that concept was at the time. So I fought the culture shock, had ups and downs (deep downs) figuring it out again. I made my peace, and my place. But today, I readily admit I am dismayed by what WE have become, and how Americans (not all, but prominent ones) show themselves to be to the world. I cannot imagine being a Peace Corps Volunteer in a foreign country, trying to represent us - US - with today's circumstances at home. And so, I look beyond the "news," under the radar, to find the still vibrant, active, spirit of community at the local level - the village level. It's still there, alive and healthy. Just regular folks in Minneapolis has been one example, as has the Portland Frog Brigade, bless 'em! Those reached the level of "news" thus were advertised, disseminated. But there are literally thousands of other examples not everyone can see. Yet. - Bruce Peet
Beautifully said, and a reminder that there is more than one way to be an expat.
Today I am remembering the man with the tow truck in Minneapolis, who picks up cars abandoned when their drivers are hauled away, finds their owners, and discreetly returns the vehicles to family members.
Each of us must find the specific thing that we can do.
I cherish reading your thoughtful and poignant posts as a way to keep in touch. Regarding being an expat, my Costa Rica experience allowed to step into that space for years. As much as I embraced Tico culture, and was embraced by the people there - and it was deeply felt - in the end, I knew I had to return here, to the U.S., to my "home," as ambiguous as that concept was at the time. So I fought the culture shock, had ups and downs (deep downs) figuring it out again. I made my peace, and my place. But today, I readily admit I am dismayed by what WE have become, and how Americans (not all, but prominent ones) show themselves to be to the world. I cannot imagine being a Peace Corps Volunteer in a foreign country, trying to represent us - US - with today's circumstances at home. And so, I look beyond the "news," under the radar, to find the still vibrant, active, spirit of community at the local level - the village level. It's still there, alive and healthy. Just regular folks in Minneapolis has been one example, as has the Portland Frog Brigade, bless 'em! Those reached the level of "news" thus were advertised, disseminated. But there are literally thousands of other examples not everyone can see. Yet. - Bruce Peet
Beautifully said, and a reminder that there is more than one way to be an expat.
Today I am remembering the man with the tow truck in Minneapolis, who picks up cars abandoned when their drivers are hauled away, finds their owners, and discreetly returns the vehicles to family members.
Each of us must find the specific thing that we can do.