Lost in Translation

Do you ever feel lost in a new country? Or perhaps you are just shocked out of your mind from all the chaos and unfamiliarity? What about when you follow the same path everyday for months in this world of craziness?

The other day I was walking on my usuall route through bustling markets selling fish, squid, hanging pieces of meat (I assumed it was beef or pig), birds, nuts, dried seahorses, fruit and many other things (some of which I don’t even know). Now for the average Canadian this would have been a movie scene and the smells and sensors would probably be on the edge of explosion. I on the other hand was just passing by on my way home and for a brief moment in time thought “some of these people I see everyday…it feels good to be home.”

Well my friend the verdict is simple…culture shock comes and goes in many forms. I walk past snakes and frogs being sold, chicken being slaughtered and feathered in this far off land and never once has it been a shock to my system. Whether I am habituated to funkiness, completely messed up or just adjust instantly it is unknown to me. The real problem is when I go back home. Yes…the dreaded reverse culture shock! It makes me turn blue and then I vomit from the plentyness, normalness, and boringness. I am addicted to the unusual.