These encounters filled my jeepnee ride with curious thoughts about the stages of culture shock- or getting over it- and what you call that stage when things that were once normal and commonplace are now so surprising they stop you in your tracks. Of course, little do I accept that even as we walk down the street here, most Filipinos will steal a second glance, if not outrightly stare at us. I guess don't feel entirely out of place anymore, and that was only confirmed when I came across these little reminders of life in the U.S. It's a curious mix between sometimes forgetting I'm so different and sometimes being deeply immersed in the reality that we're all just the same. --------------------------------
And now for the action-adventures ---------------------------- When I got to the Jeepnee terminal, I climbed into the Calambanga jeepnee, which filled very quickly. That is always a good thing because sometimes the jeepnee won't leave until it is nearly full, or the driver will drive very slowly still trying to get more passengers. Anyway, the jeep was so full that there was no room for the last passenger, so I offered to let her have my seat. Gentlemanly, you might think. In truth, it was a selfish move. See, when the woman took my seat, it meant that I got to ride on the back of the jeepnee, with my feet on a small platform, standing up straight holding onto a thin roof-rack welded to the top. This is a ride I have wanted to experience since I first saw it done in Manila! Because the jeepnee was full, the driver wasted no time. We sped away quickly, wind blowin through my hair, my back comfortably extended fully, and the muscles in my body flexing to maintain their balance on the small platform against the movement of the jeep. What a rush! We were riding along at about 40 miles/hour and I was thinking of the rush of jet-skiing. God must have decided that this was a good analogy because he felt the need to add a little water. So, here I am, cruzin on the back of the jeepnee, rain pelting me in the face - not lots, just hard- and still the wind in my hair and an ear to ear grin. I think the fare collector who was also hanging on the back thought I was nuts cuz I wouldn't stop smiling! Finally, when we were almost to Calambanga, enough people had got off the jeep that the fare collector insisted I sit down. I obliged him, but took home the sweet thrill of an on-road rollercoaster. I'll definitely take that ride every chance I get! ------- Today's adventure was my first ride on the back of a motorcycle. This story is probably less exciting to those of you who are motorcycle enthusiasts, but for me, it was another great ride. Of course, the jet-ski analogy returned immediately, but as we sloshed our way down the muddy path that leads to GK Bonot, I couldn't help but accept the reality that if you fall off a jet-ski, the water is much kinder than the land is if you fall off a motorbike. To add to the excitement today, the rain was thick and falling fast our whole 4 km ride. Riding the bike, I decided, was a little more like sailing- you're whole body flexed to maintain your balance on a constantly shifting terrain- especially in the mud! I should mention that motorbikes are a regular form of transportation throughout the Philippines. In spite of the obvious safety risks which are increased exponentially by the lack of driving courtesy here, the bikes offer an affordable and highly efficient mode of transportation. It was one more thing I really wanted to try. Now, for you motorcycle enthusiasts, a practical question: What does one do when the motorbike necessarily comes to short and sudden stops? The strain on my arms was quite intense. Any suggestions? ------- That's it for today(other than walking through ankle-deep typhoon rainfall). Heather and I are continuing our work in Bicol. I have been working with a new site - GK Bonot - that I hope to continue working with for several months. We'll see what mission control says. Keep us in your prayers, and know that you are in ours! Peace Out!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Some things you do 'cuz you hafta...
...But some things you do cuz you wanna! I've had some cool and crazy adventures in the last few days- adventures in ordinary ways, that is. But before that, I'm wondering if anyone out there has conducted or read any good research on phases or stages of Culture Shock. You probably know that Culture Shock is a common experience of travelers abroad. It is the physical and psychological response to being immersed into a whole new world - a new culture - that is so foreign it overwhelms the senses. Well, like all living things, most humans have the capacity to adjust, and they do, and things which were once foreign become ordinary. Has there ever been a study done about when the process reverses??? Here's what 'm talking about: Two days ago, Heather and I were walking down the street, and a bunch of teens were going into a school. We both did a double-take when we noticed a young blond fellow standing a head taller than the rest of the crowd, but wearing the same uniform, and obviously also on his way to school. Then yesterday, I was walking out of the small street shop where we had lunch, when out of the corner of my eye I noticed a Caucasian man sitting on a stool behind the service counter. Catching my glance, he stood up and introduced himself. Terry is not just from the U.S., but he is actually from the west suburbs of CLEVELAND!!!! I learned that he had been in Naga for about 1 year, and that he would soon be married to the women who owns and runs the shop where we had lunch. Basically, he was just hangin there with his lady. As I walked away musing about my run-in with a man from Cleveland in the middle of Naga, I passed another tall Caucasian (I avoided his gaze, however, because I was late for my jeepnee). I hopped a trike to the jeepnee terminal, and while entertaining a thought resembling "Wow, my whole world is turning white!" (excuse the ego-centric racism for a moment) I looked up and landed my eye on the Nagaland YMCA! I couldn't believe it!
These encounters filled my jeepnee ride with curious thoughts about the stages of culture shock- or getting over it- and what you call that stage when things that were once normal and commonplace are now so surprising they stop you in your tracks. Of course, little do I accept that even as we walk down the street here, most Filipinos will steal a second glance, if not outrightly stare at us. I guess don't feel entirely out of place anymore, and that was only confirmed when I came across these little reminders of life in the U.S. It's a curious mix between sometimes forgetting I'm so different and sometimes being deeply immersed in the reality that we're all just the same. --------------------------------
And now for the action-adventures ---------------------------- When I got to the Jeepnee terminal, I climbed into the Calambanga jeepnee, which filled very quickly. That is always a good thing because sometimes the jeepnee won't leave until it is nearly full, or the driver will drive very slowly still trying to get more passengers. Anyway, the jeep was so full that there was no room for the last passenger, so I offered to let her have my seat. Gentlemanly, you might think. In truth, it was a selfish move. See, when the woman took my seat, it meant that I got to ride on the back of the jeepnee, with my feet on a small platform, standing up straight holding onto a thin roof-rack welded to the top. This is a ride I have wanted to experience since I first saw it done in Manila! Because the jeepnee was full, the driver wasted no time. We sped away quickly, wind blowin through my hair, my back comfortably extended fully, and the muscles in my body flexing to maintain their balance on the small platform against the movement of the jeep. What a rush! We were riding along at about 40 miles/hour and I was thinking of the rush of jet-skiing. God must have decided that this was a good analogy because he felt the need to add a little water. So, here I am, cruzin on the back of the jeepnee, rain pelting me in the face - not lots, just hard- and still the wind in my hair and an ear to ear grin. I think the fare collector who was also hanging on the back thought I was nuts cuz I wouldn't stop smiling! Finally, when we were almost to Calambanga, enough people had got off the jeep that the fare collector insisted I sit down. I obliged him, but took home the sweet thrill of an on-road rollercoaster. I'll definitely take that ride every chance I get! ------- Today's adventure was my first ride on the back of a motorcycle. This story is probably less exciting to those of you who are motorcycle enthusiasts, but for me, it was another great ride. Of course, the jet-ski analogy returned immediately, but as we sloshed our way down the muddy path that leads to GK Bonot, I couldn't help but accept the reality that if you fall off a jet-ski, the water is much kinder than the land is if you fall off a motorbike. To add to the excitement today, the rain was thick and falling fast our whole 4 km ride. Riding the bike, I decided, was a little more like sailing- you're whole body flexed to maintain your balance on a constantly shifting terrain- especially in the mud! I should mention that motorbikes are a regular form of transportation throughout the Philippines. In spite of the obvious safety risks which are increased exponentially by the lack of driving courtesy here, the bikes offer an affordable and highly efficient mode of transportation. It was one more thing I really wanted to try. Now, for you motorcycle enthusiasts, a practical question: What does one do when the motorbike necessarily comes to short and sudden stops? The strain on my arms was quite intense. Any suggestions? ------- That's it for today(other than walking through ankle-deep typhoon rainfall). Heather and I are continuing our work in Bicol. I have been working with a new site - GK Bonot - that I hope to continue working with for several months. We'll see what mission control says. Keep us in your prayers, and know that you are in ours! Peace Out!
These encounters filled my jeepnee ride with curious thoughts about the stages of culture shock- or getting over it- and what you call that stage when things that were once normal and commonplace are now so surprising they stop you in your tracks. Of course, little do I accept that even as we walk down the street here, most Filipinos will steal a second glance, if not outrightly stare at us. I guess don't feel entirely out of place anymore, and that was only confirmed when I came across these little reminders of life in the U.S. It's a curious mix between sometimes forgetting I'm so different and sometimes being deeply immersed in the reality that we're all just the same. --------------------------------
And now for the action-adventures ---------------------------- When I got to the Jeepnee terminal, I climbed into the Calambanga jeepnee, which filled very quickly. That is always a good thing because sometimes the jeepnee won't leave until it is nearly full, or the driver will drive very slowly still trying to get more passengers. Anyway, the jeep was so full that there was no room for the last passenger, so I offered to let her have my seat. Gentlemanly, you might think. In truth, it was a selfish move. See, when the woman took my seat, it meant that I got to ride on the back of the jeepnee, with my feet on a small platform, standing up straight holding onto a thin roof-rack welded to the top. This is a ride I have wanted to experience since I first saw it done in Manila! Because the jeepnee was full, the driver wasted no time. We sped away quickly, wind blowin through my hair, my back comfortably extended fully, and the muscles in my body flexing to maintain their balance on the small platform against the movement of the jeep. What a rush! We were riding along at about 40 miles/hour and I was thinking of the rush of jet-skiing. God must have decided that this was a good analogy because he felt the need to add a little water. So, here I am, cruzin on the back of the jeepnee, rain pelting me in the face - not lots, just hard- and still the wind in my hair and an ear to ear grin. I think the fare collector who was also hanging on the back thought I was nuts cuz I wouldn't stop smiling! Finally, when we were almost to Calambanga, enough people had got off the jeep that the fare collector insisted I sit down. I obliged him, but took home the sweet thrill of an on-road rollercoaster. I'll definitely take that ride every chance I get! ------- Today's adventure was my first ride on the back of a motorcycle. This story is probably less exciting to those of you who are motorcycle enthusiasts, but for me, it was another great ride. Of course, the jet-ski analogy returned immediately, but as we sloshed our way down the muddy path that leads to GK Bonot, I couldn't help but accept the reality that if you fall off a jet-ski, the water is much kinder than the land is if you fall off a motorbike. To add to the excitement today, the rain was thick and falling fast our whole 4 km ride. Riding the bike, I decided, was a little more like sailing- you're whole body flexed to maintain your balance on a constantly shifting terrain- especially in the mud! I should mention that motorbikes are a regular form of transportation throughout the Philippines. In spite of the obvious safety risks which are increased exponentially by the lack of driving courtesy here, the bikes offer an affordable and highly efficient mode of transportation. It was one more thing I really wanted to try. Now, for you motorcycle enthusiasts, a practical question: What does one do when the motorbike necessarily comes to short and sudden stops? The strain on my arms was quite intense. Any suggestions? ------- That's it for today(other than walking through ankle-deep typhoon rainfall). Heather and I are continuing our work in Bicol. I have been working with a new site - GK Bonot - that I hope to continue working with for several months. We'll see what mission control says. Keep us in your prayers, and know that you are in ours! Peace Out!
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