As I run into various expats, especially those from the Western side of the world, there is an independent nature that many seem to possess. It makes a lot of sense that someone who would be traveling this globe to explore and maybe even "find themselves" would carry this strong streak of independence. We could call these expats/travelers/tourists the Lone Rangers of travel. There is another type of expat that I have also met. The ones who travel with partners.This type seems to be just as common especially as I run into the tourist travelers.They have their buddy or partner with them. Together they are sorting through the experiences of exploring new territory. We could call these the Buddy Systems of travel. As I reflect on the Lone Ranger and the Buddy System, I remember some travels I took in the States in 2016 while John was overseas. He was gone for a 2 1/2 month stint of time. It had been a looooong time since I had lived life as a "single" traveler and it was an experience! In times past (before married life), I reveled at the Lone Ranger type of mentality. Independent, self-sufficient, make it on my own, etc. type of ideas. As I faced singleness again for a few months, I noticed something had changed. Along the continuum of life, I had moved from the Lone Ranger mentality to the Buddy System mentality. It's funny how you don't recognize how the strength of another fills your gaps of weakness until they are not there. In those moments your weaknesses are staring at you in your face. So...As I trekked out in my travels in March 2016 without my buddy, John, I had to improvise. I found that I wanted a travel buddy. I wanted buddies along the way. Being alone was okay, but having the companionship and supply that others bring was much better. Okay...Are you ready for a chuckle? My first implemented plan to have a travel buddy happened while I was on the road. Who was that to be?? Well, Cinnamon the bear (the picture) came into my life during my first travel destination. It came as a gift at a ladies' conference. A nice cuddly teddy bear that took me back to the comforts of my childhood. So, Cinnamon became that stand-in buddy as I drove to various destinations in the 2 1/2 months of John's absence. Now, Cinnamon the bear wasn't actually enough because I needed the supply of other people in my life as well. So I found that my connections with old friends as well as making new friends was so valuable for me. I also found that my inner thoughts and meditations with My Father grew even sweeter to me in this time. By the time that John returned from his journeys, I had found a deeper appreciation for his strengths, wisdom, and simple company. I remember something that had been impressed in my heart during my years of fierce independence. It was such a novel and astounding thought to me in those younger years of life: "You can be too independent. You need to be interdependent." I truly thought you could never be independent enough and I scoffed at the idea of "needing" someone to help me. Now fast forwarding back to current times, I have come to realize there is such a beauty, strength, and high value in interdependence. You begin to see that life is not all about YOU. It is about US. It is about OTHERS. There is a flow of giving and receiving in life. It is a flow that you learn as you experience it. I hope you learn to enjoy that flow as I have. Click on Read More to see some photos of my Buddies in my 2016 travels. Precious people who enriched my life during that time and even to now.
0 Comments
I recently became fascinated with this word, “eclectic”. It means “made up of or combining elements from a variety of sources”. Then the light bulb went on. I am part of an eclectic group of people…Internationals or Expatriates. When I make visits back to my home land, it’s a little odd being surrounded by people who look like me, think like me, & talk like me. Of course, there are differences because we are all individuals. But overall, I am in a sea of Americans when I return to the USA. And when I am in my international community, I am a little tadpole in a big pond of other fish! AND, I have grown to like that most of the time! So how did this change happen?? When I first immersed myself in another nation, culture and international community, I was far from comfortable! It was all so odd feeling! First, there is the part of being THE foreigner. Some people accept you into their culture and way of life. Then others reject you, make fun of your differences, or push you away due to their shyness. “Oh, you’re the farang (or) the tay” …depending on the country and the language. (There’s always a term for the foreigner.) Second, there is the side of being part of the International community in the country you live in. In one way, it unifies you with people from all over the world. You each speak some level of English and are living in a nation that is not your own home nation. But then, you come to realize, there are still differences and you can still feel like the “odd” one. It can be uncomfortable when:
A smile, a hand shake, a Y, a “hello” or xin chào or sawadee ka.... A “thank you” or cảm ơn or kop khun ka… All of these little gestures can mean big things as you move through your day to day life with people. "Oh, but I don’t know their language or their culture!" Well, that maybe true AND I would encourage you, do what you can do to show you notice them and care for them as a person. It has been amazing to me how through the barrier of language and culture, love can still get communicated and felt. Love is an amazing force in human life. And it is the little things that can communicate that love to others. Acts of kindness are amazing things!! Another little thing that can produce bigger results than you suspect is PICTURES. I have found that keeping my words simple and using pictures bridges gaps of communication. There is the saying “A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS”. YES!!! This is so true!! When I entered into expat living in Asia, I would chuckle at the LINE app we used with friends for communication. There were so many stickers! And many of our Thai friends used the stickers to communicate feelings, expressions, & actions across the language barrier. I found it funny communicating this way and yet helpful and convenient. THEN I got introduced to the emojis and stickers on FB!! Wow! Where have I been?? In my 50 plus year old American culture thinking…that’s where. I now find it FuN and helpful to use stickers, emojis, and pictures in communicating…even to my English-speaking friends! Part of my life is creating and presenting power point presentations of various types to groups of people. Again, I find pictures communicate volumes to people by capturing their attention, sparking their curiosity, and clarifying points being made. For fun take a look at the pictures below and think…(CLICK READ MORE) 1. "What do these pictures communicate to me? And then ask yourself… 2. "What Little Things can I do to increase connection with people in my life?? THEN.... 3. "What stories can I create with each picture?" Do this with a friend or 2 and make it a game! "The best story wins!" hahaha! Have Fun! Be Creative! And Enjoy connecting with others! |
AuthorCindy writes about her adventures, observations, and other nuggets from living in another nation. She and John live in SE Asia. She will also share nuggets from her 58 plus years of life. Categories
All
|