Conversely, Guatemalans will ask how much your left shoe cost you without a second of hesitation. Living in such a money-obsessed, impoverished community has been difficult and bitter, and at the increased exposure to the question "How much?", I find myself fretting for my personal financial future.[...]
Archive for August, 2010
Signing Off: Reverse Culture Shock and Lessons Learned from a Year Abroad
Last week I stepped onto U.S. soil for the first time in a year, and I admit that I’m experiencing a classic case of reverse culture shock. For the first few days I felt a pang of worry before drinking tap water, and was reluctant to throw toilet paper into the bowl. I wondered at [...][...]
Recognizing Difference
I have been disappointed with the education provided by Anakena when I am wearing my red, white and blue lenses. However, the school is quite impressive when you consider that “discapacidades en Santiago, Chile” brings up less than ten relevant results in Google, which is nothing for a city of f[...]
August 26th, 2010 - 8:05 am § in Tips & Resources
Pre-Departure Checklist
I’m packing my bags. My college roommate gets married on Saturday, and I’ll be darned if I miss it. Despite the fact I’m technically already traveling, and at one point my belongings here filled two suitcases, this trip will involve transit through four countries via bus, boat, two[...]
Lessons of Working in Another Culture
Long-term international development work is a unique experience. It’s quite different than just moving to a new city in your own culture to start a job. Not only do you know no one, but you also don’t know the culture and how they work. Can they work as a team? Can they not? Are they effici[...]
Back to San Jose, Back to Excitement
Some might say that cities such as San Jose, Límon and Jaco in Costa Rica are ugly. Reasons for this ugliness might include poor air quality, a plethora of prostitutes searching for wealthy gringos (or vice versa), thieves on every corner, traffic jams, or the large amount of drug dealers. I guess [...]
One Day on Earth: What Story Will You Tell?
One Day on Earth is asking you, me, and the rest of the world to film something you're inspired by on that day, with the hope of creating a time capsule that documents our collective struggles and triumphs. You don't have to be a seasoned filmmaker to participate—cell phones and digital cameras wo[...]
