2010.12.23: December 23, 2010: Leanne Moore writes: Peace Corps directors warned us that often re-adjustment to the home culture can be more difficult than the adjustment to Nicaragua at the beginning of our service

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Nicaragua: Peace Corps Nicaragua: Peace Corps Nicaragua: Newest Stories: 2010.12.23: December 23, 2010: Leanne Moore writes: Peace Corps directors warned us that often re-adjustment to the home culture can be more difficult than the adjustment to Nicaragua at the beginning of our service

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Leanne Moore writes: Peace Corps directors warned us that often re-adjustment to the home culture can be more difficult than the adjustment to Nicaragua at the beginning of our service

Leanne Moore writes: Peace Corps directors warned us that often re-adjustment to the home culture can be more difficult than the adjustment to Nicaragua at the beginning of our service

One of the best feelings I remember on my first month or so back home came as I was choosing what to wear for church one Sunday. I decided upon a dress I had bought in Managua but never worn. My hand went to the hanger, but then I hesitated and heaved a huge sigh. "If I wear this dress, everyone is going to ask me how much I paid for it," I thought. In Nicaragua, that question is not rude, and every time I brought out a new item, I got ten questions about how much I paid for it. And every time, I felt like they were asking just to prove to themselves the stereotype that Americans are dripping with money. I hated it when they asked me how much I paid for things. In the midst of my complaining, I suddenly stopped myself with a gasp. "I'm back in the States," I thought as elation rose inside me. "No one is going to ask me how much this dress cost. I can go anywhere I want to in this dress without fear that someone will ask me how much I paid for it." I nearly skipped from the room.

Leanne Moore writes: Peace Corps directors warned us that often re-adjustment to the home culture can be more difficult than the adjustment to Nicaragua at the beginning of our service

Coming back to America

By Leanne Moore
Daily Review Atlas

Posted Dec 23, 2010 @ 05:26 PM

Returning to the U.S. after my Peace Corps service was like the two sides of a coin: on the one hand, there was the sadness of leaving the people with whom I had built relationships over the past two years, and on the other hand, there was the happiness of seeing the friends and family I had missed for the same amount of time.

During our close of service conference, Peace Corps directors warned us that often re-adjustment to the home culture can be more difficult than the adjustment to Nicaragua at the beginning of our service. I, fortunately, did not find it as hard as some volunteers have. I threw my clothes in the washing machine and turned on instant hot running water and stepped almost right back into my home culture with ease. I say almost, because there are still aspects of life that I will never look at in the same way again.

For example, I never take hot running water or a washing machine for granted. Every time I use those amenities, I am grateful. On the other hand, now I notice the amount of complaining that people in the U.S. do. Waiting in line five minutes? I hardly realize I'm waiting, while other people are ready to speak to a manager. Poor customer service? I'm amazed that people at least try to put the customer first.

One of the best things about being back in the States was that all the things I used to take for granted - the things that make life in the States easy - now gave me a thrill of joy. Household conveniences were gifts from above. I can take a walk around town without having men kiss at me or yell at me. I don't have to space out the days I buy heavy things at the store, because I only have to push the cart as far as my car with all of it, not carry it seven blocks to the bus stop.

One of the best feelings I remember on my first month or so back home came as I was choosing what to wear for church one Sunday. I decided upon a dress I had bought in Managua but never worn. My hand went to the hanger, but then I hesitated and heaved a huge sigh.

"If I wear this dress, everyone is going to ask me how much I paid for it," I thought.

In Nicaragua, that question is not rude, and every time I brought out a new item, I got ten questions about how much I paid for it. And every time, I felt like they were asking just to prove to themselves the stereotype that Americans are dripping with money. I hated it when they asked me how much I paid for things.

In the midst of my complaining, I suddenly stopped myself with a gasp.

"I'm back in the States," I thought as elation rose inside me. "No one is going to ask me how much this dress cost. I can go anywhere I want to in this dress without fear that someone will ask me how much I paid for it." I nearly skipped from the room.

Some things tripped me up, though. In Nicaragua, when you pass a person on the street, you tell them goodbye instead of hello. Hello is reserved only for when you want to stop and chat a while. So on my summer day walks, I had to catch myself before I said goodbye to people instead of hello.

The language, oddly enough, was also an adjustment. There were so many Spanish words I had trained myself to use exclusively. And Spanglish was almost like a third language that I tried to use back home, too.

"Can you hand me the … the … what do you call it? I need the sarten!" I'd say, pointing with my lips in characteristic Nicaraguan fashion.

"The frying pan?" my brother said, looking at me quizzically.

"Yes! That's it!" I said, feeling just like I did during the beginning of my service when I struggled for Spanish vocabulary.

I've gotten to the point now where I've readjusted to life in the States again and the English names of things have come back to me. But I'm still a big believer in bringing north the custom of pointing with our lips instead of with our hands. It's way easier.




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: December, 2010; Peace Corps Nicaragua; Directory of Nicaragua RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Nicaragua RPCVs; Reverse Culture Shock; Humor





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Story Source: Review Atlas

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Nicaragua; Reverse Culture Shock; Humor

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