Alright, let's talk for a minute about culture shock. Let me just tell you, it's real! Many people experience it in different ways. For some it involves not wanting to be where they are and trying to find any reason or way to get home. For others it involves random involuntary tears. Then there are those who physically get sick. In any case, It is ridiculous and no one really knows how to explain it. I was told over and over how normal it is to have culture shock. The Dominican Republic is hot, we lack power, our water situation is sketchy, the shower barely works, and many other things, but I love it. We talked about all these things in training and many things I found similar to that of a river trip so I didn't feel the need to worry, nor did I expect culture shock to set in so fast..
I imagined saying my goodbyes and leaving would be the hardest part, but it turns out the fourth day is the hardest for me. Maybe my mind and heart finally caught up to the fact that I'm living In a 3rd world country for the next 4 months. My culture shock came in the way of random involuntary tears. I would be talking to someone about nothing in particular and I would just break down. It's not that I don't want to be here or find it hard to live in these conditions, I think my mind is just overwhelmed. I also think I have too much free time.
If any of you know me well at all you know I like to stay busy, I always like to have something to do. Well so far being here I have had more hours of free time than anything else and it is driving me crazy. The head teachers keep saying that once we start teaching we will have even more free time. I don't know what to do with myself.. Any Ideas?
Adventures of the day: spontaneous tears during phone conversation, wandering the streets with 15+ children and having a dance party. Lesson Planning.
I was just telling someone today that I was worried about how much free time you would have when I found out you would only be in the class for a few hours each day. You need to find the nearest old people and spend your extra time with them :). As for the tears, I am afraid they come at you naturally because the rest of us are criers too under the right circumstances. You are just in the perfect storm of circumstances...excitement from being there, you are finally letting yourself feel from leaving home (you were way too brave when we said goodbye), uncertainty about how next week will be etc. Your brain and emotions will adjust and you will learn to appreciate light switches and running water more than the rest of us! Love ya girl and you got this and then some. Hang in there :)
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