I've lived in Colombia for a year now and I’m currently home
in the United States for summer vacation. I claim “currently home” but in
reality I’m sitting in an airport waiting to catch my flight out and perhaps I
won’t even post this until I arrive back to my apartment in Colombia. Airports
just don’t offer free internet like they used to. At least Microsoft Word does
not demand that connection.
Wow. Where does time go? We've always been told “time flies
when you’re having fun”, so I’m guessing my month home passed so quickly due to
the insane amount of fun and enjoyment I experienced.
Before arriving home, I almost forgot how incredible Michigan is
(particularly the Upper Peninsula, but I won’t exclude the trolls in the final
evaluation of my state.) The beauty of summer is captivating and it’s nearly
impossible to be outside without praising the creator of it all. There is so
much life to celebrate. What a stark
difference from the last time I was on this continent as the grasp of winter
was evident everywhere. Thinking about
the last time I was home also makes me realize how different I am as a person this time around.
An expat returning home. And I’m changed; at times I think I’m turning Colombian.
Obviously, it’s really quite impossible for me to literally turn
Colombian , but that doesn't save me from picking up Colombian
mannerisms. Since returning home I've realized some strange non-USA-like
tendencies that I've pick up from that remarkable country with its incredible
people.
The desire to kiss everyone: For women in Colombia, you are
expected to kiss everyone on a daily basis. I’m not talking eyes closed,
passionate kissing, but rather a brief brush of the cheeks with a kissing sound
that is perhaps followed by a hug. This is the way you say hello. It is the
standard greeting. If you know the person and don’t do this simple gesture it
could be read as being rude or signify that you are upset with the person. I
personally like this little culture quirk but it’s not really acceptable back
in the USA. Not that it would be inappropriate, just it would be weird. After 6
months of doing this, however, it’s hard to just turn it off. So, after seeing
someone I know I go in for the kiss, remember how awkward that would be, and
slip into a hug instead. Good thing I’m a hugger! I think I’m turning
Colombian.
Responding in Spanish: The little things in life that
require responses without thought have a tendency to trigger Spanish. While in
Colombia I spent so much time making Spanish filler words second nature. When
you run into someone in the grocery store you want to be able to quickly
respond, “sorry” or when you want to slide by someone blocking a path you can
naturally ask “excuse me”. Because I have been so deliberate to make words like
these in Spanish slide quickly from my mouth, I have reverted back to them a
few times since I’ve been back. Most of the time people understood what I
wanted, but just didn't understand the words. I think I’m turning Colombian.
Toilet paper in the garbage: Okay, upon moving to Colombia
the biggest problem was reminding myself every time I’m in the bathroom that
toilet paper does not go in the bowl; toilet paper belongs in the garbage. As I've
explained before, the sewage systems just can’t handle it. Now I struggle putting paper in the bowl. After
doing my business I’d catch myself looking for the garbage. I’d laugh, throw
the paper in the bowl and flush it down. One time I actually threw the paper in
the garbage. Dang it. Haha! I just retrieved it and put it back where it
belongs. And then washed my hands really well! I think I’m turning Colombian.
Mental peso calculations: When I first got to Colombia I’d
walk through the super market and mentally change all the peso prices to
dollars to see if it is a reasonable deal. As time passed those calculations
happened less and less because I learned what are good peso prices for
Colombia. The time I've spent home reactivated my mental calculator. I would walk through the super market mentally
changing all the dollar prices to the peso equivalent to see if it’s worth it. Crazy. I think I’m turning Colombia..
Craving Juan Valdez: For a long time now I've been a Starbucks
girl. Coming home I was super stoked to indulge is some delightful coffee. The
first stop at the airport was a Starbucks.
I took a sip, frowned, and, no joke, thought, “Juan Valdez is so much
better. I wish I could get one here.” I think I’m turning Colombian.
The Umbrella Check: In Colombia I always do the umbrella
check before leaving my apartment. Ya know, tap the side of my bag to make sure
my umbrella is in there. It is not fun getting caught in a down pour
unprepared. Several times I've done the umbrella check without thought,
realized what I was doing, smirked and walked out the door umbrella-free. It
felt slightly weird. I think I’m turning Colombian.
Can’t a Girl Get an Arepa? :Arepas are these little corn
tortilla-like things that are loved by all Colombians. I don’t remember where I
was but I was walking through a food court and saw someone eating what I
thought was an arepa. I did a double take as I thought, “Wow, an arepa would be
super good right now.” As I re-evaluated what the person was eating, I realized
it wasn't an arepa. The craving didn't flee with that realization though. I
think I’m turning Colombian.
And now I’m heading back to Colombia. Will I readjust back into
that culture? I sure hope that these little mannerisms I've picked up are an
indication that the transition will be smooth. I’m certain I’ll miss home and I’ll
constantly be reminded that I’m a foreigner, but I imagine I’ll enjoy getting
back in the swing of Latin living.
