We met today with the regional leaders of SAM region. They talked to us a lot about culture shock, and that there is no avoiding it. And it was really interesting to hear some of their stories about how things are different there.
Once they went camping for a little getaway. It was a huge camping area and there were only a few campers out. They set up their tent in a fairly secluded area away from the other campers. About nine that night the hear a “bang bang bang”. A family is setting their tent up, literally, right next to theirs. They like to be close.
If you are the only person in a restaurant and a person comes in, they will sit right next to you. . . even though the whole place is empty. That blows my mind.
The regional leaders also encouraged us to really become friends with nationals. Learn to depend on them. I’m excited about those relationships. That’s another thing they told us. Latin Americans aren’t impressed with your busy schedule, especially if you’ve had no time for them. Completing tasks are important to us . . . building relationships is what is important to them. Hopefully that mindset will rub off on me.
You both draw others to you with your warmth and obvious love for other people; I know you will have no trouble establishing strong, deep relationships with the nationals. I can’t wait to hear about them!