Culture Shock

My mother warned me about culture shock. When I returned home for Christmas, she cautioned: "Things won’t feel the same as they had before."

(Here I am at the airport wearing my dad’s surgical recovery boot that earned me the right to board the plane first with my little harp, ensuring its safe storage in the overhead compartment!)

She was right. Unlike in Huatusco, no one at Walgreens or ShopRite knew me.  That felt strange. And none of the checkout people would ever see me again. Or if they did, they would show no sign of recognition.  That seemed totally wrong. I kept trying to kiss people. I’d move in for a cheek kiss and many would back away. Others, bemused, would just take it, pleasantly surprised! While in Pennsylvania, I bought a puppy dog.  I had to fill out multiple applications, and have a good reference, and have my vet vouch for me. Yes, things were very different from Mexico!

After months living in the US, but longing to be back in the warmth and kindness of the southern hemisphere, I returned to Mexico.  No one warned me of culture shock the other way! By the time my feet touched ground in Mexico in March, it was as if I had already assimilated  to being American again -- after only a few months. I couldn’t understand why my schedule was out of control, or why time was always morphing into something I didn't expect! I felt uncomfortable hugging a group of six people when I only knew one of them. I’m sure I have already offended multiple people this way. I found myself saying “No, I can’t sit down for a snack with you. I’m being a typical American and I am busy and have things I need to attend to.”

Within a few weeks, I had begun again to settle into the Mexican pace of life. What really did it were the three days I spent in Orizaba, teaching at a new yoga studio. My hosts showered me with incredible hospitality, inclusion and spirit. Finally, I was back in the flow. It brought back for me many of the things I love best about living in Mexico!

By coincidence, my visit coincided with their once a year carnival, complete with amusement park rides and performances of the ancient “Danza de los Voladores” in which four men launch themselves off of an extremely high pole while one danced and played the flute on top!

As with everything I eat in Mexico, I doused my “mango-on-a-stick” in chili!

It wasn’t all fun and games! There was also work.  I had been invited to teach Kundalini yoga to an incredible group of people.  In the process I bathed them in harp and flute music.  I have a lot to be grateful for as I ease back into life in Mexico!

A Mexican Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to my beloved friends and family Stateside! All the way out here in Mexico, I have still had the good fortune to celebrate with my immediate family. By last Friday, my brother and my parents were here with me. 

My real Thanksgiving occurred last Saturday. My mom came up with the idea to celebrate this American holiday in our community with singing. The last minute invitation went out – bring a gratitude, a “Thanksgiving” dish and a song!

By the time everyone arrived, all age groups were present. There was a newborn baby and we celebrated the presence of the oldest member of the community. Amongst the buzzing of people, special dishes covered all of the surfaces. There was just the right amount of food. As the last person left the food line, there was no more dinner to be had. Then on to dessert!

With dessert came the singing. Each family had brought a song to teach or to share. My friend from Spain sang a flamenco song. Her daughter sang a pop song in English accompanied by her guitar. Don Goyo, a campesino worker sang traditional Mexican songs of country love. A mother who guides transformational sweat lodges sang a song from the Temascal with her two small sons. 

My family and I closed with the song “Swimming to the Other Side” by Pat Humphries.

The words of this song are so beautiful. Sometimes, they make me cry.

We are living 'neath the great Big Dipper

We are washed by the very same rain

We are swimming in the stream together

Some in power and some in pain

We can worship this ground we walk on

Cherishing the beings that we live beside

Loving spirits will live forever

We're all swimming to the other side

I am alone, and I am searching

Hungering for answers in my time

I am balanced at the brink of wisdom

I'm impatient to receive a sign

I move forward with my senses open

Imperfection, it be my crime

In humility I will listen

We're all swimming to the other side  

On this journey through thoughts and feelings

Binding intuition, my head, my heart

I am gathering the tools together

I'm preparing to do my part

All of those who have come before me

Band together and be my guide

Loving lessons that I will follow

We're all swimming to the other side  

When we get there we'll discover

All of the gifts we've been given to share

Have been with us since life's beginning

And we never noticed they were there

We can balance at the brink of wisdom

Never recognizing that we've arrived

Loving spirits will live together

We're all swimming to the other side 

How easy it is to forget that we’re all in this together, that we are never alone. How commonly do we aspire to get to the next achievement without realizing that we have already arrived in our own perfection? There I was, encircled by an incredible community - all celebrating a holiday from another culture, simply because it nurtures body and spirit to be together.

There is so much to be grateful for. I am grateful for all the things that I have. Here in Mexico, I’ve also learned to be grateful for the things that I don’t have. I call this patience. Sometimes, I wish I already owned a dog. Other days, I wish there weren’t so many variables to sort through in your 20s. But I cannot change those things! It’s a privilege to explore, to learn and to grow. I’m learning to appreciate the creativity and magic of my moment and I look forward to all of the moments yet to come.

As the night was wrapping up, my brother put on salsa music inviting people to dance. Guests were reticent to go inside near the music; the fresh breeze was so compelling. It was not too long before the 10-14 year olds in the community cautiously suggested that we change to the pop music on their ipods, and leave the adults outside to enjoy the weather. That day, the solar panels had run out of electricity. Soon, my living room was filled with preteens jamming to Top 40s hits by candle light. What fun!

I can't top the "Friendsgiving" I had on Saturday. Today is a working day here in Mexico, just like every other Thursday! In between my private sessions and my kids yoga class, my family and I will eat out at a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner. No home cooked meal, no mashed potatoes. What will be similar to my familiar memories of Thanksgiving, however, is that I plan to order a lot of food, more than I can eat, and bring home left overs. And I will share something that I am grateful for.