A month in Macau

Culture shock has four phases and takes place over a long period, such as a year. The first phase is called the Honeymoon phase. As you can imagine, upon arriving to a foreign land, one is in love. Wikipedia says that the differences between the old and new culture are seen in a romantic light. For example, in moving to a new country, an individual might love the new food, the pace of life, and the locals' habits. During the first few weeks, most people are fascinated by the new culture. They associate with nationals who speak their language, and who are polite to the foreigners. This period is full of observations and new discoveries.

Although most honeymoons come to an end, out love for Macau has yet to waver. We are still happily batting our eyes at the newness that everyday presents us with. We get giddy when we realize this is our home and we smile with delight when people recognize us on the streets because it means we are not as anonymous as we were just four weeks ago when we arrived not knowing what was in store.

But we are not walking the streets and traveling all day, much of our discoveries have occurred within the wall of our new workplace, our school. Our learning didn't end when we left college, in many ways it had just begun. We are working as hard as ever, but the reward has been even greater. Not only are we learning about teaching, but we are learning about ourselves and others. There is an energy in the air that we've never experienced before, and hope never ends.

Very simple things, bring us joy and remind us how lucky we are to have this opportunity.

-As you walk through town you see everyone's undergarments, as the streets are lined with railings filled with peoples drying clothes.

-We've come to realize it takes us longer to go down our elevator than it does to walk to work.

- We don't own a car and yet instead ride a bus- sometimes with a live crab on our lap.

-We pray every morning in school with our students and openly teach them to love our creator and each other regardless of our differences.

-We've met people we're sure we'll know for the rest of our lives.

-The Hungry Ghost Festival is currently taking place. Many Taoists and Buddhists believe that spirits of the deceased come back to visit the living during this time. Elaborate offerings of food are made and line the sidewalks at night. The city has put several metal barrels on every street so families can burn paper money and goods for the ghosts to receive and use in the afterlife.

-We have to turn our shower so that we can get hot water to our bathroom sink. The water pressure in the sink is so low, that it doesn't kick the hot water heater on; which is an open flame, conveniently located on our kitchen wall. Did I say this brought us joy?

-Our apartment feels like our home. It's now normal not to have a top sheet on our bed which happens to be rock hard, to have our laundry machine in our kitchen, a 2 foot counter space to cook on, no oven, and a view of a flashy casino from our window.

- Cell phone, water, electricity, internet, and cable bills can all be paid at one of the numerous 7-11's throughout the city.

-We went to an electronic store to buy a USB cord and they kindly direct us to the grocery store to pick up such an item because that makes more sense, naturally.

-Mangoes and papayas are just as cheap as bananas.

-Milk comes in cartons- like soy milk back in the states.

-The Chinese restaurant we frequent has no English menus and no pictures of food- the 6 people who work there day in and day out happily greet us when we arrive knowing we have no clue what we are about to order. They speak to us in Chinese, smile widely when we smile and shake our head because we have no clue what they are saying. They warmly wave when we see them on the streets and we wave to them as we walk by the window everyday on our way to school. So no, we do not know their names, and maybe we never will, but they are people we have created a relationship with and will remember for a lifetime.

-Kids are kids,no matter what culture, country, or race. They goof off, want to laugh and play, and be loved.

-Last night at the our Friday night hangout we were able to hold a Chinese women's pet tea cup pig. She and her friends overheard our friend Chis telling me they were very nice and would let me hold it if I wanted too. Before I even asked, the pig was in my lap. As I laughed hysterically at what was happening in that very moment, he said it best, "And this is why you travel". Perfectly stated.