People are Staring

For those of you who don't realize it, culture shock is a real thing.  Most of the time I love living here and enjoy the culture but for the past month I have been extra sensitive.  I thought it would be fun to try to paint a word picture for you a little about living in another country.

The one thing that is constant is people staring, I look different, I talk different, I think different, I act different, I eat different.  So of course I am always a freak show for those around me and get asked daily "where are you from" and the response that I don't like to say because it's a tongue twister is estados unidos.

Another thing that gets to me is constant waiting.  If your appointment is at 4, you may get seen by 6.  Don't worry, they will give you coffee in the meantime, never mind that I DON'T REALLY LIKE COFFEE but have to drink it because it's the polite thing to do.  If something breaks the technician may come out, look at the problem and tell you they will be back the next day only not to return for a couple of days.  Time is just a thing, we have plenty of it...Right?

And the grocery store thing...First I walk to the store, getting whistles and looks along the way because I am a "gringa" then I get to the store to realize the thing they just had yesterday, they now don't carry.  So I walk to several other stores and finally give up after being exhausted from all the walking and searching.

Sleep...It is something I don't get alot of these days which may be why everything else gets on my nerves so much.  Latin America is just noisy in general but here in the city it's extra noisy.  Last week we were awoken at 4 in the morning by a taxi's horn outside our apt.  That night we were so exhausted we thought yay- tonight we will get in the bed a little early.  We hopped in the bed at 9pm and as soon as we   layed our head on the pillow a mariachi band begins.  I just smiled and sighed.

Oh how I wish I were more like the Apostle Paul and had joy during all of this.  How I pray to have the "pura vida" attitude.  Lord help me to be a better servant for you.

Firebreathers

When you walk or drive down the streets of San Jose, there are people everywhere selling things, begging, juggling, and doing other things to earn money.  The knife jugglers freak me out because I'm always afraid I'm going to witness someone get stabbed, but the firebreathers fascinate me.  

In the night, I look for them.  When they start, sometimes they juggle torches of fire, and sometimes they inhale it and breathe it back out.

Everytime I watch them I wonder why.  How did they begin doing such a dangerous thing?  Don't they know it can kill them?  Does it give a thrill, a high?  

Yet, I am fascinated.  It is cool to watch.  When my spanish is better I'd like to talk to one of them.  Everybody has a story.  

What is something strange that fascinates you and why?

Thank the Lord the Power Went Off!

Last week I was caught up on my studies so I stayed home an extra hour in the morning.  I had in my mind what seemed like a million things I wanted to get done that day before class.

As I was drying my hair, I heard a click, the power went off.  So as cool as a cucumber I sat the blowdryer down and went onto my next task.

I thought well now would be a great time to call and pay that bill.  As I picked up the phone, I realized the phone only works through the internet and at that moment it didn't work because the electricity was off.

So I turned on my computer, pulled up my e-mail and started reading a devotion.  As I got to the middle, I needed to click on a link to read the rest, and you guessed it, it didn't work.

Next I went into the kitchen and all of the cereal was gone and the stove didn't work.  Obviously I wasn't getting to eat.

Suddenly the thought came to mind I will just sit in the Lord's presence just me and the Bible and talk with God and read His word.  I don't need an online devotion.  The Lord desires that I spend time with Him sometimes without anything else.

That morning my time with Him was wonderful and I left feeling refreshed and renewed.  Sometimes things that seem bad are a blessing in disguise.  I thank God for the power outage that day.