"Culture Shock" and Relaxation

 

The way summer should begin

  This week we relaxed a bit and headed south.  Even though we traveled a bit to get home, we spent a bit more time traveling to San Diego.  It was a nice relief from the cleaning, painting and new carpet addition.  It gave us a chance to recharge and get over the jet lag, without feeling like we had to get everything done at once.  It also allowed me to contemplate the "Culture Shock" question.

ADVENTURES:  On Wednesday morning we awoke to a beautiful, but hot day at home.  We spent the morning casually getting ready for our road trip to San Diego. 

What I have always loved about Solana Beach!!

We were going to San Diego to see Cecelia's parents and visit with family and friends.  Our journey began at about 10:30 am.  It was a nice trip and the air was clearer than usual in the Central Valley for this time of year.  I have actually missed the drive on Hwy 99 South.  I always like to see what changes the little towns make along the way.  I also really enjoy driving through the farmland and seeing what is planted this time of year in the fields.  The part about the drive I don't enjoy is the traffic in LA. Once we got to San Diego, the rest of the week was spent visiting with friends and family   and making trips to the beach. Saturday, we had 20 people over to Cecelia's parents' home for dinner.  It was great to get a chance to share our experience with people that were genuinely interested in our adventures and that were glad to have us back.
      In answer to the many questions about culture shock that we have had, there were only a couple of things that come to mind.  But I am not sure by definition if they are culture shock or not.  Maybe they were more inconveniences and nuisances, rather than shocks.  The first is the aforementioned traffic.  It was one of the culture shocks of returning here and I could do without it. While in China I had not driven a car, which means I have not been behind the wheel of a car or truck for ten months.  Scooters don't count as cars.  It is a different kind of driving altogether.

Claire and Tay enjoying freezing water!!!

  The definition of culture shock is, the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes.  I would say that going to China was obviously by definition, a culture shock.  Coming home to a house that needed to be tidied up was a little bit of a shock but, coming back to the United States isn't really a shock.  In the US, there is a consistency that is predictable and appreciated by us in many ways. When we arrived, we first enjoyed the organized way we were ushered through customs and immigration. We welcomed the return to the organized way that traffic behaved on the way home.   It felt so comfortable to run errands knowing that there are places that will have things that we need.  It was great to go to the familiar places to eat and get a good cup of coffee.  (Starbucks of course)  Finally, the way our friends greeted us and made us feel loved and appreciated was the most appreciated predictable thing.  So, true culture shock no, I wouldn't say we have experienced much.
  Until next week, have another great week of summer and we will connect with many of you soon.  When we get back to Oakhurst we are going to be  preparing for a party that will be open to all our friends and the community.  We look forward to the opportunity to share and greet those of you that we have not seen yet.