Culture Shock

I have realized that traveling in another country is one thing; living and "working" in another country is another. Culture Shock is defined as a condition of confusion and anxiety affecting a person suddenly exposed to an alien culture or milieu. I can't say I am confused or anxious, but this is definitely the end of the honeymoon period and the beginning of the hard work.

Monday was my first day at my placement and I found myself in an office, surrounded by people who speak a language I haven't even begun to comprehend (aside from surface pleasantries) and I was completely at their mercy. A bit disconcerting to realize when you're in the midst of it. The office staff includes two women in administration, four program staff (three men and one woman), one driver (or that I was I assume his position to be) and the executive director. The women in administration were very nice, greeting me and buying me flowers for my birthday. The men in the program staff are Vikram, an older gentleman who speaks English well enough to communicate and is very funny and happy to chat; Champ, who is 21 and quiet so far; Moo, who is the only woman and hasn't said much, and Sua, who is about 40 and looks like an Asian gangster with an expression to match. He hadn't said a word to me.

At lunch, all of the staff eat together and they invited me to join them. Once in a while, one of the men who spoke English would clue me in as to their conversation, but for the most part, I ate and smiled. Near the end of the meal, the conversation came around to what my Thai nickname would be. The threw a few things around - putting me in an uncomfortable spot, knowing the conversation was about me and having no clue as to what they were saying - at one point one of the woman from administration pointed at a lemon and said "lemon" in Thai and the director explained to me that she had suggested a lemon because "it is sour like (your) actions"!!! I couldn't even begin to understand where I'd gone wrong. All I'd done all morning was nod and smile and try to look interested. "Slow" or "mute," I could understand, but "sour"?? Luckily for me "lemon" was discarded and they decided that I should come up with my own nickname.

We spent the afternoon discussing my schedule for the next 10 weeks, afterwhich I happily jumped in a cab back to CCS.

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent in a day care that is somehow connected to the organization. There were two teachers and a director (or so I believe that is his position). Neither of the teachers speak English, so the director was my sole interpreter.

The Thai's are a very hospitable people and I was constantly plied with drinks and food and questioned as to my emotional state, "are you happy???" To which I would respond with my most un-sour radiant smile, "yes, I am very happy!" I spent the days observing the kids and playing a bit (today I brought in paper and crayons for them to draw), but mostly talking with the director, assuming "talk" does not imply comprehension. He speaks little English but seems to read and write better than he speaks and understands. We passed the days with conversations that went a little something like this:

Director: "You Thailand see here?"
Me: "I'm sorry?"
Director: "You Thailand SEE HERE?"
Me: "Oh.. Yes!...?"
Director nods happily.
Director: "Someone like something, some not."
Me: "Yes!" Nodding smiling in affirmation.
Director beaming.
Director: "You like apples?"
Me: "Yes, I like apples." Smile.
Me: "How long have you worked here?"
Director: Look of abject confusion, wrinkled brow.
Me: "You work here, how long?"
Director: "Ahh. 10 year." Smiles.

Needless to say, I need to spend my spare time working on my Thai!!