Look (at the crazy American)!
I have discovered something. In a place like where I am, it's not everything and everyone else who are different, it's ME! To the natives, this is not exotic and new, it is their way of life. I am the thing that's exotic and new!
When Soleil and I ride our bikes to Fivimart or any other place, we get stared at. Walking with the family, we all get funny looks. The people here just stare, unabashedly. Apparently they were never taught that it's rude to stare. Or perhaps westerners are just so unbelievably weird that they feel it is okay to stare anyway. They are watching us for strange behaviors that they can whisper among themselves about.
For a little while, this really unnerved me. i mean, come on, it's weird right? But then Soleil and I developed a technique: Stare back. Oddly enough, eye contact doesn't seem to intimidate these people. They are unafraid to meet my eyes.
Pete said that once you start doing Vietnamese things, they stop looking at you like you are a crazy foreigner. He said that now that he has a motorbike, no one stares anymore. Now he is one of them.
I don't mind being stared at. It is a real reminder of how it is not they who are different, it is me. This is a completely new experince for me, and I am enjoying it thoroughly.
posted by Hillary @ 8:52 PM
2 Comments:
Hi sweetie,
I am in my classroom w/ my students. We read your post together. I have shown them where you are and they too are excited! I am commenting as they stand over my shoulder. Smile!! Your post was so insightful. Yes, I have a few words to define for my students. We are all learning! We understand how it could be as you describe it. Thank you for the lesson!! It was fabby to hear your voice in my ear this morning....well, your evening. My kids still can't quite get over this time-thing! It's fun, though. They are telling me to say "Good night." We are having fun w/ this. So, good night from me, Paul, Roy, Avry Jo and Ryan. Sweet dreams my love (that part is NOT from them!)
Hey Hilly!
What fun you are having! I'm so happy for you. Very glad you made
it safely to the other side of the world. Your mom is making every connection conceivable to your new home country. I think she has interviewed every student on campus and has found a few that have been there or know someone that is there now. Small world! I'm sure she will tell you all about it soon. Love, Donna
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