Acculturation

Two posts in three days? What?! While the last post was informative, I found it sort of boring. :) So, here is a post full of funny stories that have taken place as I am going through this process of acculturation. And yes, “acculturation” is a real word; I know because I lost 10 bolivianos in a bet with my roommate debating this very topic. 

 ac·cul·tur·a·tion:  cultural modification of an individual, group, or people by adapting to or borrowing traits from another culture

Last week I was at bible study. There was a pretty large group of us, 17 or so, some Bolivians, some Americans. A new Bolivian guy showed up; he was kind of late (on Bolivian time) so his entrance was not unnoticed.  His tardiness was punctuated by the enthusiastic smile on his face and exuberant greeting of “Good morning!” as he walked in. It was 7 PM. I said “Hello!” but had to chuckle because I know for a fact I have done that more than once since living here. If I’m not thinking, I sometimes forgot when to use “Buenos Dias” versus when to use “Buenos Tardes”. From here on out, I think I will always have more empathy for people trying to communicate in a language not their own!

Two days ago my friend and I were walking down the street to the grocery store. We were behind a group woman who were laughing and talking animatedly. One of the women glanced behind her and make eye contact with me, as she turned back to her girlfriends she said something and then all the women turned and looked at me. When we passed by them they were laughing and staring, not in a mean way, but almost in an affable way. I smiled and greeted them; they laughed harder. My friend and I walked away shaking our heads, wondering what in the world that was all about!

A couple of weeks ago, my roommate Katie and I were traveling home from a night out. We jumped on a mini bus (like a bus, but it’s a van where as many people as possible jump in to get where they’re going). Well, the mini was quite full, so full in fact that there was no room for the woman manning the mini (she takes money and opens and closes the door) to sit. No problem, Katie’s lap was available! Yep, she plopped down in the comfy warmness of Katie’s lap (this was not a small woman). As Katie turned her head sideways and caught my eye it was all I could do not to burst out laughing. When we finally got off the mini and handed the woman our money she started smiling. By the time we had reached the sidewalk she was hanging out of the van, one hand hold holding on, one hand free, full on laughing at us for some unknown reason. At this point we could hold in the laughter no longer. So, there we were standing on the street corner, sharing a laugh at a distance, with the toothless Amayra woman in the traditional long, full skirt and bowler hat. It was a good moment. One that makes me start chuckling all over again when I think of it.

And on a more serious, but certainly not boring note, things are in the works for a team from Pocatello to possibly come to Bolivia this spring! A few weeks ago I met a missionary at church who’s main passion is to host short-term teams. I quickly hooked him up with a friend who works with a ministry in Pocatello and loves to lead mission trips herself. There is still a lot that needs to take place and at this point we are simply praying to see if this is something God is putting together, but oh, I am so excited! One of my greatest loves is serving the Lord with friends and family in other cultures. How amazing to have people I know come to Bolivia to bless this nation and engage in all God is doing here. That said, if you are ever interested in coming to La Paz, let me know! Seriously. I am sure we could cook something up! 

Thank you for sticking through another long post. :) Love you, friends!