Oh, Canada...

It's hard to believe that nearly a month has gone by since I left South Africa and returned to my home and native land. While in South Africa, I'd heard the term "reverse culture shock" and was aware that it could happen to me. After a few days had passed, though, I hadn't experienced any sort of "shock," so I figured I was safe. A couple of days after I arrived, I had lunch in Simcoe with my Mom's side of the family. I listened patiently as conversations revolved around the family news and future plans for vacations and purchases. In the midst of it all, my uncle leaned back in his chair and said, "psst... Lindsay... are you experiencing reverse culture shock?" I thought about it briefly and said, "I think it's more "'reverse cultural awareness'." I am aware that Canada is a prosperous nation, and we are very blessed to be so. My highschool history teacher Mr. Yates hit the nail on the head when he repeatedly told his classes, "You've all hit the jackpot in life." Canada is an amazing place to live.

I think that my awareness of North American materialism kicked in after I spent Christmas 2005 at a camp for International Students. It was there that I met a fellow from Burundi whose large family lived in a refugee camp. As he told me stories of his childhood and about his country, I was shocked at the injustice. I was horrified at the things we take for granted in Canada - freedom, warm beds, decent weather(you may disagree on that one, but have you ever had to worry that the roof of your house might blow off during rainy season?). I inwardly became extremely critical of our nation and the way we live. I remember watching a TV special on garden shows. I was so annoyed that people would spend millions of dollars on flowers and producing a program about them. Didn't they know that children were DYING all over the world from preventable causes? This silent attitude continued for quite some time. But at one point between now and then, I realized that being critical wasn't helping anyone. I thought about the way Jesus lived. Did He minister to people by criticizing them? That couldn't be farther from the truth! Jesus LOVED everyone He saw and came into contact with. He healed them, talked to them, prayed for them, and saved them from being stoned to death. I decided to kick my criticism habit and start loving and accepting.

I've learned more about this since returning home. I think it's amazing that there are so many distinct cultures all over the world. Canada's culture is different from South Africa's culture. Not so much that it feels like you're on another planet - people are still people wherever you go. People in both cultures are kind, hospitable, and joyful - they hope to get married and have families - people go to school and get jobs. It's the little things that are different - people coming over unannounced and being integrated into whatever's happening - entire extended families living in the same town - ways of greeting people. It's hard for me to even think of little cultural differences - but I know they're there! There's nothing like being in your own country and knowing exactly how to conduct a phone conversation or being able to say "The Maritimes" or "toque" knowing that everyone understands those terms. Just knowing what the norm is wherever you happen to be. You don't really appreciate it until you've been immersed in another culture.

I want to get to the original focus of this post - which was going to be titled, "I Underestimated My Own Country." When I experienced the hospitality and openness of the South Africans I met, I was almost overwhelmed. I thought, "Gosh, it's certainly not like this in Canada!" But over the last two weeks during my trip to the Maritimes, I realized that I was very, very wrong. I was welcomed into so many homes, offered so much food, and was often entertained by those I stayed with. I was blown away by how kind people were to me. Canadians really are wonderful and hospitable people. I want to extend my thanks to those who took care of me during my time out East - my grandparents, Bethany and Sarah, Amanda, the Torrances, the Strubels, Shauna, and Kathryn and Tim.

I guess you could say that I did experience reverse culture shock - just not in the way I'd expected.

I love my Canada!