My small stomach pain, for example, is complicated by the difficulty of finding familiar, plain, and digestively non-threatening breakfast foods. On my bike ride, I ran into a series of cones and a big ole sign smack dab in the middle of (I thought) the only road out of our micro-neighborhood. I figured the message was important, yet felt how limited my understanding can be when I'm functionally illiterate. Even with the children in class, as a cultural question it can be a difficult matter to know the proper balance between discipline and laxity. Too far one way, I fail to motivate my students and fail to control the class. Too far the other, and I risk pushing the upsetting the students, the school, and my own self. The question of where the boundary is, metaphorically (as with teaching) and physically (as with the construction) has proven to be a major theme of my travel. It's just so easy to miss the mark!
Of course, such boundaries are often hard to read even in our own homes, so part of the experience is just a heightened sense of what already goes on everyday--the navigation of indeterminate social and physical relationships with the world around us. Yet, I am definitely feeling a renewed appreciation for my firm understanding of American cultural norms. Reliability is great!
On another note, this weekend I've been invited to travel to a scenic area for a few days in the mountains of central Taiwan. From everything I hear, this place is very beautiful. I've been looking forward to seeing more of the mountains for some time. I promise to write some more positive reflections next time! With fuel like beauty, it shouldn't be hard.
All the best,
-Eli
A shot of Pingtung from outside my window.
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