Note to Self

There are a few quirks that I’ve learned about since arriving in January. These could be annoying if I was here for the long term, but they aren’t a big deal because I’m only here for a short while. So for now, they are just interesting cultural differences. So here is a helpful "Note to Self" (© Rudi Gesch, 1995) list for you guys in case you ever visit:

1. "Spanish Time.” (buckle up, here comes a rant…) It seems to me that this phenomenon is EVERYWHERE, with the possible two exceptions of America and Germany. Since when does everyone get to have their own “time”? AKA, an excuse for being LATE to everything. Spanish time. Jamaican time. Costa Rican time. Heck, I know whole FAMILIES back home who run on their own “time.” And if you just cite “__________ time” as the cause of the lateness, you’re off the hook. What?! As a Gesch, I am fully aware of my predisposition to chronic punctuality, but come ON. If you SAY you are going to meet someone at 11:00, 11:30 is ridiculous! Is it that toxic to leave the house 7 minutes earlier than you usually leave? Is the whole world satisfied to make others wait on them? But just a heads up….whether you like it or not…people here run on “Spanish time. “ It is what it is. For all you Gesches out there and other like-minded world citizens who see the importance of keeping a meeting time, I salute you.

2. Marble/tile floors are everywhere. No carpeting. Looks pretty…until you have to walk out of bed in the morning across ice-cold floors. Bring slippers.

3. Weak sauce internet connection. If you have attempted a skype session or google voice phone call with me up to this point, you know what I’m talking about. For what it’s worth to those of you who have, I love talking to you, choppy connection or not. But private wi-fi networks (like those in houses, etc.) are not good enough to keep a skype session going. So in the future, I am going to be doing that stuff in places with more solid wi-fi access, like my school or at a café.

4. If you are startled awake at 2 in the morning to the sounds of what appears to be a foreign invasion, don’t panic. No, it is not a fleet of tanks, but the massive garbage trucks and crews who have chosen this convenient hour to take care o’ bidness. Hey, as long as the garbage gets taken care of, I’m happy.

5. This is a BIG Note to Self: Double check your suitcases before you leave to make sure that your favorite shoes are with you. The first day here I discovered a sad truth: my beloved Sambas have been left at home. But I am learning to cope without them, and have decided that my reunion with the best shoes ever will be all the sweeter because of our time apart. Just trying to stay positive in the face of adversity.


So these are a few interesting facets of my life here, and I am sure I will continue to learn about more along the way. Oddly, I actually LIKE these differences - being out of the comfort zone can be refreshing. Having said that, these things have made me love the U.S. of A. even more (if that was possible).