So, a few years ago it was a dream of mine to travel around the world. At the time, the trip was being planned with my 'boyfriend' ( I cant think of the right word, so boyfriend will have to do), and we had called it "Flying Pigs". This name was given because at the time, given our circumstances it seemed impossible that it would ever happen--but it was something that we were both striving for, and I know that I can pretty much do anything I set my mind to--and this was no different.
Since the inception of Flying Pigs a few years ago, he has moved on to a life without me--choosing instead to settle down with a wife and a home and hopefully--a picket fence.....However, not to be undaunted, I continue my adventures solo, and am wondering on this rainy morning in August, why I abandoned that dream?
This year is my last year of formal working. This is the year I retire. I refuse to go down easily though, and am currently planning my trip around the world commencing September, 2016.
Flying Pigs is back on. This blog will be about the planning, organizational and logistical formalities of this adventure. Inshallah. ;)
So I am back from Kuwait, and have had the summer to process all I have learned, all I have experienced, all I have done. Except, I haven't.
How is it, that life gets so busy that unless you consciously plan time to sit down and schedule in a 'time to think' hour into your day, it feels like it never really happens?
I know that since I have been back, I feel somewhat alienated from my current society. I feel like I have changed, grown, and become somewhat different, yet back in my life, nobody stops and points and goes 'omg you are soooo different!!" Yet--I feel different, and am not sure why it's not obvious on the outside.
I have just recently returned to Kuwait, to pick out some suitcases that I have left there. I was looking forward to going back--I miss some aspects of life in the Middle East. I miss the food, the freshness, the abundance of vegetables, the variety and the flavour. I also miss being treated like someone special. In Kuwait, when you walk into a shop or a store, the clerks cannot serve you fast enough. Being a white woman, you are treated special. It's like you are royalty, and I miss that. Here, I walk into a store and nobody bats an eyelid. I am not talking about obsequiousness, or differential treatment ( for there is that too) I am talking about a genuine friendliness and acknowledgement of my presence. I also miss the mindset of being on an adventure. I liked saying " I work in the Middle East". Now, I am just another drone in the regular world.
I also miss the intrigue and mystery presented by the people. Arab men are truly eye -candy, and the women are intriguing and mysterious. I liked having my senses bombarded with different sights, sounds and challenges.I like the 'different'.
So, now what? This is my last year of working, and I am pondering what to do next year, as a retirement trip. I have so many ideas and so many different opportunities--I am excited to consider them all.
Currently my idea is to plan an "around the world trip". Stay tuned for my next adventure.
Yes I know, I know--it has been a while since I have written.
There are lots of reasons for that, I guess, but none that seem valid right now.
Sometimes I truly had nothing to say of any poignancy or interest...other times I was too angry and didn't want to sound bitter and like a harpy, and other times, I just didn't wanna. Other times, I wanted to, but got sidetracked on my way to the computer.
And now its over.
I have been here for 10 months, but in reality the journey has been almost 2 years. From the idea of teaching internationally, to applying, to interviewing, to packing, to moving...its been 2 years. It has been an amazing ride.
I have learned far more about myself, than I have learned from Kuwait. The true Kuwaiti person remains as mysterious to me as they have been before. I have however, met many people from the Middle East...and those people I have found to be passionate, generous, warm and loving. Except when they are gossipy, intolerant, hypocritical and petty. Like everyone, really.
The students I have had the opportunity to know have made me realize just how unique North American youth are. It's too bad they don't know it. Not unique from an individual point of view, although they could be; but unique because things like critical thinking, individualism, and the concept of unique thought is encouraged and fostered in their education system. I am not sure if that is something that is possible in the East..and its neither a good nor bad thing--but it would be foolish to not see the difference and the advantages of each.
I have been made aware more than ever that mindsets are definitely culturally dependent. Being the head of a school made me question the concept of being able to teach critical thinking in later grades. It made me question the concept of learning and the value of learning over 'just finding the answer'.
I am proud of our education system in Ontario. And I am very proud to be Canadian. A lot of the world's population wants to be Canadian. I am, for once, in the 'in group'. Ha!
The Middle East is not for the faint hearted. It is extreme in most things, nothing is as it seems, like the abaya covers the form of the woman, much happens that is not seen. I am not sure that any westerner can truly know the true mind of a person from the Middle East...but it was nice to try.
Kuwait gets a really bad rap from a lot of sources. That is too bad; it has a lot to offer if one wants to enjoy it. I absolutely enjoyed it. Except when being here made me insane. Ha! I have learned though, you just can't ask "Why" cause that's a game you wont win. Ever. ( Cheat Sheet..the only answer is
" That's just Kuwait")
I had an amazing time, but now it's time to move on to other adventures, other cultures and other journey's.
ma'al-salamah....Go with Peace.
