To be honest, I’d been waiting for and a little worried about the let down I’d been told was an inevitable part of moving abroad, the point at which the novelty wears off and reality sets in. When there was no let down, I wondered what was wrong with me. Where was second-guessing? The culture shock? Even my doctor in the U.S., an expat himself, had gently warned me to be prepared.
But it didn’t come and didn’t come. I have been here the better part of a year. A couple of things went haywire in this apartment, quirks I just have to live with revealed themselves. And still, no regrets. The winter holidays came and went, and, yes, I missed seeing friends and family in person, but I got through. The winter rains came, some torrential, keeping me inside many days. I was still okay. There is very little central heat anywhere here, and nights were sometimes in the forties. Still, nothing. I ran into some confusion with the medical community during my concussion recovery. And still no.
I’d expected to travel a great deal here, to hop on planes to suddenly-close places, London, Amsterdam, Florence. But I never wake up restless, I never wake up with the urge.
There’s definitely something wrong with me. I’m hardhearted. Out of touch. In denial.
But, no. That’s not the case.
During conversations with visitors considering a move to Portugal or elsewhere in Europe, their questions sometime center on what place will embrace them, what place will make them feel at home. In conversations with those already here who are not adjusting, and even seem bored, the novelty has clearly vanished. What’s the difference?
I think I know.
I didn’t come here for adventure. I didn’t come here to find myself. I came here to be myself. I didn’t need Coimbra to be anything other than Coimbra.
Many thanks to Linda and Vince B for the photos. June is a very busy month here, with fairs and festivals nearly every day. I’ve gathered some of their photos and mine for a separate all picture post. Enjoy!
So beautifully stated. It would be tough to make a drastic change just to wish it were the same! I am still hoping to get to Coimbra sooner than later. I will write…
Standing by . . .
Culture Shock is something that most people believe is negative. They dread it and therefore look for it everywhere. Most do find some or many things just wrong from their world view and have to determine how to adjust to their new “normal” life, or not.
But I propose that Culture Shock can also be positive.
The things that have most made us re-evaluate our previous beliefs, here in Portugal, are the things that are so wonderfully different than in the US and Thailand. So we shake our heads in amazement at how wonderful the cultural differences are here. We’ve been here almost two years, the “honeymoon phase” is long past so our Culture Shock is positive. We are so content and peaceful in this place.
Like you, we are also very independent and don’t need groups, organized activities, expat enclaves, or others to make our life complete. We actually do our best to avoid them at all costs. Our friendships here are organic and real.
As far as dealing with the current situation in the US goes, I limit myself to reading news about that once a day and then remember that as bad as things seem to be there, I do not live there and there is nothing I can do about it anymore than I can do anything about what is going on in China or Russia.
Excellent point, Vince. The shock has been how fundamentally different the culture is from the U.S. One needs to be here awhile to even begin to appreciate this. It doesn’t happen in a few days, or even a few weeks. The approach to life is simply different, and, for me, it’s been healthier.
This makes me so happy!
Thank you for sharing your experience. I have wondered about how I will experience the transition as well, thinking that it will be a welcomed “culture shock”. Looking forward to it!
Can’t wait to see you again to catch up!
Do be prepared for surprises! Already July, you’ll be here soon . . .
Glad you feel so settled there. You’re evidently very adaptable. Just been writing about my first 6 months in the US and how strange everything was…
Thanks, Gabi. Would like to hear more about your experiences.