Integration.
That lofty, noble goal, promoted by the Peace Corps – a buzz word that became a caricature of itself through overuse. ‘Integration’ is the path to ‘sustainable development,’ with ‘meaningful relationships’ & ‘cultural exchange’ along the way. Always a little vague & always out of reach, I’m not sure how many volunteers would say they really felt they integrated.
As noble a goal as it is, it’s a little unfair.
Coming to Egypt & living in a culture that’s far more different in Bulgaria has helped me formulate my own ideas of integration. Maybe part of the problem was that my expectations of myself were too high to begin with [a chronic condition] & my fresh start here is helping me to redefine those expectations.
To live simply, quietly & largely unnoticed – these are my goals here.
I’ll never be part of the neighborhood here, for a variety of cultural, religious & socioeconomic reasons. However, by shopping at the same places as my neighbors, walking the same streets, taking the same cabs & treating those I met with respect, I can reasonably expect to blend in [as well as my blond hair will let me].
Knowing that – that ‘integration’ is impossible – is such a relief.
It allows me to be more genuine, more comfortable, to let things go, to cushion myself from disappointment.
This all probably seems like a no-brainer to most everyone else,
but it came as a breath of fresh air to me.
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Saturday, May 15th, 2010, 10:20 am | 
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