I laughed at the urge to address everyone in Spanish, because I've done that too in subsequent trips to the U.S. Or I'll read English signs in Spanish-- SALE becomes sah-lay.
Hah, I do this too! We also have a very close friend who partially grew up in Spain who instinctively pronounces the letter e in situations where it should be silent. It’s rough switching back and forth!
So true! I just came back from spending 2 weeks in the US for my daughter's wedding, and after living in Mexico for almost 4 years, it's a culture shock to go back to the US where everyone is rushing around trying to get somewhere on time and the lack of friendliness even when walking down the street just seems so strange to me now.
I'd love to hear more about how living in Mexico has transformed you! Both of these things are true for me, as well as an ability to "just be" far more often, much more creativity and "outside-the-box" thinking and enhanced troubleshooting ability. Way less anxiety, of course. I've also become more thrifty (how can I buy a shirt for more than 400 pesos, come ON!) Tolerance for noise is better, too; too much noise grates on me, but I actually love hearing distant music and people shouting sometimes here. I would like to feature this story in our weekly newsletter, if that's ok?
Life in Costa Rica was similar: "People will show up when they want to show up, nothing happens when it’s supposed to, and have a lackadaisical attitude about commitments, obligations, and timeliness." There that is part of the Pura Vida lifestyle.
Living there I also had to become more go-with-the-flow (and almost did have a nervous breakdown with our giant perfect storm debacle!) but pura vida, pura vida....
To answer your question about how might your personality change if you moved back: I'd say that it wouldn't change. I find that now that I'm back in the U.S., I carry what I learned from my time in Costa Rica in my heart and try to spread the joy that I feel I learned there. Try to continue that 'carefree' attitude-one that wasn't typically all of my personality before I moved.
Travel changes us. (even if I slip also and say buenos Dias to every Chicago passerby!)
I laughed at the urge to address everyone in Spanish, because I've done that too in subsequent trips to the U.S. Or I'll read English signs in Spanish-- SALE becomes sah-lay.
Hah, I do this too! We also have a very close friend who partially grew up in Spain who instinctively pronounces the letter e in situations where it should be silent. It’s rough switching back and forth!
It is was so weird to walk up to people and not say "buenos días" the last time we went to the US.
That's a very good question!
I regress into a cranky, modern caveman
This is the kind of outcome I wish more people had.
So true! I just came back from spending 2 weeks in the US for my daughter's wedding, and after living in Mexico for almost 4 years, it's a culture shock to go back to the US where everyone is rushing around trying to get somewhere on time and the lack of friendliness even when walking down the street just seems so strange to me now.
Bravo!!!!! And felicidades on Leo's trip north!
I'd love to hear more about how living in Mexico has transformed you! Both of these things are true for me, as well as an ability to "just be" far more often, much more creativity and "outside-the-box" thinking and enhanced troubleshooting ability. Way less anxiety, of course. I've also become more thrifty (how can I buy a shirt for more than 400 pesos, come ON!) Tolerance for noise is better, too; too much noise grates on me, but I actually love hearing distant music and people shouting sometimes here. I would like to feature this story in our weekly newsletter, if that's ok?
Life in Costa Rica was similar: "People will show up when they want to show up, nothing happens when it’s supposed to, and have a lackadaisical attitude about commitments, obligations, and timeliness." There that is part of the Pura Vida lifestyle.
Living there I also had to become more go-with-the-flow (and almost did have a nervous breakdown with our giant perfect storm debacle!) but pura vida, pura vida....
To answer your question about how might your personality change if you moved back: I'd say that it wouldn't change. I find that now that I'm back in the U.S., I carry what I learned from my time in Costa Rica in my heart and try to spread the joy that I feel I learned there. Try to continue that 'carefree' attitude-one that wasn't typically all of my personality before I moved.
Travel changes us. (even if I slip also and say buenos Dias to every Chicago passerby!)