“Culture is not just the customs of another country. It is a group of people’s shared view on what is important. It shapes their attitudes about what is appropriate and it shapes their behavior. It makes sense to them but not to outsiders. It is missing nothing and doesn’t need to change to them. They are not born with their culture in their DNA, they learn this the same way we learned our culture.”
This is from one of the most compelling articles I’ve read recently. Read it HERE
“I’m moving to Brasil in March!” “I’m going to the Holy Lands for spring break!” “I”m going to France for the summer!” “Cyprus, it’s a small country north of Egypt and South of Turkey. Yeah, for four months!”
What do all of those phrases have in common? They were often followed with the question, “Is that safe? I mean, especially for women.”
You’ve gotta be kidding me!
The other night, a woman I’ve been spending a considerable amount of time talking to while in CO asked me how we (my friend Hilary) and I know what we’re doing.
First of all, I’m 23. I have no idea what I’m doing.
I’ve wandered around places from Chicago’s South Side to Palestine’s West Bank, and have never felt afraid. It doesn’t matter that I’m young, female, white, relatively privileged, or anything else that may make people think I’m a target on the road.
How do I know what I’m doing is safe? I don’t. But I believe in humanity, and blending in to cultures rather than observing them from the outside. Respect for a group of people takes travelers a long way.
Also, common sense and reading safety warnings are duly noted.
Now time to go study up on my Portuguese that I’ve been conveniently avoiding for the last month…