May 9, Reflections on Travelling Abroad

2 months abroad has been a broadening experience (pardon the pun.)

Not only have I learned some things about Malaysian and Balinese culture, but I've come to realize a few things about myself, as well as the general process of long term travel.

Many of my friends know that this is my first international trip beyond 40 days. Travelling for 6 months is a completely different animal.

For one thing, logistical preparations have far more impact, and some things are extremely difficult to remedy from abroad.

Other challenges include finding a balance between being open minded, and using one's experience and past preferences as a guideline. Structure, and "going with the flow", both have their advantages. Being "careful", following the advice of strangers, and following one's instincts, can all be at odds. Mostly, I've just said "yes" to opportunities as they present themselves. I've had some sour experiences, such as being abandoned in a remote village by a rebuffed suitor (who was also supposed to be my transport to another town the following morning), but mostly I've felt incredibly fortunate. Excluding the ever present obnoxious Balinese hawkers, people have mostly been kind. I've been led to many cultural ceremonies and locals only activities by citizens and expats who are proud to show me "the real Bali". Even passing chance meetings have resulted in overt gestures of sincere kindness and some wonderful conversation.

I've found Bali to be more challenging, in many ways, than Malaysia. Culturally, I find it more confusing, and have been frustrated by unclear motivations. Friendliness, and extracting $s from me, can coexist, with neither being less sincere because of the existence of the other. It seems that certain liberties and expectations arise quickly as one penetrates the unexpectedly thin membrane between acquaintance and friendship. Mysterious foreign mechanics of assumption, reciprocation, karmic beliefs, and politeness, swirl thickly about me. I've often struggled with feelings of being offended, and am sure that I've elicited the same response from others. I'm not sure what is due to cultural differences, and what is simply an individual matter.

Mostly, I've stayed away from socializing with non-locals. This is primarily because I'm bent on understanding the local culture in the short time that I'm here. Also, the few tourists that are visiting, are usually too confused, tired, or drunk, to enter into meaningful conversation. Unrelenting Balinese small talk has ruined me for the same with tourists. There's also the matter that I can't afford to hang out and drink in a bar, which in some towns is the only place where one can meet and socialize with travelers. Socializing with locals, has been: boring, exhilarating, insightful, fun, irritating, and always a little tiring.

Politics has been an interesting topic, and most informed conversations have been in Malaysia. Mostly people around the world (locals and travelers) are afraid that Bush is running amuck and dangerous to the world. I've heard a lot of praise for Clinton's foreign diplomacy, and pleas to do something to stop Bush's misplaced aggression in the world.

Rather than the expected resentment, I've found most people able to separate the American citizenry from the Government's foreign policy and action. Even one Muslim in Malaysia, who left New York after 9-11 (and 6 enjoyable years working there), had a positive attitude towards America. I was grateful for this nice surprise, and sad that my country elicited so much fear abroad... and worse, at home. I was ashamed that honest and contributing people would not feel safe in my country because it is failing to uphold the torch of freedom from religious, ethnic, and cultural, intolerance and persecution.

It seems we have not learned our lessons from Manzanar, and related hysteria is not so far from our current reality. I fear that our country will lose sight that a large part of the strength and purpose of it is the ability of it's citizenry to criticize it.

Anyway, beyond looking at my own country and culture from the outside, I've been forced to look at myself. I can more clearly claim, and appreciate, my upbringing's impact. I hope to adjust my MO and attitudes, as I learn valuable lessons.

Travelling abroad, in the manner in which I'm doing it, is indeed a depth charge of experience.