culture.

My culture is my normal.  It includes the place I came from, the traditions I uphold, the values and beliefs I was raised with, the food I like, the clothes I wear, the music I listen to, the slang I use, the way I greet my friends, the way I spend my time, the time of day I go out, and so much more.  I think that the way a person defines culture shows what is most important to him or her.  I would say my culture is made up by my family, or the people I consider family whether blood or not.  

[Some pictures of the family and culture I left behind]

Moving to a new place for a little under four months changes the culture I'm surrounded by.  I used to walk around campus greeting people with a "Hey baby!" or a "Hey, how are ya?" Now I walk down the streets saying "Buenos Dias!" I used to walk down the street and smile at people who looked a lot like me.  Now i walk down the street searching for anyone of my height and eye color.  It's interesting how different this place is from my normal.  Here people shove their way into an already jam packed Trole regardless of whether or not they should fit inside.  Here people ride three to a motorcycle, with the baby resting in between the driver and passenger.  Here people bargain at the market for food or souvenirs.  Here people honk and almost run pedestrians over.  Here people pay $1.50 for almuerzos.  Here people dance to salsa music and celebrate Carnaval.  It's different, and I'm learning how to handle that difference slowly but surely.  I've had to learn to communicate with my community back home for support, but also to trust my new community here for support.  I've had complaining sessions with friends here about all the things we miss from home, but that doesn't change the fact that this new place, this new culture I'm surrounded by is so incredibly fascinating and something I know will bless me more than I could ever imagine.

[some pictures of the family and culture I am gaining]