Wednesday, May 16, 2012

LP LX--London Yesterday, Texas Now

As my final London post (although future blogs certainly may reference my London experience) I want to point out my gratefulness at having the opportunity to teach and live in London for over 3 months. I feel quite blessed for the experience and have altered my view of the world in many respects. Taking full advantage of the city in all its splendor, beauty, and yes occasional darkness, I completely embraced the musical arts, visual arts, and theatre arts, attending plays, musicals, concerts, and galleries several times each week. I shopped, ate, ran, walked, sat, prayed, and experienced every part of London I could find. At first I remained emotionally detached in a kind of abstract manner as I experienced the London world, but over time I must admit that I could not hold back my feelings and eventually became a Londoner in spirit if not in body.

With great love in my heart for the culture, the people, the climate, and my new life, I nearly assimilated into a Londoner, abandoning my Texas past. But even as my detachment disappeared and my ties to London strengthened, I was continually reminded of my Texas world, my family, friends, and my employer. Did Benjamin Franklin struggle with these same issues? After all, he lived in London for ten years apart from his family and friends. How sympathetic was he really with the colonists across the ocean? Did he nearly act as a double agent, supporting London against the revolution? Of course in the end, Franklin rejected his London world and returned to the colonies, joining in the revolution for independence.

There is a strange danger that occurs from temporarily living in a different culture. Upon the return, the adjustment is a little difficult, resulting in a type of ambiguity of cultural norms. With our interconnected world and commonality of relocation, people often live for many months in one culture only to return to a different culture a few months later. While the differences may feel incongruent, over time the result is a societal melding that can alter culture in subtle ways. This makes our world an amalgamation of lifestyles, culture, and broad influences not always obvious but certainly real.

I heard a comedian complain that he was tired of going to Starbucks, ordering coffee, and trying to communicate with the person behind the counter who did not speak English. The audience laughed and applauded his statement. While part of me understands his concern, in London I truly enjoyed the moments of trying to communicate with people who did not understand English very well. I would nearly instantly fall into a basic language without subtle references and rely on hand gestures to get the point across. They would often do the same with me. Add a big smile to the moment and usually things go well. Sure, it can be a challenge but, at the same time, it is an opportunity to hear a different accent, to communicate a different way, and mostly to learn that the world is not made up of one kind of person.

As I finish this post I am wistful for my London life with its fresh food, lots of walking, unlimited museums, galleries, concerts, and architecture. Strangely, in many ways I also enjoyed the anonymity of London which results in a kind of social equality for everyone (monarchy excluded of course). After a few confusing weeks of cultural adjustment, I am once again comfortable in my Texas world. While this is mostly positive, I must admit to missing a small part of my London life. Be that as it may, it sure is great to be home again.