Algeria, France, Guadeloupe and China by way of 23rd Street

So, I went to a volunteer orientation last night. It was for an organization that helps people new to New York City learn English and get accustomed to American culture. This is all in preparation for my time teaching in Namibia. I was paired up with a woman a few years older than me who was from Algeria. Let me tell you, it was fascinating to learn about Algerian culture! She is Muslim and recently came to the U.S. with her husband who is here doing some contracted work for a bank. I think visiting Algeria would be an EXCELLENT experience... just culturally enriching.

I also met a sister who was closer to my age and from Paris. She is here for the summer with her father, and her family is actually originally from Guadeloupe, a french speaking Caribbean nation. (Putting that on my list of places to visit ASAP!!) In the end, I exchanged contact info with both of them. It was so fun to be making friends from different parts of the world! I really felt in my element, which actually came as a total surprise. I think people respect you as long as you don't come across as a "dumb American". Loved it!!

The orientation was interesting though. There was a Chinese woman who said one of the first things she noticed when she arrived in the U.S. was how fat everyone was. Then she said from TV it seemed like most of the "fat" people are in the middle of the U.S. lol In China, she said, everyone only eats 3 times a day, no snacks. She also said she has had a tough time finding clothes that fit her, so she's been shopping in children's departments. I was like - what??? I meant to pull her aside and give her some suggestions because I know what it is to be petite and feel like you can't find anything mature to wear. But that was years ago, when I was a teenager. Now, the petite wear has expanded so much (or maybe just my hips) that it's pretty easy to find things in my range.

The Chinese woman also said that she volunteers in a hospital here in NYC, and she was struck by how many American families seemingly leave their elderly relatives to rot in hospitals. Whereas in China, everyone chips in to take care of an elderly person. Really made me think...