Perceptions

Perception. It’s a funny thing. With a fresh pair of eyes we try to configure our new surroundings, but first impressions are not always as they seem. The reality of a new people, place and culture rarely matches up with the images we have in our heads. As I boarded the plane to Niamey in Istanbul I struck up a conversation with an 8- year old American boy. He asked me if I have ever been to Africa and I replied, “No.” “Well, he said, “However you think it’s going to be in your head, it’s different than that.” When I asked him if he thinks I will like it, he thought for a moment, then answered, “It depends on what you like.” Not only was I taken aback by his words of wisdom, but with the likelihood he was absolutely right. As I write this I have only been to my house, the house next door, and school. Later today we will gather at the Ambassador’s residence for a promotion ceremony of a teacher’s husband. Social events of any kind are particularly appealing as we don’t get out much. The reality of living in a fishbowl still hasn’t fully sunk in. With that said, it’s not as I imagined it to be. I feel safe in my home, and the daily bomb sweeps of our car at school have become routine. It’s hard to imagine, I know. The people here are warm and friendly in demeanor. In a matter of a few days I have seen acts of kindness that are few and far between in many other places. The reality and perception of an immediate threat are not the same. With that said, I do not plan to test the waters on this, but for purposes of sanity believe it’s important to understand the difference. What I thought I knew about the world and life in a Muslim country have been proved false. Preconceived notions we carry with us are often toxic. If you say you don’t have them, somewhere deep down, and they don’t surface in your thoughts if only for a moment, you are lying. We all do. The difference is whether or not you are willing to admit it, and break past those barriers. It’s only when we are honest with ourselves that we can face our fear of the unknown and cease to be afraid of what we don’t understand. The house I live in is by far the grandest place I have ever resided. We have a pool in the front yard and a gardener. My bathroom is over half the size of my first apartment and the first night I got lost in the many hallways. There are four bedrooms and mine is well furnished and comfortable. My favorite part of the house is the grand staircase that leads to the roof. From a design perspective it is a horrible use of space, but just like the pool in the front yard and the 24 hour security, it is a display of wealth in this culture. Before you go thinking that I am living like the “other half” bear in mind how much we go without. The power goes out almost daily, along with the internet. We are restricted to only certain places in the city and mostly just our house, school, and the embassy. I am not allowed to get mail. That means I can’t order any of the things that aren’t available in this country. We bring in our own coffee, laundry detergent, cosmetics and toiletries, bath towels, sheets, furniture, kitchen supplies, etc. If you are willing to push the boundary it is amazing to see how adaptable a person can be. Those things I always thought I couldn't live without are no longer things. The images in my mind of how Africa would be and life in a Muslim country have changed. It's only when we push the boundary and explore that we truly begin to understand the world we live in.