Travel

Is cynicism a cycle?

Dear Reader, have you ever lived overseas in the same locale for an extended period of time?  Do you agree with the contention that after the initial honeymoon with a new culture ends, you enter a cynical period in which you become overly critical of the location where you live?  I talked to a Korean friend whom I met while in the United States.  She argued that after awhile, foreigners (including herself when she was in the U.S.) who live apart from their own culture grow disillusioned with their host country and become increasingly cynical and skeptical of their environs.  She went on to postulate that these feelings fade with time and eventually lead to a silent reconciliation with the host country’s culture, finally ending in euphoria as the expatriate returns to his or her own culture, or moves to another country.  Do you agree?
 
I think this argument may be generally true, with two caveats.  One, a person can fight these urges to be hypercritical of one’s host country by dwelling on the positive aspects of their surroundings.  Two, a person who is well-acquainted with their adopted country also understands the reality of that culture and can adjust to it by embracing what they appreciate about the culture and marginalizing what they do not accept.  I thought of this topic tonight after griping last night about overpaying for airline tickets on Asian airlines.  Did I write it because I’m entering a cynical period during my two-year stay in Korea?  Possibly.  It is true that my earlier writings on Korea were generally more positive than they are now.  It may be in part because of my ever-increasing experience with Korean culture and general preference for American culture (I am, after all, American, not Korean).  Korean and American culture can be very different and at times, conflicting.  I have less than one year left until I leave Korea.  Now that I’ve been here for almost 1.5 years, I also have a better understanding of Korea.  I appreciate some aspects of Korean culture more than I ever could have while learning about it from afar; in other respects, I appreciate Korean culture less now that I experience it every day.  Koreans might say that that is because I don’t truly appreciate all Korea has to offer, but it’s an assumption that is independent of culture.  They react in much the same way when they are in America.  In all things, I try to dwell on the positive even when I am frustrated with the negative.  For every lousy driver who cuts me off in traffic, there is an ajuma who serves delicious Korean food with a smile and a politeness I will surely miss when I leave.
 
Am I more cynical now about Korea than I was?  Oh, probably.  If you live overseas, Dear Reader, are you more cynical about your adopted culture than you were when you first arrived?  I’m sure you are/were.  But I think it’s critical to recall the positive aspects of a culture, and when possible, balance the cynicism with an appreciation of the benefits you gain living in a foreign country.

New photos added

Dear Reader, I added six new photos albums with photos taken during our recent vacation in the United States.  Enjoy!  All photos were taken in Western Montana, North Idaho, and Eastern Washington.  If a picture is worth about 1,000 words, then I just condensed a 65,000 word blog entry into some very nice photos.  One of these days I’ll actually write something worthwhile about our trip.  Until then, enjoy a glimpse of what I consider one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Idaho minorities and Californian transplants

As Asian woman passed me by today.  She was the first Asian I remember seeing since I returned to Idaho.  My wife is Asian, so that’s a misperception (when I look at my wife I don’t think of her ethnicity).  Seeing this Asian woman in an Idaho store reminded me of how long it’s been since I’ve stayed in a place with so few minorities.  When I grew up in North Idaho, I thought nothing of the fact that my high school did not have any minority students.  Not even Hispanics, many of whom live in Washington State.  The only family of minority descent that I knew as a kid was an African American family living in the area.  They loved living in Idaho despite being the only African American family in a 15-20 mile radius.  Even today, North Idaho is still a very Caucasian place.  Southern Idaho, particularly Boise, the state capital and largest city, is more diverse.  Most recent Idaho transplants are Caucasian, and most hail from Southern California and the Bay Area. 
 
Idaho, especially North Idaho, has been unfairly labeled a racist place, largely because of stories about the Aryan Nations white supremists who made their home in Hayden Lake, Idaho, and the presence of controversial residents such as Bo Gritz and Mark Fuhrman.  In fact, Idaho is home to an eclectic group of people in spite of an underrepresentation of minority groups.  Despite its socio-demographic reputation, I believe that Idahoans are extremely friendly people and that minorities would find Idahoans generally tolerant of all ethnic groups.  Minorities may find it difficult to obtain necessities to help them maintain their own cultural identities (such as finding good kimchi), but I believe that they would be warmly welcomed by locals if they moved to Idaho.  Idaho’s minorities groups have strongly influenced Idaho’s history.  In fact, during the 1860’s Idaho had more ethnic Chinese living within its territory than Americans, Chinese who came to mine for gold.  Moscow, Idaho was named by Russian settlers, Coeur d’Alene by French trappers.  Garden City, a Boise suburb, was originally settled by Chinese farmers.  Over 1,000 students, or one in eleven students at the University of Idaho are of minority descent.  Each year the university hosts the prestigious Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, one of the country’s largest university music festivals.  Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce tribe stands as one of the most famous Native Americans in American history and one of my favorite historical figures.
 
Interestingly, Californians actually face more opposition in Idaho than minorities do.  Thousands of Californians have relocated to Idaho in recent years, sending housing prices and property taxes through the roof.  Pristine rural areas have given way to wall-to-wall subdivisions.  Lakes once open for recreation have become ponds for the wealthy.  Californians who made a lot of money from good jobs and real estate have cashed in and relocated to Idaho for a cheaper, more comfortable lifestyle.  Many came to retire here.  Unfortunately, most do not bring good jobs with them, leaving the locals to work service sector jobs that don’t pay enough to sustain an ample lifestyle.  I have had more conversations about real estate, taxes, and Californians since I returned to Idaho than I have ever had.  The story I hear is the same–the influx of wealthy outsiders (mostly Californians) is making life difficult for the locals.  If you move to Idaho, it is better not to announce that you made a boatload of money in Southern California and are looking for a $2 million mansion to buy on the water.  You’re likely to get an earful.