Although there are things that are unusual like riding around in angkots, bathroom lights being on the outside of the bathroom door instead of inside, different foods... I had a hard time coming up with anything on the spot.
I think about my family, especially older family members, and I realize how as people age, people tend get set in their ways and in their perceptions of what normal is.
When I was at summer training, we talked about children who grow up moving all around the world and living in different countries. They have a very different perception of normal that even what I do, growing up in a very multi-cultural area of the United States. Is it normal that people walk around wearing a headdress or a burka? Is it normal that for an entire month of the year, a group of people publicly fast together? Is it normal that your class size is 15 kids? Is it normal that people live outside the country they were born in? While you and I would probably answer no to all of those questions, the kids I teach would answer yes to each without batting an eye.
This has been my challenge living in Indonesia. I ask myself questions all the time as well. Is it normal that some people live in complete poverty, lucky to have shoes on their feet while others live in large, air conditioned houses? Is it normal to live in a place where every person has a maid cleaning their house (including myself)? Is it normal to not have a car, but rather ride motorcycle everywhere?
I try to image dropping myself into a foreign country at age 35, or 45, or 65. How would I react differently to my surroundings? Would I have a harsher appraisal of my surroundings? Would I accept the "normal standard" or status quo that exists?
I challenge you to look into yourself and join this little journey with me. What is normal? And, can normal change?
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