Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Lucky
One of the big reasons I moved to Asia was to test myself and figure out who I am; if I was immersed in an alien culture and had to conform to their ways, what would be left of my 'self'?
I'll admit right now that I don't know myself as well as I could. So living in Asia was a way of really getting at who I am. Essentially, distilling some of the American out of me, and seeing what was left. If you want to know what something is made of, you put it in a new environment. Take it out of the cold and see what the heat does to it.
For an American, Asia is a great place to learn about the core of your personality.
For me, the big news was that I actually have one. I never knew that there was a point past which I couldn't be bent, but in Asia I found it. While I had few problems adapting to the cultures I found myself in, there were some things I just couldn't do. Others I couldn't stop doing.
If you want to put a new fold in your brain, Asia's a good place to do it. But it won't happen over a two-week vacation.
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Interesting post Lucky..
As I was reading the thread from the initial posts, I was going to just say that 'I am who I am where ever I am' having always been headstrong and non conformist has made me a round peg not fit for square holes, I havent been too great with jobs and authority, etc.
Reading your post makes me wonder if that makeup was what made me set for travelling (my parents did an amazing job of starting that though, very interesting and diverse childhood) and not made for the static option. To make those changes as a teen must be so much easier than later in life.
As I am into my 30's now I am definitely mellowing, that may come as a surprise to those that know me in person, but if anything I was louder and more abrasive when young, add in young cocky and making money and you can imagine what a gob shite I was !!
I do think travel broadens your mind and makes you a more complete and interesting person, certainly I am always keen to talk to people who do enjoy the unknown and travel. Especially travel into third world or culture shock places, being the only white face in town has to give you a certain sense of self as opposed to the group kind of thing.