East and West

After spending nearly two weeks away, being surrounded by the life and culture of thailand, and living cheaply as a college student; some of the accommodations being home-stays; i feel that i gained a little bit more of an understanding about basic living in the east. I didn't realize to what extent, until i got back and watched a movie. Don't laugh here, the movie was Fame, but in a way it actually really accurately portrays the societal norm and perception (in western culture) of how we feel we must live our lives. In a way i was appalled. I noticed the drastic differences between the two cultures and found myself hoping that i'd be strong enough to try and implement as much as i could of the eastern way of life i've acquired here into my life when i return home. It will be so easy to fall back into the routine again. I have found that eastern culutre seems to revolve much more around the family and overall happiness. They work, but not to the point that it drives them to a physical breakdown and exhaustion like is so common in the united states. The US as a society seems ot me to be driven by success. But then there is the argument of the cost of living in both places, true, it is a LOT cheaper to live here. You can see that by the two dollar water bill i have for a month. and i have yet to have to pay for electric. You can eat a meal out for a dollar, and if i had a kitchen could cook for even less on average. But what is it that really makes the eastern way of life so much more appealing, is it even attainable in the united states? Did we create a world like this for ourselves? Happiness is easy to find. I am not the sole person to say this. Every thai i have interviewed for my independent study has verified the same thing. If i were to ask you that, my western friend, would you say the same? I'll bet i'd have a different ratio. So the challenge i am placing before myself is to attempt to integrate portions of the life i have come to observe here, and partially embraced for myself here. And once i have my own place, it could be a couple years down the road, but when that day comes, hopefully i will remember the experiences i have had, the people i have met, and the lessons they've told me, and somehow find a balance between these and those that my parents,and my society have ingrained me me for my life up to this point. The lesson that really struck me was from Mam, the yoga instructor in Pai, she teaches her daughter to give more than she has. How can you do this? Here it seems plausible, in my western environment, i would soon be giving my spot on the city street sidewalk.