No Final State

On April 4, my cohort celebrated our one year anniversary of service in Albania. That's a milestone that deserves reflection. I'd like to think that as much as I am still the same person, I am not. One of the beauties about PC is that you learn what you appreciate (and don't) about your home country, your country of service, and yourself. Here are some of my thoughts.

1. Having lived in a so called "developed country" - the USA - and a "developing country" - Albania - I have found that these phrases are a flawed distinction.

   First, Merriam-Webster provides a couple definitions of "develop" including, "to work out the possibilities of," "to make active or promote the growth of," and "to cause to evolve or unfold gradually: to lead or conduct (something) through a succession of states or changes each of which is preparatory for the next."

   Throughout our entire lives, we inevitably grow and develop. Often, we value and celebrate that growth within ourselves. Have you ever heard anyone earnestly say, "well, now that I'm 40, I am officially done growing as a person" or "I graduated college, so I'm done learning forever?" Probably not. Now, let's say that you are driven to develop yourself. Be it basketball or bassoon, would it help you to say "I'm perfect" or "what could be better, and how do I fix it?" I suggest the latter. It recognizes that nothing is perfect. When asked why he still practiced despite his decades long professional career, cellist Pablo Casals once said, "because I think I am making progress." There's always room for growth and improvement whether you're a novice or professional, age 8 or 88.

   Why then should it be any different for a country which is, at it's core, just a collection of individuals? Like people, every country has its issues. Like people, a country that considers itself done developing is deeply flawed. There are some things I love about Albania that we could use more of in the USA, and vice versa. I can't think of greater patriotism than a country that recognizes its flaws and endeavors to fix them. What is a greater example of love for country than to say, "I have thought deeply about your potential, and I will invest my time, my energy, and my life in helping you reach it."

   Therefore, I see the term "developing" as a positive, a label that recognizes the potential and possibilities for the future of a people. Furthermore, I believe that all countries are developing countries - there is no final state (pun intended).

2. Don't take things for granted. Things I no longer take for granted include heat, water, electricity, quick transportation, quick drying laundry, toilet paper and soap in public bathrooms, and being around people my age.

3. We are a materialist society. The constant need for new things is intense. I think I've noticed this due to the frugality intrinsic to Peace Corps, not because of Albanian culture. Albanians like to shop, and people congratulate someone who bought something new. "E gëzofsh," in this context, means "enjoy your new possession!"

4. Don't judge until you know what you're talking about. When something is unfamiliar, society happily fills in the blanks for you. This was especially apparent to me around the time of the recent NYC election. Thanks to Peace Corps, I have been living in an exclusively Muslim community for over a year. My habits, daily life, and beliefs haven't been challenged by it, but my immersion here has touched me and, hopefully, made me a better person. I know some Muslims who eat pork. I know some who wear headdresses but scores who don't. I know some who fast all Ramadan and some who fast only two days. I consider at least 6 Muslims to be my family. That being said, don't judge. Interests, personalities, faces, flaws, virtues, human nature, it's all the same. Values might express differently at times, but even an exclusively Christian society is bound to have many different denominations. Now, go find a mosque open to public visitors. They're frequently peaceful and gorgeous, and they're one of my favorite parts of Albania.

5. "Avash, avash." This popular Turkish phrase translates to mean "slowly, slowly." I was so used to living life at Mach 10 that it was kind of surprising to realize that I didn't have to. Life moves at the same speed whether you're rushing or not. Also, it's challenging to plan or keep a strict schedule in a society where that doesn't really exist. The furgon or the bus will come when it comes. Nobody really has an exact time for when its coming, but it is. Probably.

6. I've become more comfortable not knowing what the heck people are saying around me. I like to understand and improve my language skills, but sometimes the dialect just goes too hard. If I am in an environment where it's difficult to understand, I hang around as long as I can and then leave because the loneliness and sadness will set in.