Finding Similarity in Unfamiliarity

One thing I have found myself doing here in Thailand is using strategies to cope with my new found 'differentness'. It is not like I value blending in and conforming with the masses, but I am sure like anyone who finds themselves in a strange situation, I too am trying to fit in.

At my stay in the hospital I found myself looking for One such instance of familiarity. I was staying in a room with several other patients while in the hospital and witnessed several family visits, one of which particularly struck me. The woman in the bed across from me (appeared to be around 'grandma age')was visited frequently by a large welcoming familial looking group, as was every other patient in the room.

So what was particularly intriguing about this woman and her family?? The way they seemed to care for each other and include in their intimacy for each other a physical sense and disregard for distance and shame. This is how my large Mexican family often is! Often what looked to be the granddaughters (one around my age and the other around 10) would hop into bed with the woman and remaining family (husband, daughter, sisters, friends)would cluster in chairs around her. The closeness I saw demonstrated between family members such as kisses, hugging, personal closeness and open dialogue between all members regardless of age reminded me of the way my family interacted back home.

To see this same type of affection demonstrated in an otherwise 'different' or 'dissimilar' country not only comforted me but increased my understanding of a culture that labeled me 'strange'.