Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh My!

            Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Dorothy realized very quickly during her journey following the yellow brick road that other creatures exist outside of her Kansas home besides her beloved Toto. I had a very similar experience during my move to Africa. I grew up surrounded by birds, rabbits, squirrels, dogs, cats, and cows. But it wasn’t until I followed my yellow brick road to Luanda that I realized I was no longer sharing my yard with those same animals, and instead was sharing my world with some very different creatures. Or rather, they were sharing their world with me.

            After settling in to my new home, I decided to go to work with Adam one day to check out the factory. As we turned onto the road that runs in front of the factory, I couldn’t believe my eyes. There were pigs and piglets running around on the street feasting on the trash that people had thrown out. Adam, having lived in Luanda for five years, wasn’t nearly as fascinated by this as I was and considered it to be just a normal part of his day. And yes, I realize that we have pigs in Kansas, but how many times have you driven down 2^nd street in Atchison and had to slow down to let pigs cross the road? Almost every morning that I go to the factory with Adam, the little pigs are there to greet me. I guess those little piggies may never make it to the market.

            On another occasion, we were driving down the road when I spotted a couple of goats climbing a mountain composed of dirt and trash. And once again, I do realize that we have goats in the States but they don’t usually roam freely and instead are kept on farms. Apparently Africans have a little more faith in their goats than we do in the States because they allow them to stroll from one dirt pile to the next, no strings attached.

            The Mariginal and Ilha have also afforded me some very unique experiences. Adam and I enjoy walking along the Mariginal in the evenings. During our first stroll, I noticed that the water was extremely calm with the exception of a few large waves that seemed to come out of nowhere. It wasn’t until I stopped and took a closer look that I realized those waves weren’t waves at all. They were actually entire schools of fish jumping out of the water at the same time as if they were practicing their synchronized swimming routine. It was an absolutely incredible sight to see, but it wasn’t the only incredible thing that we would get to witness that night. We watched as those same schools of fish became dinner for many of the coastal birds. The birds hovered over the schools of fish before diving straight down and often coming up with their prey secured tightly in their beaks. Dinner is served.

            And as if the schools of fish and birds weren’t shocking enough, we have had several other run-ins with Earth’s beautiful creatures. Adam and I often spend afternoons soaking up the sun's rays and cooling off in the deep blue sea. We usually share the beach with people who enjoy family outings on the Ilha. And what’s a family day at the beach without the family dog? One afternoon I was watching as a local Angolan walked his dog on the beach in front of us. I couldn’t help but notice the dog’s incredible vertical when it jumped up next to its owner. I pulled my shades down and took a closer look. The man wasn’t walking his dog on the beach, but instead was walking his pet monkey. Only in Africa. 

            The journey down my yellow brick road has certainly led me to some very unique experiences. I may miss the rabbits and squirrels back home in Kansas, but I love the new animals that I am becoming more familiar with in my new environment. Pigs and goats and monkeys, oh my!

Flying 101

            I have become extremely familiar with the air travel process over the past few years. During the past few weeks alone, I have spent over fifty hours either on a plane or in an airport. I have learned how to pack a suitcase completely full without it going over the acceptable fifty pound weight limit, how to check in and make it through security without setting the metal detector off, how to make it through a long flight next to some of the most unpleasant people, and how to get through customs without completely losing my mind.

            I realize that I don’t spend nearly as much time on airplanes as some individuals, but I feel as if I have a good grasp on some of the basics of flying. It hadn’t really dawned on me until recently that many people lack that knowledge or are just in dire need of a refresher course. I decided to take the time to reflect on my last few flights and point out a few tips that may help my fellow travelers.

            First and foremost, I want to talk about terminal security. I’m sure everyone has watched the news at some point in the last ten years and realize that airports have bumped up security significantly, and for good reason. But for those of you living under a rock, here is how it all works. After checking in for your flight, the next step is to go through security. According to all of the large signs posted every two feet inside the airport, you are not allowed to carry sharp objects, sporting goods, guns and firearms, tools, martial arts and self defense items, explosive and flammable materials, disabling chemicals, and no more than 3.4 ounces of non-dangerous liquids. So please do us all a favor and leave your guns, axes, meat cleavers, swords, nunchucks, dynamite, hand grenades, and tear gas at home. It will save you from an endless amount of time explaining why you even own such items, not to mention save you a lot of money from legal fees, and mostly likely from time behind bars.  

            Also, don’t bother trying to get that $20 bottle of Coca Cola you just bought in the airport through security. Last time I checked, Coca Cola doesn’t sell 3.4 ounce cans which can only mean that the bottle in your hand is not allowed past security. I completely understand if you want to finish it before going through the line, but please step out of line to do so instead of standing there in front of the metal detector chugging it while thirty annoyed travelers look on.

            Next, you will be required to take your computer, if you have one, out of your bag and place both the computer and the bag on the belt to be scanned. You will also be required to take off your shoes and place them on the belt along with any metal that you may have in your pockets or on you. And yes, your belt most likely has a metal buckle on it just like the guy in front of you who set the metal detector off because he failed to remove his belt. Do us all a favor and take it off before you go through the metal detector. And please, for the sake of all of the passengers behind you who are trying to catch a flight, don’t empty your pockets one coin at a time and try to go through the detector. It isn’t one specific coin that is setting the machine off so just take them all out at once.

            After you have successfully made it through security, proceed to your gate and wait for your flight to start boarding. I realize that you and your teenage friends may have just bought souvenir blow horns at the airport shop, but inside the gate whilst waiting to board is not the time to test the horns out. Wait until you have reached your final destination and then by all means, feel free to show off your awesome souvenirs to your loved ones.

            Once in flight, please listen to the pilots and flight attendants. The Captain and Co-Pilot usually have an Air Force background, an impressive flight log, and an extensive amount of training that tells me they know more about flying than the rest of us. If the Captain asks the flight attendants to end services and take a seat for a brief period due to severe turbulence, that doesn’t mean that you should get up and start helping yourself to your luggage, drinks, or anything else that requires you to be out of your seat. I’d rather have you safely in your seat and bored without your iPad than falling in my lap because you decide that you need Candy Crush in your life at the same moment that we are flying through a severe thunderstorm.

            Also, I understand wanting to get as comfortable as possible on a flight, especially the long flights. But if you don’t believe in showering or wearing socks with your shoes, then you have no business taking your shoes off in the confined space of an airplane. One, I should not be able to smell your feet while sitting five rows behind you. And two, if I can smell your feet from five rows away, I should not have to contemplate whether or not I will need to use the barf bag in the seat pocket in front of me because of the smell. If other people around you are asking the flight attendants to make you put your shoes back on, then you should probably just afford them the common courtesy and do it.

            Now lets talk about landing. Most people don’t realize that takeoff and landing can be the most dangerous parts of flying. There are strict rules that the airlines follow to keep everyone safe. Just because one of the wheels on the plane has touched down does not mean that we have landed safely and you can stand up and start to crawl over me while we are cruising down the runway at 200 miles per hour. And it certainly doesn’t mean that you are free to get up and move about the cabin. If the flight attendants are yelling at you from their seats, you need to stop doing whatever it is that you are doing and return to your seat immediately. And if the flight attendants have to get up and physically make you sit down, you should probably never do whatever you just did again.

            The fun doesn’t stop after the plane has landed safely. After an international flight, we all have to go through immigration. Yes, every immigration process is slightly different depending on the country, but there are a few things that should be considered standard. One, it is never okay to stand behind me in line and hawk loogies up while proceeding to spit them on the ground next to my feet and luggage. We are inside of an airport. I realize that your sinuses might be a mess due to the long flight, but please use a restroom to take care of that issue. Two, if you need to sneeze, please cover your nose and mouth like your parents taught you to do when you were a child. And if they never taught you to be polite, follow the actions of the hundred people around you. The blouse of the woman in front of you is not a Kleenex, and I’m sure she would really appreciate it if she didn’t have to wear your snot on her back for the rest of the day.

            Despite spending days at a time stuck inside busy airports or on planes, I have to admit that I am rarely bored. Observing the behavior of others has truly become an entertaining and educational experience for me. I have quickly found myself becoming more and more aware of how my own actions and travel habits affect the people around me. Needless to say, I avoid wearing anything metal at all cost, never take my shoes off during flight, and sit patiently until the plane has come to a complete stop. Happy travels everyone!

Have a Coke and a Smile

            Living half way around the world and in a time zone seven hours ahead of Kansas made it nearly impossible for us to watch the Super Bowl, which based on the score, it may have been a blessing in disguise. But despite the fact that we didn’t watch the game, I did make a point to get online the following day and watch some of the Super Bowl’s infamous commercials. Of course I fell in love with the puppy on the Budweiser commercial and like most of America, I wanted to take the puppy home with me. I found humor in the humming Heinz commercial. But it was the Coca-Cola commercial that truly moved me, which is why I don’t understand the backlash from it.

            I understood the commercial to be a creative way to show that our country is more than just a large piece of land. We have substance as well. I am young, which means that my life experience and knowledge is limited to just twenty-seven years. But my marriage and life-changing move to Africa have given me the opportunity to see past so many obstacles in life that I hope many other Americans get past in their lifetime.

            As portrayed in the commercial, America is a “melting pot” or “salad bowl” where people from all over the world who speak different languages, have different beliefs, and practice different religions sacrificed something to be the fresh ingredients that make our country so special. But based on recent Facebook posts, media coverage, and various other comments that I have come across since the airing of the Coca-Cola commercial, it seems as though many Americans want to forget about our roots and the fact that immigration is one of the special ingredients that made our country what it is today.

            I understand that Americans want everyone to speak English and follow the popular norm because that would make life much simpler. But I ask myself, what is the norm and why English? Everyone has different faiths and beliefs as well as different views on what the norm should be. For example, Miley Cyrus recently made headlines with her risqué performance at the Video Music Awards. Some people believed that her performance was inappropriate while others found it to be a beautiful expression of art and emotion. Whether you believe it was inappropriate or not, it shows that we don’t all have to agree, and we certainly don’t have to have one set of norms.

            As for the language, why English? Many people speak multiple languages, which is quite a relief considering the United States of America doesn’t have a national language, something many people failed to consider when making their mind up about the commercial. And when we claim to speak English, how many people actually speak correct English? Over the years I have listened closely to a language that has changed so drastically. The word ‘whip’ use to refer to an instrument used for striking; however, now it is a term that teenagers and young adults use when referring to a vehicle. It seems rather hypocritical to ask everyone to speak English when many of us don’t do a very good job of it ourselves.

            Watching the commercial and reflecting on my own life has given me the answers that I needed to understand why not everyone understood the commercial or accepted its meaning. I grew up in a small town in the middle of the United States. I didn’t experience a lot of the diversity and cultural differences that America has to offer. It wasn’t until later in life that I got my first taste, and let me just tell you, it kept me wanting more. I not only moved halfway around the world to a continent that I had never stepped foot on before, but I also married into it.

            Many people may not realize that my husband is half Lebanese. Adam's father Jamil was born and raised in Lebanon before moving to Kansas to pursue an education in engineering at Wichita State University. I hadn’t met anyone from Lebanon, been friends with any Muslims, or even heard much Arabic before marrying into this wonderful family. Over the past few years I have been fortunate enough to learn about the Muslim faith, get to know more about the Lebanese culture, eat DELICIOUS Lebanese dishes and pastries, while feeling a part of something much greater than I could have ever imagined. Not only have I been so blessed to have married into such an amazing family that has taught me so much about life, but this has also been an eye opening and educational experience for so many of my family members and friends. I am still hearing about how much fun everyone from Atchison had while learning and participating in the Dabke, an Arabic dance, at our wedding.

            But aside from all of that, I have also had the unique experience of traveling to foreign countries as well as moving to one. Living in Angola has been quite an adjustment for me as my blogs have painted a very clear picture for everyone. I’ve been making an honest effort to learn Portuguese and adjust to life here, and let me tell you, it certainly hasn't been a walk in the park. And although learning the language, culture, and way of life here has helped me to feel more comfortable, the people here have also made a huge difference in the way I perceive my new home. It has made realize just how much more this world has to offer.

            Of course I am not suggesting that everyone pack up their bags, book a plane ticket, and move halfway around the world because that would be completely irrational and unnecessary considering diversity is already in our own backyards. But I do hope that instead of closing the doors to an opportunity of a lifetime that Americans choose to keep the doors open and experience just what the United States has to offer. I think that the Coca-Cola commercial is absolutely beautiful and amazing because it allows us to see the diversity within our own country. This makes the United States unique because very few other countries have this to offer their citizens. Instead of people being upset or offended by what they think Coca-Cola is trying to portray in their commercial, I wish that everyone could see just how lucky they are to live in a country that has so much to offer.  

1-800-NO-AAA

            One of the most common questions that I hear from people when they learn that I live in Angola, Africa is whether or not I feel safe in my new environment. Many people are shocked when I tell them that I often feel safer in Luanda than I do in the States. The headlines and all of the media coverage of the violence in the States over the past few years have certainly heightened my uneasiness in the States making adjusting to life in a foreign country a bit easier.

            Africa is a huge continent. And yes, there are some countries that are in complete turmoil right now, but no, Angola isn’t one of them. Just because it isn’t in turmoil doesn’t mean that there isn’t any crime. A routine trip to the grocery store was all I needed to remind me that like any other country, it still comes with certain risks and safety hazards.

            Adam and I were cruising along the soggy roads on the way to the store when our car took a dive into one of the many manholes along the road. Our tire fit perfectly into the round hole almost as if the hole was made for it. Adam talked a few guys into lifting the car up and out of the hole. We may have survived the mishap, but our tire didn’t have the same luck. Considering calling AAA isn’t an option in Luanda, we decided to try to make it to the factory to have one of the employees change it there.

            About five minutes into the drive to the factory we knew that we weren’t going to make it. Adam saw a small shack on the side of the road with a leaning tower of tires indicating that they perform tire changes. Did I mention that advertising varies slightly from the States? Since we didn’t have much of a choice at this point, we pulled over. I stayed in the car while Adam got out and talked to a few of the men. I was suddenly reintroduced to the feelings of fear and nervousness. 

            Just as my mind started to create a million different versions of how the tire change might go, I heard the back door open. Being able to see Adam and knowing that he was still standing right outside my car door, my head immediately jerked in the direction of the creaking noise of the door. I was shocked when I noticed that the door was opening slowly but no one was there. Sounds like something out of a horror film, right? Then suddenly our eyes met. A strange man was trying to sneak into the backseat to steal whatever he could find. His deer in headlights expression told me that he was just as shocked to see me in the car as I was to see him trying to sneak into the car. I reached hastily into the backseat and grabbed our camera, the one item worth taking. Before I had a chance to get Adam’s attention, the man shut the door carefully to avoid anymore unwanted attention on him and started to walk off. I watched him as he got further and further away from our car. He turned around and gave me one last look before disappearing into the crowd of people.

            My heart was pounding and the blood was racing through my veins as I sat there frozen in fear. Someone had just tried to get into our car while I was in it and Adam was standing next to it. I locked the doors and waited for thirty minutes while the men changed our tire. Adam barely had a chance to get back into the car and buckle his seat belt before I was spouting out my version of events that had just taken place. After our rough beginning to our trip, we made it to the store and home safely without any more problems.

            As scary as the entire situation was, I am glad that it happened because it reminded of a valuable life lesson that I learned early on in life. We need to always be aware of our surroundings and never take safety for granted. And even though I can go to a movie in Luanda and have peace of mind knowing that a man in a costume won’t open up fire during the showing, or go to the mall and not look over my shoulder worried that the guy next to me is about to go on a rampage, or that I can see the children playing on the playground at school and know that the chance of one of them bringing a gun to school and shooting his or her peers and educators is slim, I am still aware of the fact that Luanda has crime just like every other country.