when I had first heard this I got pissed off - how could someone say a thing like this? we are not oblivious to what's going on around us; we don't export our reality to a different country just for kicks; we don't just come here, earn tons of money and have a great time without thinking twice about all the luxuries we can buy for money here - even though we do this also. at the same time I think most of the expats here are well aware that they will not be able to save the world singel-handedly; but you can always try :-) so really, you have to try to balance between nurturing your illusions for which you originally (hopefully) came out here and the acceptance that you will never stop being european, american, whatever you are - and that side of you has to be nurtured too. and I can see how people could think that you are here on an extended action holiday, I guess what has been called erasmus 2.0.
and there is, I guess, a kernel of truth in it - for instance - we threw this party last weekend in honour of swiss national day - it was fancy dress and included typical swiss games such as wrestling and an africanised ski race, alphorns, and other fun things. it was a lush garden party with plenty of food, drink, music and fun. and of course by the end of it no one was in any state to do anything about the mess; so as is usual we walked away from it - we could deal with it the next day. only by the time I woke up and was ready to take a look at the extent of the mayhem my gardener had collected all the empty bottles and put them on the table on the terrace, he had cleared away all the crap, moved the chairs back up onto the terrace - in short - there was practically nothing left to do. I felt bad - it wasn't his job; I can clean up after myself, but I'm going to be honest: I was also chuffed - what a luxury, and one that I would certainly miss.
so I guess evil tongues could call it erasmus 2.0 - I would rather call it self-preservation, going to your happy place from time to time, charge your batteries to be able to confront the harsh realities outside the walls of your compound over and over again and to never stop trying to make this world a better place.
and there is, I guess, a kernel of truth in it - for instance - we threw this party last weekend in honour of swiss national day - it was fancy dress and included typical swiss games such as wrestling and an africanised ski race, alphorns, and other fun things. it was a lush garden party with plenty of food, drink, music and fun. and of course by the end of it no one was in any state to do anything about the mess; so as is usual we walked away from it - we could deal with it the next day. only by the time I woke up and was ready to take a look at the extent of the mayhem my gardener had collected all the empty bottles and put them on the table on the terrace, he had cleared away all the crap, moved the chairs back up onto the terrace - in short - there was practically nothing left to do. I felt bad - it wasn't his job; I can clean up after myself, but I'm going to be honest: I was also chuffed - what a luxury, and one that I would certainly miss.
so I guess evil tongues could call it erasmus 2.0 - I would rather call it self-preservation, going to your happy place from time to time, charge your batteries to be able to confront the harsh realities outside the walls of your compound over and over again and to never stop trying to make this world a better place.
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