The end of the "honey moon"

Today I realized that I’m reaching second stage of cultural shock. It’s been a month and half I’m here. Every day while I drive home from the office I have quite some time to reflect on everything what is happening. The way I felt today made me realize that the environment I live in no more seems to be exciting and my so called “honey moon” in Dubai is getting to the end.

So far bus drive in traffic jam for one hour an a half seem to be normal experience and the drivers culture to honk to every car seem to be a part of driving culture. And it still is a part of the culture, but today I realized how much of tension and stress it brings to me. Every time I’m get out of the bus I’m ready to shout at the driver! These are not the best feelings to have at the end of long day, however you are taking the same route from the bus station to your place, on these narrow packed streets with lots of small shops and cafeterias, the air in these streets are stuffed it seems with all the smells of the world, and unfortunatelly not the best ones. You don’t want to walk on the sidewalk, because you want to escape of these old men looks. Even if you think, ok that bus driver sucks, but like is beautiful, I want to smile for the world, but if you go with the smile on your face there you will get all these smiles and remarks in a language that you don’t understand, but from their look you realize their meaning. So all you want to do is just to look down, and fasten your steps just to escape from all of that. It makes you angry, because you cannot be yourself and have to wear mask of very cold/arrogant person who walks with glass expression on the face. I really missed to catch up strangers eyes and exchange smiles; just simple sincere smile which doesn’t cost you anything, but makes your day brighter.

This is how I was walking today and at the point when tears blocked my breath I caught myself and said this is the time to use “be strong” driver. A hug would have helped me a lot on that time. However, head up, shoulders back, deep breath. This evening I realized that long walk is my cure from letting me go down and stuck with negative feelings. It’s good exercise for body and soul, just to clear your mind of all the thoughts that been bothering you before. Every time going for shopping I would pass small Russian shop. Today I decided to enter it, and I was nicely surprised, there was a woman who greeted me in Russian and it was nice to have small chat with her on the product that the have, they do have lots of products that I wouldn’t get in ordinary supermarket, such as tasty sausages and sour cream. (Now i know where i get sourcream for weekends Cepelinai cooking!)

I took my walk back, had dinner and read book “The Little Prince” which was Auryte’s present for my farewell. This book is so simple and true, gives you food for thoughts.

Tip for tomorrow: buy some color stickers for my shoes!