It’s Sooo Different Here: Perspectives on Bolivian Culture from a Dual-Cultural Lens
Since I was born in Portland, Oregon at 4:00 am on February 12, 1997, I have been thrust into an identity that has mixed the way of life of my birth place, upbringing, and my parents’ heritage. As a Japanese-American, I have had the pleasure to grow up with dual cultures. Having been born and spent my entire life in the States, both English and Japanese were simultaneously exposed to me as my first languages. Despite my weekly vehement protest to my parents, every Saturday until 6th grade, I attended Japanese school where I furthered my education on Japanese and the culture. Looking back, I am extremely glad my parents forced me to go, as grown-up Gen has realized the importance of being able to speak multiple languages. Being able to visit Japan and speak the language to the locals and family members is something I am very appreciative of.
In order to preserve my parents’ culture and force active practice, Japanese was to be used when communicating in the house. Home cooked meals were almost always Japanese cuisine, I celebrated Japanese holidays and traditions with the family, and the house setting was predominately made up of Japanese decor. Outside the house however, English was obviously the dominant language of communication in schools, sports, and with friends. Although my ethnicity is Japanese, first and foremost however, I am a proud AMERICAN.
Growing up as a Japanese-American, I have always been supremely interested in other cultures and how different practices, perspectives, and products make up a culture. I was naturally interested in cultures and how different ways of living and languages can affect products, food, traditions, customs, and perspectives, and thinking. Especially in today’s world where the world is becoming increasingly flat, the importance of understanding one another and experiencing different cultures to create a more unified and connect world can not be understated. I believe that is where the importance of travel comes into play. The inevitable exposure to new perspectives and insights is invaluable in expanding yourself as a person and a necessary step towards being a global citizen.
Bolivia, the poorest country in South America, is landlocked and the dusty city of Cochabamba is nestled in the mountains at an elevation of 8400 feet. Compared to Portland, Oregon and Santa Clara, CA, where it is as close to sea level as a city can get, right off the bat, the environment has been a shock that you can see and feel. Especially, when I got off the plane and damn near passed out from elevation sickness. Despite the environmental shocks, after 5 weeks and 1 day here in Cochabamba, Bolivia, I have definitely had my fair share of culture shocks. Here are 3 interesting highlights:
1. The Sacred Importance of Lunch
Lunch here is IMPORTANT. Lunch here isn’t the quick 10 minute American lunch of last night’s leftovers thrown in the microwave and eaten in solitude with only the companionship of your iPhone as you nonchalantly catch up on your multiple social media feeds. No, none of that. Lunch here is a 2–3 hour affair where you eat your biggest meal of the day with close friends and family. Working here at AHA Bolivia, everybody leaves for lunch at 12:30 pm and have lunch from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, when you come back to the office and work until 5:30 pm. This is a common theme throughout Cochabamba as some businesses will close for a few hours during lunch.
Some of my favorite moments so far here has been during lunch as it has been a time to enjoy delicious food and engage socially with the other Global Fellows members that came with me to Bolivia. Every Friday, we go to the CEO of AHA Bolivia’s (Anna Aliaga) house for a lunch where she invites her personal friends from all over Cochabamba. These Friday lunches are something I look forward to every week as I have met the most fascinating people. From the world-famous Roberto Gironás, who was the former personal chef for Bill Gates, Ronald Reagan, and at the Playboy Mansion; ‘GoGo’, an Argentinean blues guitarist who performs all over Bolivia; Graciela, a former Argentinean children’s book illustrator who lived in the jungles of Chapare, Bolivia to escape the period of dictatorship in Argentina in the 70’s and 80’s where political dissidents where made to disappear and thousands were killed by the government. During this period, GoGo’s brother was also made to disappear. Additionally, Graciela’s husband is the architect behind the Christo statue in Cochabamba, which is the largest Christ statue in the world. These lunches have exposed me to the most fascinating peoples and personal accounts of historical realities that I didn’t even know existed.
2. Recuerda decir “Buenos Dias, Buenos Tardes, Buenos Noches”
Imagine yourself walking down the city streets of Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. Or any area in the United States where you will frequently be passing by people. You make eye contact, with a stranger heading your direction. It is most likely that this acknowledgement of their existence will be short-lived as you look away and keep walking by. In Cochabamba, Bolivia, in most cases this will be considered rude. In Bolivian culture, it is more common to say some sort of hi (‘Buenos Dias’, ‘Buenos Tardes’, or ‘Buenos Noches’, depending on the time of the day) to strangers on the street and especially to people you live with. It’s not like you are saying hi to every person you pass by on the street, but in instances where you are waiting in a line or make direct eye contact, it is common to greet.
Here in Cochabamba, I live in an apartment building and every time I see one of the other tenants or the front desk man, I have realized that it is a mutual understanding to greet one another and make sure to say hi. Sometimes in the States, it seems like saying ‘hi’ to strangers or people you see frequently but don’t personally know is like a criminal offense. For me, I wish American culture didn’t demonize greeting others as I believe that Americans can benefit from acknowledging each other and creating more of a sense of community, especially in a time when the country seems to divided. This aspect of greeting has been something that I have gotten used to and like a lot about Bolivian culture.
3. K-Pop’s Popularity in South America
One of the funniest moments of my time here has been due to the tremendous popularity of Korean pop music here in Bolivia. You might be wondering, K-pop? But I thought you said that you are Japanese. Let me explain…
During the last couple of weeks, the other SCU Global Fellows program, ‘Bolivia 4Ward,’ has been conducting a free tutoring camp here at the AHA Bolivia office. The free camp’s aim was to improve the mathematical skills for the children of AHA Bolivia’s artisans and for kids living in foster homes. Bolivia 4ward used Khan Academy and various exercises to teach and practice math to the kids. However, during their free time and also when they were bored from doing math, the popularity of K-pop here in Bolivia was apparent. A lot of the kids would watch K-pop music videos and interviews about their favorite groups. It was fascinating to see Bolivian kids who only spoke Spanish and didn’t know a lick of Korean were absolutely fascinated and obsessed with these K-pop groups. So one day, when I came back to the office from lunch, the kids saw me and asked me if I was from Korea and if I was a K-pop singer. I initially told them yes, that I am an uber-famous Kpop singer and that I personally knew all their favorite group members. Unable to keep a straight face, I started dying laughing and told them that no I am Japanese-American and that I am just one of the interns. However, it didn’t seem to matter. Word seem to spread of a guy that resembled something close of a K-pop singer and eventually they started to swarm me asking me for autographs. I could not stop laughing. They asked me to sign my name in English and in Japanese and to write their names in Japanese. After signing about 30 autographs, each in 2 different languages, the swarm of papers shoved in my face subsided. I had no idea that K-pop was huge in South America and this was without a doubt, a hilarious experience for me.
Living in a country with a completely different culture and language is sure to provide your fair share of cultural shocks. Personally, that’s exactly what makes everyday here so captivating. As I near my departure back to the United States, I hope to continue to immerse myself in Bolivian culture and get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Until then, Ciao!
