Interesting Cultural Differences

Despite a trip to Africa, I wouldn't consider myself an international traveler. However one trip is more then enough to offer some insight into some interesting cultural differences.  I'll caution you now; this conversation is going to sink into potty talk. I’ll keep it clean as long as possible.

Boda-Boda

In my limited personal experience traveling abroad, and from what I’ve seen in pictures and on television, the mode of taxi around the world is either by automobile or some form of rickshaw. In Uganda, if you hail a taxi, you get a motorcycle. Or what they call a Boda-Boda.  They are EVERYWHERE. It seemed like there were at least a dozen of Boda-Bodas on every corner just waiting on customers. And when I say everywhere I mean it. Whether you are in the bustling city of Kampala or in a quiet village setting, there was a Boda-Boda everywhere you looked.  And everyone rode, and sometimes, everyone rode one Boda-Boda at the same time.  It was a surreal sight to see the Boda-Boda driver, then dad behind him, and mom (riding side-saddle) behind dad, and their infant child squished in between them, all piled onto a tiny little motorcycle.  Carrie and I were fortunate to experience a ride when we rode a short distance from the Canaan school back to the Canaan compound. It was fun.

Mzungu!

You know you were being noticed by the locals, especially the kids when you hear, "Mzungu!" Literally translated it means “White Person”.  It became an endearing term that I think collectively we started to expect after a while and honestly it was almost strange to go to Ethiopia and not hear it anymore.  It was pretty neat to see these little kids faces light up when we walked by and they would yell Mzungu with giant smiles!  It kind of became that thing that helped get the day off to a good start!  Cultural difference? Perhaps not, but there is definitely a distinction when in some countries where foreigners might not be looked upon so highly, and at best are ignored.


Okay, I’ve run out of clean material; sorry you’ve been warned…

Short Calls vs. Long Calls

When nature calls the most PC way distinguish, if absolutely needed in the States, is point out number 1 or number 2.  In Africa, and as I understand it, in a lot of the rest of the world, you’re either on a short call or long call. Aptly named depending on whether or not your “call” is quick or not.  Our team got disturbingly comfortable with these terms as soon as we learned them. In no time flat, there wasn’t an ounce of shame between us.

Bathroom Procedures
Luckily, for the vast majority of our trip we were lucky to have western style commodes available to us.  However, in a great number of the places we visited, the only toilets available were what were affectionately coined: “squatty potties”.  While these aren’t uncommon around the world, they came as quite a shock to many in our party. I was one of the fortunate ones who for some reason didn’t get the opportunity to use one.  Carrie on the other hand can testify that in Uganda, there are separate squatty potties for short and long calls!

I’ve saved the best worst for last. Adopting the short call and long call term was easy.  Using a squatty potty took a few tries to get used to but was doable. I’m speaking for myself, but I’m pretty sure the one toilet procedure that none of us really got used to was the flush. Or more accurately, what didn’t get flushed.  Toilet paper does not get flushed! There was a small trash can next to every toilet. Thankfully these cans were emptied daily.  This might not be a horrific thing until you realize that bathrooms were shared.

Looking back, it’s no wonder all of us on the team have become the best of friends. When you don’t have a choice but to throw your expectations of comfort, along with a small bit of your dignity, out the window, bonding will happen whether you want it or not!