At the time my dad was on a crew team and for some reason that escapes me a Russian team came over to compete, or was sponsored by my dad's team to come, can't really remember all the details. I remember very clearly though my dad's description of all the things the Russian team (still part of the USSR at that time) was trying to find ways to buy and sneak back to mother Russia. At the time, my world was very small and sheltered, I didn't understand why they didn't have any of the things they were trying to smuggle back. It just seemed funny to me. I couldn't understand why they didn't just go to the grocery store and get the stuff they wanted when they got back home.
Well now I understand. Uruguay is no cold war Russia, times have changed for sure, it's a
third world country more advanced than many others, and thanks to globalization has almost everything available that you would need to live comfortably. There are still differences though, and a lot of things you don't notice you miss until you see them again, like Nestle chocolate chips, or really good quality diapers... Uruguay is really great, standard of living is really good, but when I walked into Walmart after only two months of being out of the country I was overwhelmed by the overabundance of everything. I found it hard to concentrate on the list and found myself quickly adding all kinds of things that I didn't remember needing before leaving Uruguay. How easy it is to lose perspective, I don't need any more things, it's so much easier when they just are not available for purchase.
third world country more advanced than many others, and thanks to globalization has almost everything available that you would need to live comfortably. There are still differences though, and a lot of things you don't notice you miss until you see them again, like Nestle chocolate chips, or really good quality diapers... Uruguay is really great, standard of living is really good, but when I walked into Walmart after only two months of being out of the country I was overwhelmed by the overabundance of everything. I found it hard to concentrate on the list and found myself quickly adding all kinds of things that I didn't remember needing before leaving Uruguay. How easy it is to lose perspective, I don't need any more things, it's so much easier when they just are not available for purchase.
10 comments:
Someone once said that life would be much easer if we live by the KISS principle,(keep it simple)
I keep thinking I want to become a minimalist, then I see something and think, "if only i had that for...." I than realize it is "too hard" for me to do. However, i am getting better about de-junking my life.
A group of teenage Russian violinists came through the DC area when I was fourteen or fifteen. My parents hosted a few of them at our house. One afternoon my mother took them to the grocery store. The stood in awe at the produce section, taking picture after picture.
Newspaper Ads can really get you. You don't realize you need (want) anything until you peruse the ads. Now I make it a habit not to even look. Great post z. Makes us think.
It's funny but sad that you have to bring an extra suitcase just to fill with diapers! Hope you were able to get everything back that you want!
I'm having a mini version of the same problem - going from Wegmans to a regular grocery store.
I think I'd be taking photos of Wegmans' produce section, were I able to actually visit one again!
Conveniences are nice, but there is much to be gained from a simple lifestyle! Easier to clean your house, children who don't need a ton of toys to entertain themselves, so much less laundry...the list goes on. Now, if I could just figure out how to implement the simple life in spite of the conveniences. LOL.
I haven't looked on here in forever! Those pictures were so cute! They are getting so much older! I LOVED the one of Zach biking them around. It was SO cute! It looked like so much fun!
very good point. we DO live in the "age of convenience".
It's like when you move you spend so much effort packing it all up, throwing some of it out only to get to the new house and not unpacking the bulk of things (or leaving them in storage for 6mos+).... eventually you dig in to these things and wonder why you ever spent the time packing it up in the first place! I know you guys went through that.
haha. ahhh... we are so silly sometimes. Defragging your life is good.
you're a good man Zac! I'm sure all at home appreciated your shopping sprees.... and we are hoping you got some good nights sleep in Florida!
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