I have noticed an interesting phenomenon in the expat community here in Uruguay. Among people who have chosen to live in a country other than that of their birth, it is conspicuous how many of these people have nothing but negative things to say about their first country. For example, some people who have lived most of their lives in the United States move here for a change of pace or a more affordable retirement. They then rail against the U.S. and all it stands for. Personally, I think the U.S. stands for some pretty great things. Yes, it is not without its problems, but if you are looking for a country without problems, keep looking and let me know if you find it. It sure ain’t Uruguay.
My explanation for this phenomenon is cognitive dissonance. All types of people emigrate for very valid reasons. But, a lot of them then support and rationalize their decision to leave the United States by putting it down. This rationalization allows them to avoid any discord in their own heads about the bold decision they made to move to another country.
I keep this blog neither as a platform for my views or as my own personal soapbox. So what does the above have to do with it? Well, we have bought a house here. And for the record, it is not because we are anti-U.S. We are absolutely not. We just like it here – for now. Home may be where you hang your hat, but the home in my heart will always be the United States of America.
That said, pictures and a virtual house tour will be forthcoming. We have been preoccupied with moving and getting settled in to our new home – our very first owned together. Now you know why I have neglected this blog for nearly a month. This is not the end of the blog though! I will keep it updated with our continued adventures in South America and home ownership Uruguayan style.
My explanation for this phenomenon is cognitive dissonance. All types of people emigrate for very valid reasons. But, a lot of them then support and rationalize their decision to leave the United States by putting it down. This rationalization allows them to avoid any discord in their own heads about the bold decision they made to move to another country.
I keep this blog neither as a platform for my views or as my own personal soapbox. So what does the above have to do with it? Well, we have bought a house here. And for the record, it is not because we are anti-U.S. We are absolutely not. We just like it here – for now. Home may be where you hang your hat, but the home in my heart will always be the United States of America.
That said, pictures and a virtual house tour will be forthcoming. We have been preoccupied with moving and getting settled in to our new home – our very first owned together. Now you know why I have neglected this blog for nearly a month. This is not the end of the blog though! I will keep it updated with our continued adventures in South America and home ownership Uruguayan style.
Hi Kathryn and Cesar:
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to applaud you re: your observation about people ranting against the USA... I too feel that although my physical home is here in Uruguay my heart's home will always be in the USA and I wasn't born there but I should have been! I'm a very proud naturalized US citizen! Of course every country has its problems and the USA has it's share, but much less than most countries! You need to live in a few different ones to appreciate and treasure the USA and all it stands for and it offers its fortunate citizens.
Congratulations on being first-time home owners and in Uruguay to boot!... Brave young people you are! Keep living your adventures that's what life is all about!
Let's try to get together when the dust settles... I was away in my beloved USA for two and a half weeks - just arrived...BRRR!
Take care, Cristina (and Wilfredo)
Love the blog. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOnce you've lived abroad long enough as an expat(or as I prefer to call myself, a "transplant"), you see the cog. disonance cycle repeating in families you meet all the time: honeymoon phase (when everything different from your old life gets compared negatively to your new life i.e. you're distancing yourself from the hard decision you took to leave everything you know (perhaps too well, but anyway that's a whole different issue!);then comes the "adjusting to the new place phase" when you find the things that make you feel at home in the new place, but realize that you don't need "home" to be exactly like it was before - you've grown and you can learn to appreciate your new surroundings, but you still get frequent shipments / deliveries of those few essentials (cranberries...?! maple syrup?!); finally, it's time for the "make or break" phase - the mid-life crisis time: were we right to move here? what were we thinking? things are really so much better at home (the "real home" - even though only months before, we roaringly declared that home is wherever we are). This midlife crisis point usually comes after an extended visit home, where you realize home is a place where you really fit in and don't have to spend so much mental energy understanding norms, culture, etc...if you make it through the crisis stage without having an affair (is browsing housing sites at home the same as actually planning to move home?)...chances are you'll stay in your "new" home, which now is ok as "home" because you feel comfortable and happy. IF, however, you succumb to the temptations of the "next step" (be it moving home or moving on)...you're exactly right: it's time to disconnect and distance yourself from all that was good in order to make the decision easier. EVERY place has it's good and bad...but focusing on the bad helps us to feel better about our decision to leave what was good.
ReplyDeleteOnce we taste the sweet alure of a new fruit...once you leave your home town, especially when you do it knowingly, consciously, etc., you open up pandora's box of possibilities and let's face it: once you say "I can live somewhere else", then it's HARD to decide where to live...and you do whatever it takes to make yourself feel good about the decision. Seems like your love of the good ol USA is prob. a great sign that you're doing OK with being here. Welcome!!!
Thanks for the comments, Anonymous. Do I know you?
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