I think if I got to go anywhere in the world, I would try to visit a culture that is most unlike the one we all live in, one that doesn't rely on things like: computers, cars, cell phones, one almost completely untouched by technology.  As far as things I would bring, well, I'd want to bring as little as possible with me, not only to live the way the people of that culture would live it, but also to not disrupt the culture, to someone who doesn't know what a cell phone is, it could be seen as something evil.  So, what would I bring?  Although I might have expressed a strong dislike of the idea, I would bring a cell phone with me, for no other reason than to contact someone in case of an emergency.  In this thought I would also like to add on that I would bring medicine that might help in the case of an emergency.  Other then that the only thing I really need is clothing, used to keep me warm, as if you already didn't know that.

As far as what will sustain me while I'm there, I would rely on living as the people of the culture do and do what they do for there food, shelter, water, and other necessities of life.

Finally, I do think some of the things I like will be understandable, but I also think that more won't translate, things such as clothing, in a culture that is less advanced they might see clothing as not only a tool to keep their bodies warm but also to blend in with their surroundings during activities such as hunting, needless to say a bright red shirt would not work as effectively at this as it would in our use for clothing.

Having both of my parents in the Air Force, I was fortunate enough to have travelled quite a bit already. I lived in Germany and Korea, both for two years, so I have visited France, Belgium, China, and other nearby countries of those places. If I could go somewhere for at least six months, I would go to Egypt. I have never been there, but as a child, I was always really fascinated by their ancient culture.
The culture would be completely new to me because I have never been to Africa. However, I do think that I would be used to being immersed in cultures that I am not familiar with. This would help me stay openminded, because, as others have stated, that is very important. I would take books important to Egyptian culture and history so I could learn by reading and through experience of just being around the people there. As someone mentioned in another post, I think buying food and clothing there would help me get the full experience and be more respectful.
I would also bring my laptop and WiFi to stay connected to family and the rest of the world, and also to update loved ones on my experiences. I would keep a journal to record feelings and new encounters so that I could go back later and remember. I would also take with me a camera (both still and video for different occasions), to share and remember my time in Egypt.
I am not sure how translatable the things I enjoy would be to the Egyptian culture. The films I like may not be relatable, because they may not understand American culture. Just as I may not fully understand their stories and entertainment. When I lived in Korea, my sister and I purchased folk stories and children's books, translated to English. One of the stories was about a tiger snooping around a small town in search of some food. The tiger creeped up to a window and listened as a mother bribed her child to go to bed by giving him a persimmon. The tiger assumed the persimmon was a stronger beast and the child went to bed so that the persimmon would not get him. The tiger became paranoid and ran away so that the persimmon would not get him. I assumed that this story made as much sense to me as "The Little Mermaid" might to a Korean child.
To really know how my likes would translate, I would have to learn more of their present culture. After having read "Shakespeare in the Bush," I can see how, though I may think my likes are universal, they may not be.

If I could travel to a new and unfamiliar area it would probably be Pakistan. This is a very complicated area to travel to but my father is from Pakistan so thats basically why I would love to go. I think I would definitely have to bring some knowledge of Islam since 97% of Pakistanis are muslim. I would probably bring books such as the Koran and books about the history of Pakistan and India so as i would experience the cultural shock I could have some guide to inform me on the basic history of the country and the culture. Someone in an earlier blog also mentioned having an openmind which anyone will need when going out of their comfort zone. I completely agree with that person because if you can't embrace the differences of one's culture you seem to be ignorant and you really actually miss out on learning a new way of life and tradition.

Spain

If I were to immerse myself in a culture I would most likely choose Spain. Before I'd go, I would study Spanish for a few months. I would bring a dictionary along anyways though to be on the safe side. I feel like if you are going to go to a country you should try to learn the language if possible. Although the majority of the population knows English, you never know, the most interesting person might be a 70 year old man who speaks only Spanish and Catalan. I would of course bring my flamenco guitar, as well as the basic necessities. I would not take any form of entertainment such as my computer or ipod. I want to go there with the bare minimum, so that I focus completely on my time there. 

 I absolutely love flamenco and think it surpasses all other music in terms of emotion, energy, beauty, and intensity. You have never really heard flamenco until you have seen it with amazing dancers and beautiful singers. Just watching it on Youtube won't do it justice. I have seen only a few flamenco shows, all of which were mindblowing. My first experience, I saw the greatest guitarist on the face of the planet, Paco De Lucia. It was truly amazing to see a flawless player just shred his heart out with wonderful dancers, percussionists, singers and other guitarists at his side. However the second show I saw I enjoyed much more. Two of my guitar teachers played in the show alongside others. It was in a small black room with only thirty people at most, but the show was phenomenal. What I loved about this show was that the dancers were central figures not Paco or a single guitarist. It was also amazing to be so close to the raw energy of the dancing. And although you cannot understand a word anyone says, you can't help but feel it. At one point in the show I looked around the room and noticed how immersed the crowd was. Some women and even men were crying as others just sat there with a look of amazement. So now you know how I feel about flamenco.

I most likely would get some sort of job there, whatever I could find to sustain myself. I would try to live frugally and not eat out every other night or buy lots of souvenirs. I'd like to find out which towns had a large flamenco influence and go and live there. Id probably live in a few different places, although finding several different jobs would be tough Im sure. My dream would be to go to many juerga jam sessions and play from dusk until dawn. Apparently it is common for people to hang out at a restaurant and once the food is eaten and they've had a few drinks, to bust out the guitars and set up a stage. Then whoever can play plays, and whoever can dance dances. No concerts, or tickets, or lineups. That is real flamenco. 

Pretty much all that I like is enjoyed there as well. Other than flamenco, I love good food. Who doesn't? Making Electronic music is also a passion of mine, and Ibiza(a beautiful Island in the Mediterranean) is a Mecca for good clubs, beach parties and dancing. Although that would not be the focus of my trip a few days spent in Ibiza would be lots of fun. I cannot really think of one thing I enjoy that no Spaniard would know of. 

Iraq

I would like to goto Iraq to see my tax dollars at work. I would imagine I will need to get some vaccines before I leave.

I would prefer not to bring anything with me that will relieve any culture shock I may experience. I want a pure unadulterated look at what it is like to live in Iraq in 2008. The only luxury would be currency since I won't be staying long enough to seek employment.

Although all 140,000 US troops can speak english most Iraqi's speak arabic or Kurdish. Two languages I don't know. Without a translator they won't be able understand anything I have to say, let alone things I like. Many of my main interests involve the state of the world today, many of these concepts will be readily understood by many. I am interested to try and understand their view points on the problems in the world.

India

I have always thought that India seemed like such a beautiful and colorful place, rich with culture.  On my leave of six months to this country, I would bring enough money to get me through the first few months and very little clothing, as I would really like to acquire most of what I need, such as clothing, food, etc. while I'm there.  I want to live the way the people of India live.  And because I know absolutely nothing about the culture as of now, I would really want to read up and study books about the people, language, food, animals, ceremonies, etc. to get a basic understanding of this way of life.  I would need somewhere to stay, but I wouldn't want to stay in a hotel.  I would probably just wing it and hope I met someone kind enough to share their home.  Or I could bring a tent and just live that way until I found a more stable living situation.  So in that case, I would also bring a very warm blanket and a pillow or two.  I should probably bring some sunblock, too.  And bug spray.  Just in case.  Also, I would need a map.  

To sustain myself while here, I would bring my camera and tons of film.  I would want to document every moment spent in this beautiful country.  I would also bring paints and canvas because I have a feeling I would be very easily inspired while in India.  If it's allowed, I would also bring my mother on this adventure with me because I know that she would enjoy learning about and studying this culture just as much as I would.  I would bring a journal and stamps to record my experiences and to write to friends and family.  I would bring many, many books and I would bring my guitar and music with me, as well.  

I do think that my likes would be translatable in this country because the majority of what I like has to do with different forms of art and art has a very universal allure and importance.

Discourse!

Whatever universe a professor believes in must at any rate be a universe that lends itself to lengthy discourse. A universe definable in two sentences is something for which the professorial intellect has no use. No faith in anything of that cheap kind!

--William James from "Pragmatism: A New Name for
Some Old Ways of Thinking Thinking"(1907)




I’d really like this blog to help us to create a class discourse. Any extra activity on the blog can help to supplement your overall course participation grade. I encourage you to read other people's posts and to comment on them.

Also, I’ve started adding labels to people’s posts. I'll probably hand that duty over to you soon. Feel free to change labels if you don't like them. I encourage you to add labels since, I think, the they will help to create ties between blogs.

Also, I’m not really an expert in adding multimedia to blogs, but if you’d like to add a video, song, story, a relevant story from the NY Times (for example), or something else that you think is relevant to the material that we’re covering in class and you know how to do so, then feel free to post it on the blog.

I repeat: any extra activity on the blog that shows that you are engaging with the course materials can supplement your course participation grade.