Absurdness is Relative

In the same thinking as my writing in my post “No One Can Understand,” it is true that there are many facts of life in a different culture in a different state of development that we do not automatically understand.  And after living very much in that world for about 10 months, I sometimes take that fact for granted.  While planning visits to Peru, I was asked two questions that seem quite reasonable through our US perspective but sounds nothing short of absurd to me through my Peru perspective.  So I thought those things would be interesting to share. 

1.  “Should we rent a car while I’m there?” 

       When traveling in a first world nation, renting a car to do so can be a great way to go.  So when thinking of being in Peru for 2 weeks and visiting various places in 4 departments during that time, having a car to do so would make since, right?  Until you take into account the horrific driving behavior, few personal cars, and state of many of the cars on the road.  Driving or even riding in Peru is quite seriously taking your life in your own hands (see Honking post coming soon).  Lanes do not exist, including lanes of oncoming traffic.  Until there is an oncoming vehicle forcing you to stay on the other side, it is just more open road.  Stop lights, speed limits and any other traffic sign is merely a suggestion.  After even just seeing the Panamerican highway or being in a rural community for even one day, it is easy to see that renting a car to travel Peru is not a great option.  From that perspective, I found this question humorous.  But from the US perspective, it makes good sense. 

2. “I think I’m going to bring a hair dryer. Wait, do you have a hair dryer?”

Likewise, my initial reaction to this question was to giggle.  I have very few electronics by American standards.  My electricity use is 100% accounted for in keeping my phone and computer charged and when I have lights turned on.  I do not use anything else electric and just with those I have noticeably increased my family’s monthly electricity bill.  The only items my family uses that have to be plugged in are the rice cooker, the occasional use of the microwave and occasional use of the refrigerator, occasional use of a fan, and the almost constant use of the television.  Think about the number of electrical appliances in any given American home: fans, lamps, hair dryers/straightners/curling iron/curlers, iron, washing machine, dryer, dish washer, refrigerator, toaster, microwave, mixer, computers, internet… 

The 2^nd thought about the hair dryer is it is hot.  I live in a hot coastal community without any air conditioning.  90 degrees without any air conditioning is hot.  The idea of standing there and blowing hot air onto my head and into the room for 10 minutes sounds cringe worthy.  And even in the winter when the heat wouldn’t knock you out, you then go about your day, walking a few miles just from organization to organization for your job – sweat, humidity, life.  Drying your hair would take a lot of work for a few seconds of pretty hair. 

If you knew me in the states the idea that I may have a hair dryer to occasionally blow out my curls is not absurd.  But given the context of my life, I will happily throw my frizzy curls into a bun and go on with my day ;)